قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِن كُنتُ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّى وَرَزَقَنِى مِنْهُ رِزْقًا حَسَنًا ۚ وَمَآ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُخَالِفَكُمْ إِلَىٰ مَآ أَنْهَىٰكُمْ عَنْهُ ۚ إِنْ أُرِيدُ إِلَّا ٱلْإِصْلَـٰحَ مَا ٱسْتَطَعْتُ ۚ وَمَا تَوْفِيقِىٓ إِلَّا بِٱللَّهِ ۚ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْهِ أُنِيبُ 88
Translations
He said, "O my people, have you considered: if I am upon clear evidence from my Lord and He has provided me with a good provision from Him...? And I do not intend to differ from you in that which I have forbidden you; I only intend reform as much as I am able. And my success is not but through Allāh. Upon Him I have relied, and to Him I return.
Transliteration
Qala ya qawmi araaytum in kuntu ala bayyinatin min rabbi wa razaqani minhu rizqan hasanan wa ma uridu an ukhalifakum ila ma anhaytakum anhu in uridu illa al-islaha ma istataatu wa ma tawfeeqi illa billah alayhi tawakkaltuwwa ilayhi aneeb
Tafsir (Explanation)
Prophet Shu'ayb addresses his people, affirming that he stands upon clear evidence from his Lord and has been blessed with good provision, yet does not desire to contradict them by doing what he forbade them from. He clarifies his sole intention is reform (islah) to the best of his ability, while acknowledging that all success comes only from Allah, upon whom he relies and to whom he returns. This statement encapsulates Shu'ayb's sincere call and his rejection of accusations that he pursued personal gain or harbored hidden motives—he merely sought their well-being while maintaining complete trust in Allah's guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the account of Prophet Shu'ayb's message to the people of Madyan (Midian), who were known for fraudulent business practices and the rejection of divine guidance. Shu'ayb responds to their mockery and accusations by asserting his integrity and the purity of his intentions. The broader context of Surah Hud (a Meccan surah) presents multiple prophetic narratives emphasizing patience, conviction, and reliance on Allah despite opposition.
Related Hadiths
The concept of sincerity (ikhlas) in this ayah relates to the hadith: 'Actions are but by their intentions, and each person shall have what they intended' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, the theme of tawakkul (reliance on Allah) echoes the hadith: 'Verily, Allah loves those who rely upon Him' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi).
Themes
Key Lesson
Shu'ayb's declaration teaches believers that true da'wah and moral guidance must be accompanied by sincere intentions, personal integrity, and complete reliance on Allah rather than concern for worldly gain or acceptance. For modern readers, this emphasizes that all efforts toward good should be rooted in divine trust and humble acknowledgment that success belongs only to Allah, freeing one from anxiety about outcomes or others' judgments.
Related Ayahs
قَالُوا۟ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتَ مَا لَنَا فِى بَنَاتِكَ مِنْ حَقٍّ وَإِنَّكَ لَتَعْلَمُ مَا نُرِيدُ
They said, "You have already known that we have not concerning your daughters [i.e., women] any claim [i.e., desire], and indeed, you know what we want."
وَإِنَّ كُلًّا لَّمَّا لَيُوَفِّيَنَّهُمْ رَبُّكَ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ
And indeed, each [of the believers and disbelievers] - your Lord will fully compensate them for their deeds. Indeed, He is Aware of what they do.
يَـٰقَوْمِ لَآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنِىٓ ۚ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ
O my people, I do not ask you for it [i.e., my advice] any reward. My reward is only from the one who created me. Then will you not reason?
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ وَكَانَ عَرْشُهُۥ عَلَى ٱلْمَآءِ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا ۗ وَلَئِن قُلْتَ إِنَّكُم مَّبْعُوثُونَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ٱلْمَوْتِ لَيَقُولَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ إِنْ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ
And it is He who created the heavens and the earth in six days - and His Throne had been upon water - that He might test you as to which of you is best in deed. But if you say, "Indeed, you are resurrected after death," those who disbelieve will surely say, "This is not but obvious magic."