Am tas-aluhum ajran fahum min maghramin muthqaloon (surah Tur: 40)

Tafseer Tafheem-ul-Quran by Syed Abu-al-A'la Maududi

(52:40) Or is it that you ask of them any recompense so that they should fear to be weighed down under the burden of debt? *31

Am tas`aluhum ajran fahum mim maghramim musqaloon

*31) The question is actually directed to the disbelievers. It means: "If the Messenger had a selfish motive and had been exerting only for a personal gain from you, there would be a rational ground for you to avoid him. But you yourselves know that he is absolutely selfless in his invitation and is exerting himself only for your own benefit and well-being. Then, how is it that you are not even inclined to listen to him with a cool mind ?" There is also a subtle hint in this question. Like the self-styled guides and guardians of religious shrines of the world, the religious guides, priests and scholars of the polytheists of Arabia also were engaged in a religious business. In view of the same, this question was put before them: "On the one hand, these dealers in religion are openly receiving gifts and offerings and fees for every religious service from you; on the other, a person who has ruined his trading business, is trying to show you the right way with highly rational arguments, absolutely selflessly. Is it not sheer senselessness that you shun him but run after them?"