وَيَـٰقَوْمِ ٱعْمَلُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَكَانَتِكُمْ إِنِّى عَـٰمِلٌ ۖ سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ مَن يَأْتِيهِ عَذَابٌ يُخْزِيهِ وَمَنْ هُوَ كَـٰذِبٌ ۖ وَٱرْتَقِبُوٓا۟ إِنِّى مَعَكُمْ رَقِيبٌ 93
Translations
And O my people, work according to your position; indeed, I am working. You are going to know to whom will come a punishment that will disgrace him and who is a liar. So watch; indeed, I am with you a watcher, [awaiting the outcome]."
Transliteration
Wa ya qawmi'malu 'ala makanatikum inni 'amilun sawfa ta'lamun man ya'tihi 'adhabbun yukhzihi wa man huwa kadhibun wartaqibu inni ma'akum raqibun
Tafsir (Explanation)
Prophet Shu'ayb addresses his people with a confident challenge, commanding them to persist in their wrongdoing while he continues in his obedience to Allah, and affirming that time will reveal whose punishment is imminent and who is a liar. This ayah demonstrates Shu'ayb's unwavering conviction and patience, as noted by Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, presenting a stark contrast between the path of truth and falsehood, with the ultimate vindication belonging to those who follow divine guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Hud, which narrates the stories of various prophets and their peoples. This specific verse is part of Prophet Shu'ayb's final warning to the people of Madyan (Midian) before Allah's punishment befell them. It reflects the moment when Shu'ayb separates himself from their corruption and entrusts judgment to Allah.
Related Hadiths
The theme of patience in conveying the message relates to Hadith Qudsi wherein Allah praises those who remain steadfast: 'The most beloved of deeds to Allah is that which is done consistently, even if it is small' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, the concept of awaiting Allah's judgment connects to the Hadith: 'How wonderful is the affair of the believer, for all his affairs are good' (Sahih Muslim 2999).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that maintaining integrity and obedience to Allah despite opposition brings ultimate vindication, and that we should trust in Allah's justice rather than seek worldly validation. It reminds us that living righteously while surrounded by corruption requires conviction that truth will ultimately prevail.
Related Ayahs
وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ
Woe, that Day, to the deniers.
لَّهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ تُرْجَعُ ٱلْأُمُورُ
His is the dominion of the heavens and earth. And to Allāh are returned [all] matters.
إِن تَكْفُرُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ عَنكُمْ ۖ وَلَا يَرْضَىٰ لِعِبَادِهِ ٱلْكُفْرَ ۖ وَإِن تَشْكُرُوا۟ يَرْضَهُ لَكُمْ ۗ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ ۗ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُم مَّرْجِعُكُمْ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ
If you disbelieve - indeed, Allāh is Free from need of you. And He does not approve for His servants disbelief. And if you are grateful, He approves [i.e., likes] it for you; and no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. Then to your Lord is your return, and He will inform you about what you used to do. Indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts.
وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ فَسَقُوا۟ فَمَأْوَىٰهُمُ ٱلنَّارُ ۖ كُلَّمَآ أَرَادُوٓا۟ أَن يَخْرُجُوا۟ مِنْهَآ أُعِيدُوا۟ فِيهَا وَقِيلَ لَهُمْ ذُوقُوا۟ عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ ٱلَّذِى كُنتُم بِهِۦ تُكَذِّبُونَ
But as for those who defiantly disobeyed, their refuge is the Fire. Every time they wish to emerge from it, they will be returned to it while it is said to them, "Taste the punishment of the Fire which you used to deny."