In verse 42:23, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) is given a unique command:
“Say: I do not ask you any reward for it except love of my near relatives.”
What the Prophet seeks no reward for is his mission—conveying Islam and calling humanity to it. Many prophets before him shared the same sentiment:
“I do not ask you any reward for it; my reward lies only with the Lord of all the worlds.” (26:109)
Similar declarations are found elsewhere, with God commanding the Prophet to say:
“I do not ask you any reward for it.” (38:86)
“Whatever reward I may have asked you is for your own good. My reward lies only with God…” (34:48)
“I do not ask you any recompense for it. It is just an admonition for all the nations.” (6:90)
“I do not ask you any reward for it, except that anyone who wishes should take the way to his Lord.” (25:57)
Each of these verses reinforces the selfless nature of the Prophet’s call. In verse 6:90, we see the Prophet’s role as a universal guide, needing no payment because his call benefits all nations. And verse 25:57 emphasizes free will—anyone drawn to his message is free to take their own path to God.
Why Love of the Prophet’s Near Relatives?
Verse 42:23 stands apart because it connects the Prophet’s reward not to wealth or material gain, but to love for his near relatives. This has led to rich discussions among Qur’anic scholars and commentators. One view, for example, suggests that “love of my near relatives” was addressed to the Quraysh, asking them to respect the Prophet out of family loyalty. But Allamah Tabataba’i challenges this, pointing out:
“Something can only be called a ‘reward’ if it is being offered in return for some work that has benefitted the one giving it… So, it makes no sense for the Prophet to ask the Quraysh for any reward while they were denying him and disbelieving in his message.”
Allamah Tabataba’i explores other interpretations before concluding that “love of my near relatives” refers to the Prophet’s immediate family—his ahl al-bayt. This view is reinforced by mutawatir (recurrent and widely transmitted) traditions from both Sunni and Shia sources, which uphold the love and loyalty to the Prophet’s family as a religious duty.
Why Ask for Love?
By making love for his family the sole “reward” for his message, the Prophet isn’t asking for a mere emotional response. Instead, he’s directing people toward his family as sources of religious guidance and knowledge. Loving the Prophet’s family would lead the faithful to turn to them for understanding the teachings of Islam, ensuring that his message remained alive and intact.
This request for love doesn’t contradict the Prophet’s other statements about seeking no reward. Instead, it highlights a unique form of reward—one that guarantees the continuity of his message.
Allamah Tabataba’i’s Interpretation
In his Tafsir al-Mizan (Ar. vol. 18), Allamah Tabataba’i explains:
“The meaning of the verse becomes: ‘I do not ask you any reward for it except that God has enjoined you to love the faithful, amongst whom are my near relatives. I consider your love for my relatives worship, and I consider it a reward for my conveying this message to you.’”
Through this lens, we see that the Prophet’s “reward” is about preserving his mission for the future. It’s an invitation for believers to embrace his family and uphold his teachings, passing them on for generations to come.