Aya hizi mbili ndizo zinazounda sehemu ya mwisho ya sūrah hii ya kina na ya ajabu, ndiyo ndefu kuliko zote katika Qur’ān. Maudhui yake yanagusa mambo mbalimbali pana na dhana, hukumu na kanuni za msingi za Kiislamu. Inaeleza asili na nafasi ya jumuiya ya Waislamu duniani, na inabainisha maadui wake na wanaoipinga, mitazamo yao na mbinu wanazotumia kuidhoofisha na kuidhalilisha, pamoja na njia ambazo jumuiya inapaswa kuzitumia ili kupambana na hila zao na kuvunja njama zao.

These two verses make up the final passage of this comprehensive and remarkable sūrah, the longest in the Qur’ān. Its subject matter covers a wide range of issues and fundamental Islamic concepts, rules and principles. It outlines the nature and role of the Muslim community in the world, and identifies its enemies and detractors, their attitudes and the methods they use to undermine and weaken it, and the means the community has to use in order to combat their intrigues and thwart their schemes.

Sura kisha inafafanua zaidi kuhusu asili na upeo wa nafasi ya mwanadamu duniani, pamoja na udhaifu wake na mapungufu yake.

The sūrah then elaborates on the nature and scope of man’s role in the world, as well as his weaknesses and shortcomings.

Aya hizi za mwisho zinatoa muhtasari mfupi na unaofaa wa mada kuu za sūrah hii, na zinahitimisha kwa msisimko ujumbe wake mkuu.

These closing verses give a concise and appropriate summary of the major themes of the sūrah, and form an inspiring conclusion to its grand message.

Sura hiyo ilianza kwa kauli: "Hiki ni Kitabu; hakuna shaka ndani yake, ni mwongozo kwa wenye taqwa. Wale wanaoamini yaliyo mbali ya uwezo wa kuona wa binadamu, wanaosimamisha Sala na kutoa katika yale Tuliyowaruzuku. Na wale wanaoamini yaliyoteremshwa kwako na yale yaliyoteremshwa kabla yako, na wenye yakini juu ya Akhera."

The sūrah opened with the statement: “This is the Book; there is no doubt about it, a guidance for the God-fearing. Those who believe in what lies beyond the reach of human perception, observe prayer and give of what We bestow upon them. Those who believe in what has been revealed to you and what was revealed before you, and are certain of the Hereafter.

Hao wanafuata mwongozo wa Mola wao, nao ndio watakaofanikiwa.” (Aya 1-5)

Those follow their Lord’s guidance, and they shall surely prosper.” (Verses 1-5)

Katika sura yote tumeona marejeo mengi ya kutambuliwa na kuthibitishwa na Uislamu kwa ujumbe wote wa kimungu uliofunuliwa kwa manabii na mitume waliotangulia. Sasa sura inatoa muhtasari wa mwisho: "Mtume ameamini yale aliyoteremshiwa kutoka kwa Mola wake, na waumini nao pia wameamini. Kila mmoja wao amemwamini Mwenyezi Mungu, na Malaika Wake, na Vitabu Vyake, na Mitume Wake. Hatutofautishi baina ya mmoja wa Mitume Wake." (Aya ya 285) Mistari hii miwili inaungana kwa uzuri kana kwamba inaunda fremu ya kazi moja ya sanaa.

Mtume anaamini yale yaliyoteremshwa kwake na Mola wake, na waumini nao pia wanaamini. Kila mmoja wao anamwamini Mungu, malaika Wake, vitabu Vyake na Mitume Wake. Hatutofautishi kati ya yoyote miongoni mwa Mitume Wake. Nao husema: "Tumesikia na tumetii. Utupe maghfira yako, Mola wetu, na marejeo ni Kwako." {Mtume anaamini yale yaliyoteremshwa kwake na Mola wake, na waumini nao pia wanaamini. Kila mmoja wao anamwamini Mungu, malaika Wake, vitabu Vyake na Mitume Wake. Hatutofautishi kati ya yoyote miongoni mwa Mitume Wake. Nao husema: "Tumesikia na tumetii. Utupe maghfira yako, Mola wetu, na marejeo ni Kwako."} (Aya 285)

