Surah Al-An'am — Verse 90

Word Meanings:

• Hudā (هدى): Divine guidance and direction to the truth.
• Iqtadih (اقتدِه): Follow his example, emulate his path.
• Ajr (أجر): Reward, payment, or compensation.
• Dhikrā (ذكرى): A reminder, admonition, or counsel that awakens the heart.

Tafsir (Explanation):

This verse concludes the mention of a distinguished group of prophets—among them Ibrahim, Ishaq, Ya'qub, Nuh, Dawud, Sulayman, Ayyub, Yusuf, Musa, Harun, Zakariyya, Yahya, and 'Isa (peace be upon them all). Allah states that these noble messengers were the ones whom He Himself guided to the truth, chose for His message, and honored with His revelation. They were not guided by their own efforts alone, but by Allah's grace and mercy upon them.

Then comes the divine command to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): "So follow their guidance." This means to emulate their path in the fundamentals of faith—pure monotheism (Tawhid), patience in the face of hardship, and unwavering submission to Allah's will. The specific laws and legislations differed from one prophet to another, but the core message remained one: worship Allah alone and remain steadfast upon His covenant. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is thus instructed to walk in their footsteps, for he is their brother and the seal of their line, carrying the same essential call.

Allah then instructs His Prophet to declare to the disbelievers: "Say: I do not ask you for any reward for it." The Prophet (peace be upon him) was not seeking worldly compensation, wealth, status, or any personal gain from delivering the Qur'an. His reward was with Allah alone. This was the same attitude of all the prophets before him—they never sought payment for their guidance, for the message itself was a mercy and a gift to humanity.

Finally, Allah describes the Qur'an: "It is nothing but a reminder to the worlds." The Qur'an is not a source of burden or a means of exploitation; it is a pure, universal reminder—an admonition that awakens hearts, opens minds, and calls all of creation—humans and jinn alike—to reflect upon their purpose, to turn back to their Creator, and to embrace the path that leads to eternal success.

A Call to Reflection and Action:

Dear reader, ponder the beauty of this verse: the prophets of Allah, despite their immense status, never asked people for anything in return for their guidance. They gave everything—their time, their effort, their very lives—for the sake of Allah and for your salvation. And the final Prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon him), followed the same noble path. He endured persecution, hardship, and sacrifice, not for wealth or power, but purely out of love for humanity and obedience to his Lord.

The Qur'an is not a book to be read and forgotten; it is a living reminder, a light that illuminates the darkness of ignorance and sin. It calls you to the most beautiful truth: that there is no god but Allah, and that true peace lies in submitting to Him. Let this reminder touch your heart today. Do not let the distractions of this world veil you from the purpose of your existence. Respond to this call with sincerity, and you will find a peace that no worldly treasure can provide. The door of repentance is open, and the mercy of Allah is vast—so take the first step towards Him, and He will come to you running.