أَمْ تَسْـَٔلُهُمْ أَجْرًا فَهُم مِّن مَّغْرَمٍ مُّثْقَلُونَ 40
Translations
Or do you, [O Muḥammad], ask of them a payment, so they are by debt burdened down?
Transliteration
Am tas'aluhum ajran fahum min maghramim muthqalun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refutes the accusation that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was motivated by material gain in delivering the message of Islam. Allah asks rhetorically whether the Prophet is demanding a fee (ajr) from the people for his preaching, which would burden them with debt or loss (maghram). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this ayah emphasizes that the Prophet's mission is purely for the sake of Allah, without expectation of worldly compensation, thereby highlighting the sincerity and integrity of his prophetic call.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah At-Tur, a Meccan surah that addresses the disbelievers' objections to the Prophet's message. The broader context of verses 40-48 directly refutes several accusations made by the Meccan polytheists, including claims that the Prophet sought personal profit from his message. This reflects the early Meccan period when such accusations were common among the idolaters.
Related Hadiths
The principle embodied in this ayah is supported by the hadith from Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) in which the Prophet stated: 'I have been sent to all of you with a message,' emphasizing the universality and selflessness of his mission (Sahih Muslim). Additionally, the Quran repeatedly affirms in Surah Yasin (36:21) and elsewhere that the Prophet seeks 'no reward' except guidance of souls.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should recognize that true spiritual leadership and guidance are offered without expectation of worldly return, and this ayah calls us to examine our own intentions in serving Islam and others—ensuring our actions are motivated by sincere devotion to Allah rather than material gain or recognition.