Surah Sad Ayat 86 (38:86 Quran) With Tafsir

Ala-Maududi

(38:86) (O Prophet), tell them: “I do not ask you for any recompense for the performance of this task;^[71] nor am I given to affectation.^[72]

71. That is, I am a selfless person: I have no vested interest in preaching this message.

72. That is, I am not one of those who arise with false claims for the sake of vanity and pose to be what actually they are not. The Prophet (peace be upon him) has not been made to say this merely for the information of the disbelievers of Makkah but this is testified by his whole life which he lived among the same people for forty years before his advent as a Prophet. Every child of Makkah was a witness that Muhammad (peace be upon him) was not an impostor. Never had anybody from among the people of Makkah ever heard anything from him which might have caused somebody the doubt that he aspired to be a great man and was planning and scheming for that end.

Ibn-Kathir

86. Say: “No wage do I ask of you for this, nor am I one of the Mutakallifin.” 87. “It is only a Reminder for all the creatures.” 88. “And you shall certainly know the truth of it after a while.”) Allah says: `Say, O Muhammad, to these idolators: I do not ask you to give me any reward from the goods of this world in return for the Message which I convey to you and the sincere advice I offer.’

(nor am I one of the Mutakallifin.) means, `and I do not add anything to that which Allah has told me. Whatever I am commanded to do, I do it, and I do not add anything or take anything away. By doing this I am seeking the Face of Allah and the Hereafter.’ Sufyan Ath-Thawri, narrated from Al-A`mash and Mansur from Abu Ad-Duha that Masruq said, “We went to `Abdullah bin Mas`ud, may Allah be pleased with him. He said, `O people! Whoever knows a thing should say it, and whoever does not know should say, `Allah knows best.”’ It is part of knowledge, when one does not know, to say “Allah knows best.” For Allah said to your Prophet :

(Say: “No wage do I ask of you for this, nor am I one of the Mutakallifin.”) This was reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.

(It is only a Reminder for all the creatures.) means, the Qur’an is a reminder for all those who are held accountable, men and Jinn. This was the view of Ibn `Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him. This Ayah is like the Ayat:

(that I may therewith warn you and whomsoever it may reach) (6:19), and

(but those of the sects that reject it, the Fire will be their promised meeting place) (11:17).

(And you shall certainly know the truth of it) means, `you will see confirmation that what he says is true.’

(after a while.) means, soon. Qatadah said, “After death. `Ikrimah said, “It means, on the Day of Resurrection.” There is no contradiction between the two views, because whoever dies comes under the rulings of the Day of Resurrection. This is the end of the Tafsir of Surah Sad. All praise and gratitude is due to Allah, and Allah may He be glorified and exalted, knows best.