Surah Hud — Verse 29

Word Meanings:

• "Alayhi" (upon it): Refers to the delivery of the message and calling them to faith.
• "Mal" (wealth): Payment or compensation for his efforts.
• "Ajriya" (my reward): My recompense or payment from Allah.
• "Tard" (driving away): Expelling or distancing the believers from his gathering.
• "Mulaqu Rabbihim" (meeting their Lord): They will stand before Allah on the Day of Judgment.
• "Tajhalun" (you are ignorant): Lacking understanding of Allah's command and the reality of the call.

Explanation of the Verse:

Prophet Nuh (peace be upon him) continues addressing his people with the utmost gentleness and sincerity, saying: "O my people! I do not ask you for any wealth in return for this call to monotheism and sincere worship of Allah alone. I am not seeking any worldly compensation from you—my reward is with Allah alone, for He is the One who recompenses His righteous servants."

Then he addresses a second accusation they had leveled against him. The wealthy and arrogant among his people had demanded that he drive away the poor and weak believers who had accepted his message, out of envy and pride. Nuh responds firmly: "I will never expel those who have believed, no matter their social status or wealth. They are the beloved servants of Allah, and they will surely meet their Lord on the Day of Judgment, where He will reward them for their faith and grant them what He has promised. As for those who drive them away, they will face the consequences of their injustice."

He concludes with a profound observation: "But I see that you are a people who are ignorant." This ignorance is not merely a lack of knowledge—it is a blindness to the truth, a failure to comprehend the nature of faith, the reality of the Hereafter, and the wisdom behind Allah's choice of whom He guides. They judged people by their outward appearance and wealth, while Allah judges by faith and sincerity.

A Call to Reflection:

This verse carries timeless lessons for every believer. It teaches us the purity of Prophetic character—the Prophets never sought material gain from their people; their only desire was the salvation of humanity. It also establishes a fundamental principle: the measure of a person's worth is their faith, not their wealth or status. The believers, no matter how poor or weak in the eyes of society, are honored in the sight of Allah.

Dear reader, reflect on the beauty of this message: Islam elevates the humble believer and rejects arrogance and class discrimination. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) followed the same path, sitting with the poor and the weak, honoring them, and teaching that the most noble among people are the most righteous. Let this verse inspire you to look beyond appearances, to value faith over fortune, and to know that your true worth lies in your relationship with your Creator. And remember—your reward is with Allah, so never let the criticism of the ignorant turn you away from the path of truth.