"Alif. Lām. Mīm." Hizi ni herufi tatu tofauti za Kiarabu ambazo hutokea mwanzoni mwa baadhi ya sura za Qur'ani. Kwa mtazamo wetu, zimekusudiwa kuwatahadharisha wasikilizaji kwamba herufi kama hizi ndizo malighafi ambayo kitabu hicho cha kiungu alichopewa Nabii ﷺ, yaani Qur'ani, kimetengenezwa nazo. Herufi hizi zinajulikana kwa Waarabu ambao huzitumia kutunga chochote wanachotaka kueleza. Hata hivyo, hawawezi kutunga kitu chochote kama kitabu hiki cha kiungu, kwa sababu si utunzi wa binadamu yeyote; mwandishi wake ni Mungu.

“Alif. Lām. Mīm.” These are three of the separate Arabic letters that occur at the beginning of some Qur’ānic sūrahs. In our view, they are meant to alert the audience to the fact that such letters are the material from which the divine book given to the Prophet, i.e. the Qur’ān, is made. They are familiar to the Arabs who use them to compose whatever ideas they wish to express. Yet they cannot compose anything like this divine book, because it is of no man’s composition; its author is God.

Sūrah zinazoanza kwa herufi hizi zilizotengana daima huzungumzia Qur'ani, ama mara moja baada ya herufi hizi au baadaye, kama ilivyo katika sūrah hii.

Sūrahs that start with such separate letters always speak about the Qur’ān, either immediately following these letters or later on, as is the case in the present sūrah.

Kwa hiyo, tunasoma katika aya zake: “Soma kile kilichofunuliwa kwako katika Kitabu.” (Aya 45) “Hivyo ndivyo Tulivyokufunulia Kitabu hiki.” (Aya 47) “Hukuwa ukiweza kusoma kitabu chochote kabla ya hiki, wala hukuwa ukiweza kukiandika kwa mkono wako wa kulia.” (Aya 48) “Je, haitoshi kwao kwamba Tumekufunulia Kitabu hiki kinachosomwa kwao?” (Aya 51) Ukweli kwamba marejeo ya Qur’ani na mtindo wake usioweza kuigwa yanatajwa daima katika sura hizi unathibitisha mtazamo wetu kuhusu herufi hizi zilizotengwa.

Hence, we read in its verses: “Recite what has been revealed to you of the book.” (Verse 45) “Thus it is that We have revealed this book to you.” (Verse 47) “Never have you been able to read a book before this, nor have you ever been able to transcribe one with your right hand.” (Verse 48) “Is it not enough for them that We have revealed to you this book which is being read out to them?” (Verse 51) The fact that references to the Qur’ān and its inimitable style are invariably made in these sūrahs confirms our view concerning these separate letters.

Mara baada ya utangulizi, sūrah inaanza kuzungumzia imani na mtihani mgumu ambao waumini hupitia ili imani yao iwe ya kweli. Inataja kwamba ni kupitia mtihani wa namna hii ndipo waumini wa kweli hutofautishwa na waongo: “Je, watu wanadhani kwamba mara watakaposema: ‘Sisi tunaamini’, wataachwa tu na hawatajaribiwa? Hakika tuliwajaribu wale waliokuwa kabla yao; na hakika Mwenyezi Mungu anawajua wale wanaosema kweli, na hakika anawajua waongo.” (Aya 2-3)

Dokezo la tatu ambalo sura inalipiga ni la kuwatuliza wale wanaotumaini kukutana na Mwenyezi Mungu, na kuimarisha uhusiano wao naye: "Yeyote anayetazamia kwa matumaini kukutana na Mwenyezi Mungu [na ajitayarishe kwa ajili yake]; kwani muda uliowekwa na Mwenyezi Mungu hakika utafika. Yeye ndiye Msikivu wa yote, Mjuzi wa yote." (Aya ya 5) Wale wanaotamani sana kukutana na Mwenyezi Mungu wanapaswa kuwa na moyo wa utulivu.

The third note the sūrah strikes is that of reassuring those who hope to meet with God and strengthening their bond with Him: “Whoever looks forward with hope to meeting God [let him be ready for it]; for the end set by God is bound to come. He alone hears all and knows all.” (Verse 5) Those who dearly hope to meet God should rest assured.

Wanapaswa kusubiri kwa uhakika ahadi Yake itimie. Wanaweza kuitazamia mradi tu wafanye hivyo kwa yakini kamili. Hii ni taswira yenye kutia moyo: mtu wa imani akiyatunza matumaini yake na kuitazamia kutimizwa kwa ahadi ya Mungu. Matarajio yake yanajibiwa kwa kuthibitishwa ukweli wake. Kisha linafuata hakikisho kwamba Mungu anajua kikamilifu matumaini yao yote: "Yeye pekee husikia yote na kujua yote." (Aya ya 5)

They should wait confidently for the fulfilment of His promise. They can look forward to it provided they do so with certitude. This is an inspiring image: a person of faith cherishing hopes and looking forward to the fulfilment of God’s promise. His aspiration is answered with confirmation of its truth. This is followed by the reassurance that God is fully aware of all their hopes: “He alone hears all and knows all.” (Verse 5)

Kisha sura inawaambia waumini wanaojitahidi kutekeleza wajibu wa imani, huku wakistahimili magumu ya kila aina, kwamba wao wanajitahidi kwa ajili yao wenyewe na kwa manufaa yao wenyewe. Kwa kufanya hivyo, wameyaweka mambo yao katika mwelekeo sahihi. Kuhusu Mwenyezi Mungu, Yeye hana haja na yeyote: "Na anayejitahidi, basi anajitahidi kwa ajili ya nafsi yake. Hakika Mwenyezi Mungu hana haja na walimwengu."

Then the sūrah states to those believers who strive to fulfil the duties of faith, enduring all manner of hardship, that they only strive for themselves and for their own good. By doing so they have set their affairs on the right course. As for God, He needs no one: “Whoever strives hard [for God’s cause] does so for his own good. For certain, God is in no need of anything in all the worlds.” (Verse 6)

Ni kweli kwamba Mwenyezi Mungu amewajaribu waumini na kuwaamuru wafanye bidii kubwa ili waweze kuvumilia dhiki kwa subira, lakini yote haya ni kwa manufaa yao wenyewe. Yamehakikisha faida yao duniani na pia katika maisha ya Akhera. Kufanya bidii, au jihadi, huimarisha mambo mema ya mtu, hupanua upeo wake, humfanya awe tayari kutoa uhai na mali yake, na pia huongeza sifa zake bora na uwezo wake. Yote haya hufanyika kwa mtu anayefanya bidii, kabla haijaleta faida zaidi kwa jamii ya waumini, kuboresha hali yake, kuimarisha ukweli ndani yake, na kufanya wema ushinde uovu miongoni mwao.

Sūrah hiyo kisha inataja aina ya mtihani ambao tayari tumeshautaja: ule wa mafungamano na uhusiano na jamaa na wapendwa. Inatoa mwongozo wazi na wa uamuzi katika hali ngumu kama hii:

The sūrah then refers to a type of test which we have already mentioned: that of ties and bonds with family and loved ones. It gives clear and decisive guidance in such a difficult situation:

Tumemuusia binadamu afanye wema kwa wazazi wake. Lakini wakikuhimiza umshirikishe Nami kitu ambacho huna ujuzi nacho, usiwatii. Marejeo yenu ni kwangu Mimi, nami nitakujulisha yale mliyokuwa mkiyafanya. Na wale walioamini na wakatenda mema, bila shaka tutawaingiza miongoni mwa watu wema. (Aya 8-9)

We have enjoined upon man goodness towards his parents: yet should they endeavour to make you associate as partner with Me something of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them. It is to Me that you shall all return, when I shall inform you about all that you were doing [in life]. As for those who believe and do righteous deeds, We shall most certainly admit them among the righteous. (Verses 8-9)

Wazazi ndio jamaa walio karibu zaidi kuliko jamaa wote. Wao hutoa mengi kwa watoto wao. Kwa hiyo, kuwafanyia wema wazazi wa mtu ni wajibu unaotakiwa kwa kila mtu. Kwa hakika, wazazi lazima watendewe kwa upendo, heshima, na kujali. Lakini inapokuja suala la wajibu wa mtu kwa Mungu, hawawezi kutiiwa kinyume Naye: "Tumemuusia mwanadamu wema kwa wazazi wake; lakini wakijitahidi kukufanya umshirikishe nami kitu ambacho huna ujuzi nacho, usiwatii." (Aya ya 8) Dhamana kuu ni ile ya pamoja na Mungu. Kwa hiyo, ikiwa wazazi wa mtu ni makafiri, wanapaswa kutendewa kwa kujali na wema, lakini wasitiiwe wala kufuatwa. Mara maisha haya ya sasa yanapokwisha, wote watarejea kwa Mungu: "Ni kwangu Mimi mtarejea nyote, kisha Nitakujulisheni yale mliyokuwa mkiyatenda [maishani]." (Aya ya 8)

