وَمَآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ 127
Translations
And I do not ask you for it any payment. My payment is only from the Lord of the worlds.
Transliteration
Wa mā as'alukum 'alayhi min ajrin. In ajrī illā 'alā Rabbi al-'ālamīn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is the refrain repeated by multiple prophets (Nuh, Hud, Salih, Lut, and Shu'ayb) throughout Surah Ash-Shu'ara, declaring that they seek no material compensation from their people for conveying Allah's message. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this statement emphasizes the selflessness and sincerity of the messengers, establishing that their reward comes solely from Allah, the Lord of all worlds, not from the people they call to monotheism. This refrain serves as a powerful rhetorical device to highlight the purity of the prophets' intentions and refute any accusations that they were motivated by worldly gain.
Revelation Context
Surah Ash-Shu'ara is a Meccan surah revealed to strengthen the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the believers during the early period of severe persecution. The repetition of this refrain throughout the accounts of previous prophets serves as a source of encouragement, showing that all messengers faced similar opposition and hostility, yet remained steadfast in their mission without seeking material reward from those who rejected them.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The most beloved of deeds to Allah is to give comfort to a believer' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Additionally, the principle is reinforced in the hadith: 'Whoever calls to Allah, he is from the righteous' (At-Tirmidhi), emphasizing that sincere da'wah (calling to Allah) should be for Allah's sake alone.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that when engaged in any act of worship or service to Islam, the intention must be purely for Allah's pleasure and reward, not for worldly recognition or material benefit. It reminds us that true servants of Allah find their fulfillment and recompense in His approval alone, providing a model of spiritual integrity for all who call others to the faith.