وَمَا تَسْـَٔلُهُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ ۚ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَـٰلَمِينَ 104
Translations
And you do not ask of them for it any payment. It is not except a reminder to the worlds.
Transliteration
Wa maa tas'aluhum 'alayhi min ajrin, in huwa illa dhikrun lil-'alameen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) does not request any worldly compensation or payment from the people for delivering the Quran and his message. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the Quran is described as a 'reminder for all the worlds' (dhikr lil-'alameen), emphasizing its universal spiritual guidance that transcends material reward. The message serves humanity regardless of whether people acknowledge or compensate the messenger, highlighting the selfless nature of prophetic mission and the intrinsic value of divine revelation.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears near the conclusion of Surah Yusuf and reflects the broader Meccan context where the Prophet faced opposition and rejection from the Quraysh despite his message being entirely without personal material interest. It serves as a reminder to both the Prophet and believers that the Quran's purpose is spiritual guidance for all mankind, not commercial transaction.
Related Hadiths
The principle reflected here connects to the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it.' This emphasizes that the transmission of divine knowledge is a noble act without expectation of material reward.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should engage with Islamic knowledge and dawah (invitation to Islam) from sincere intention rather than worldly gain, understanding that the ultimate value lies in spiritual guidance and service to humanity. This ayah teaches that the greatest contributions to society are often those made without expectation of material compensation.
Related Ayahs
۞ رَبِّ قَدْ ءَاتَيْتَنِى مِنَ ٱلْمُلْكِ وَعَلَّمْتَنِى مِن تَأْوِيلِ ٱلْأَحَادِيثِ ۚ فَاطِرَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ أَنتَ وَلِىِّۦ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۖ تَوَفَّنِى مُسْلِمًا وَأَلْحِقْنِى بِٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ
My Lord, You have given me [something] of sovereignty and taught me of the interpretation of dreams. Creator of the heavens and earth, You are my protector in this world and the Hereafter. Cause me to die a Muslim and join me with the righteous."
وَلَمَّا فَصَلَتِ ٱلْعِيرُ قَالَ أَبُوهُمْ إِنِّى لَأَجِدُ رِيحَ يُوسُفَ ۖ لَوْلَآ أَن تُفَنِّدُونِ
And when the caravan departed [from Egypt], their father said, "Indeed, I find the smell of Joseph [and would say that he was alive] if you did not think me weakened in mind."
يُوسُفُ أَيُّهَا ٱلصِّدِّيقُ أَفْتِنَا فِى سَبْعِ بَقَرَٰتٍ سِمَانٍ يَأْكُلُهُنَّ سَبْعٌ عِجَافٌ وَسَبْعِ سُنۢبُلَـٰتٍ خُضْرٍ وَأُخَرَ يَابِسَـٰتٍ لَّعَلِّىٓ أَرْجِعُ إِلَى ٱلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ
[He said], "Joseph, O man of truth, explain to us about seven fat cows eaten by seven [that were] lean, and seven green spikes [of grain] and others [that were] dry - that I may return to the people [i.e., the king and his court]; perhaps they will know [about you]."
قَالَ سَوْفَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ لَكُمْ رَبِّىٓ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
He said, "I will ask forgiveness for you from my Lord. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful."