Surah Ya Sin (Ya Sin) 36 : 21

Explanatory Note

It is apparent that the man did not command a position of honour, power or influence among his people. He was an ordinary person motivated by faith to travel from one end of the city to the other to make his stand clear.

“He said: My people! Follow these messengers. Follow those who ask you for no reward, and are themselves rightly guided.” (Verses 20-21)

Anyone who advocates such a message, seeking no gain or reward, must be honest and sincere. What else could motivate him to undertake such trouble, enduring such opposition, unless he was required to do so by God? Why would he bear such a burden, confronting people with a faith that is unfamiliar to them, exposing himself in the process to threats, ridicule and persecution when he stood to make no gain nor earn any benefit?

“Follow those who ask you for no reward, and are themselves rightly guided.” (Verse 21)

That they are guided aright is obvious: they advocate belief in the One God, following a clear system, and a faith that is free of ambiguity and superstition. Their way is clearly straight.