إِنِّى لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌ 178
Translations
Indeed, I am to you a trustworthy messenger.
Transliteration
Innī lakum rasūlun amīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This statement, spoken by Prophet Shuaib to his people, affirms his role as a trustworthy messenger sent by Allah. The word 'amīn' (trustworthy/faithful) emphasizes that he is honest, reliable, and faithful in conveying the divine message without distortion or personal bias. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that this phrase was used by multiple prophets (including Nuh, Hud, and Salih) to establish their credibility and address the people's doubts about their sincerity.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ash-Shu'ara, which recounts the stories of various prophets and their calls to their respective peoples. Surah 26:178 specifically records Prophet Shuaib's opening statement to the people of Madyan, establishing his divine mission and trustworthiness before delivering his message against their fraudulent business practices. The context is Meccan revelation, providing Prophet Muhammad and his followers with historical examples of prophetic steadfastness.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad said: 'I was sent with truthfulness and good character' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1962). Additionally, the concept of 'amanah' (trustworthiness) is emphasized in the hadith: 'The best of you are those with the best character' (Sahih Bukhari 3331), reflecting the essential quality of messengers.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that truthfulness and reliability are paramount qualities for anyone in a position of responsibility or leadership, whether spiritual or secular. We should aspire to be 'amīn' in our dealings—trustworthy stewards of knowledge, resources, and relationships—recognizing that our integrity is the foundation of our influence and effectiveness.