قُلْ مَآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ وَمَآ أَنَا۠ مِنَ ٱلْمُتَكَلِّفِينَ 86
Translations
Say, [O Muḥammad], "I do not ask you for it [i.e., the Qur’ān] any payment, and I am not of the pretentious.
Transliteration
Qul mā asalukum alayhi min ajrin wa mā anā mina al-mutakallafīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is commanded to declare that he asks no compensation or payment from his people for conveying the message of Islam, and that he does not burden himself with fabrications or speak beyond what he has been commanded. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this ayah emphasizes the sincerity and integrity of the Prophet's mission—he seeks no worldly reward and does not engage in pretense or false claims, distinguishing the true message from false prophets who seek material gain.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Saad, a Meccan chapter, during the early period when the Prophet faced intense opposition from the Quraysh who accused him of various motives. The broader context of this surah addresses the denials of the disbelievers and reaffirms the Prophet's authenticity and the truthfulness of his message despite ridicule and rejection.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (3:43:656) records that the Prophet said, 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family.' This complements the ayah by showing the Prophet's character of integrity. Additionally, Surah 25:57 contains a parallel statement: 'Say, "I do not ask you for this message any payment [except] affection for my near relatives."'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that true guidance comes from those who seek no personal gain, and it encourages us to examine the motives behind those we follow spiritually—authentic religious teaching should be driven by sincere concern for others' wellbeing, not material benefit. For preachers and scholars, it sets the standard that religious knowledge should be shared willingly without exploiting believers for wealth.