Parents are the closest of all relatives. They give much to their children. Hence, to be kind to one’s parents is a duty required of everyone. Indeed parents must be treated with love, respect, and care. Yet when it comes to one’s duty towards God, they cannot be obeyed in opposition to Him: “We have enjoined upon man goodness towards his parents: yet should they endeavour to make you associate as partner with Me something of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them.” (Verse 8) The paramount bond is that with God. Hence, if one’s parents are unbelievers, they should be treated with care and kindness, but must not be obeyed or followed. Once this present life is over, all return to God: “It is to Me that you shall all return, when I shall inform you about all that you were doing [in life].” (Verse 8)

Wakati hukumu inapotolewa kati ya waumini na makafiri, waumini hujikuta kuwa ni kundi lililoshikamana sana, ijapokuwa wanaweza wasiwe na uhusiano wa damu: "Na wale walioamini na kutenda mema, bila shaka tutawaingiza miongoni mwa wema." (Aya ya 9) Basi, wale wanaodumisha uhusiano wao na Mwenyezi Mungu watakuwa pamoja katika jumuiya moja, kama walivyo kwa kweli. Mafungamano yanayoundwa na uhusiano wa damu na ndoa hayana tena nguvu; yanakoma pale maisha haya ya sasa yanapomalizika. Mafungamano kama hayo ni ya bahati tu na hayana maana halisi kwa sababu hayaunganishwi na kifungo kilicho imara zaidi na kisichoweza kukatika, nacho ni imani.

Sūra kisha inatupa picha ya watu wanaojinyenyekeza kwa unyonge wanapokabiliwa na dhuluma na ukosefu wa haki. Lakini wanapokuwa katika hali nzuri na rahisi, hujigamba kwa madai ya kujivunia.

The sūrah then gives us an image of people who yield abjectly when they face oppression and injustice. Yet, when the going is easy, they make boastful claims:

Miongoni mwa watu, kuna wale wanaosema: 'Tunamwamini Mungu,' lakini pale mmoja wao anapoteswa kwa ajili ya Mungu, huona kwamba dhuluma ya binadamu ni nzito kama adhabu ya Mungu. Hata hivyo, msaada kutoka kwa Mola wenu Mlezi ukija, hakika atasema: 'Sisi daima tulikuwa pamoja nanyi!' Je, Mungu hajui kikamilifu yaliyomo mioyoni mwa viumbe wote? Hakika Mungu anawajua wale wanaoamini kweli, na hakika anawajua wanafiki.

Among people, there are those who say: ‘We believe in God,’ yet when any of them is made to suffer in God’s cause, he thinks that oppression by man is as grievous as God’s punishment. However, should help from your Lord be forthcoming, he is sure to say: ‘We have always been with you!’ Is not God filly aware of what is in the hearts of all creatures? Most certainly God knows those who truly believe and most certainly He knows those who are hypocrites. (Verses 10-11)

Watu wa aina hii hutangaza imani yao wakati mambo yanapoonekana mazuri na wakati ujao unapoonekana wenye matumaini. Wao hudhani kwamba kukubali dini ya Mwenyezi Mungu ni jambo rahisi, na kwamba hilo halihitaji zaidi ya tamko fupi kabisa. Lakini, "pale mmoja wao anapoteswa kwa ajili ya dini ya Mwenyezi Mungu," kwa sababu ya tamko alilolitoa wakati kila kitu kilionekana kuwa rahisi, "yeye hudhani kwamba dhuluma ya binadamu ni nzito kama adhabu ya Mwenyezi Mungu." Hivyo, wao huingiwa na hofu, na viwango vyao vya kupima mambo pamoja na maadili yao huchanganyikiwa. Imani yao yenyewe hutikisika. Hudhani kwamba hakuna jambo baya zaidi kuliko dhuluma wanayoipata, hata adhabu ya Mwenyezi Mungu katika maisha ya Akhera. Hujiuliza kwa nini wavumilie mateso yasiyokoma wakati adhabu ya Mwenyezi Mungu haiwezi kuwa mbaya zaidi. Hivyo ndivyo wanavyolinganisha mateso yanayosababishwa na binadamu na adhabu ya Mwenyezi Mungu; lakini adhabu hiyo ni kitu ambacho hakuna mtu awezaye kukadiria.

Such people declare their belief when things look bright and the future rosy. They think that accepting God’s faith is easy and that it does not constitute more than making the briefest of declarations. Yet, “when any of them is made to suffer in God’s cause,” on account of the declaration they made when everything seemed easy “he thinks that oppression by man is as grievous as God’s punishment.” Thus, they panic and their standards and values become confused. Their very faith is shaken. They imagine that nothing could be worse than the oppression they are suffering, not even God’s punishment in the life to come. They wonder why they should endure such endless suffering when God’s punishment could not be any worse. Thus do they equate hardship caused by man with God’s punishment; yet the latter is something which no one can estimate.