The Messenger believes in what has been revealed to him by his Lord, and so do the believers. Each one of them believes in God, His angels, His books, and His messengers. We make no distinction between any of His messengers. And they say, ‘We hear and we obey. Grant us Your forgiveness, our Lord; to You we shall all return.’ (Verse 285)

Qur'ani inarejelea jumuiya hiyo iliyotukuka ya waumini ambao ni kielelezo cha imani, pamoja na jumuiya zote zilizofuata zilizojengwa juu ya mfano wao. Jumuiya hii inaheshimiwa na kuthaminiwa sana kwa kutajwa pamoja na Mjumbe wa Mungu ﷺ.

The Qur’ān refers to that privileged community of believers who are the archetype of faith, and to all succeeding communities modelled on their example. This community is honoured by, and greatly appreciates, being mentioned in the same breath as God’s Messenger.

Imani ya Mtume inatokana moja kwa moja na wahyi anaoupokea kutoka kwa Mwenyezi Mungu, ukweli wa mwisho. Ni kiwango cha imani ambacho hakiwezi kuelezwa isipokuwa na yule aliyekipitia; kinabaki nje ya ufahamu wa binadamu ambao hawajapata wahyi wa Kimungu, na hivyo ni cha kipekee kabisa, na ni cha Mtume wa Mwenyezi Mungu mwenyewe pekee ﷺ. Ndiyo maana ni heshima kubwa kwa waumini wa kawaida kutajwa pamoja na Mtume wa Mwenyezi Mungu ﷺ.

The Messenger’s faith springs directly from the revelations he receives from God, the ultimate truth. It is a degree of faith that cannot be described except by one who has experienced it; it remains beyond comprehension for those mortals who have not experienced divine revelation and is, therefore, totally unique and exclusive to God’s Messenger himself. That is why it is such an honour for ordinary believers to he mentioned side by side with God’s Messenger.

Sura hii inabainisha asili na mipaka ya imani hii. Ni imani kamili na ya ulimwengu wote, inayolingana na nafasi kubwa na ya kihistoria ambayo jumuiya ya Waislamu imekusudiwa kurithi na kuchukua duniani. Ni kujitoa kunakomtambulisha binadamu, katika historia yake yote, kuwa katika makundi mawili makuu pekee: waumini, wanaowakilisha kundi la Mungu, na makafiri, wanaounda kundi la Shetani.

Wale wanaomwamini Mungu kweli na malaika Wake, vitabu Vyake na Mitume Wake, wanajua vyema kwamba watarejea kwa Mola wao, hivyo basi wanamgeukia Yeye kwa utii na unyenyekevu, wakitafuta rehema Yake na msamaha Wake. "Nao husema: 'Tumesikia na tunatii.'

Those who truly believe in God and His angels, books and messengers, know well that they shall return to their Lord, and so they turn to Him in obedience and submission, seeking His mercy and forgiveness. “And they say, ‘We hear and we obey.

Utupe msamaha wako, Mola wetu; kwako Wewe ndiko marejeo yetu yote. (Aya 285)

Grant us Your forgiveness, our Lord; to You we shall all return.’“ (Verse 285)

Usalimu huu ni udhihirisho wa imani yao. Wao hutii na kutekeleza kila amri waliyopokea kutoka kwa Mwenyezi Mungu kama kukiri umoja Wake na kutambua uhalali wa amri Yake katika kila nyanja ya maisha. Hakuna usalimu unaoweza kuwa wa kweli bila kufuata mwongozo wa Mwenyezi Mungu na kutekeleza hukumu Yake katika kila uwanja. Imani ya mtu haiwezi kuwa kamili iwapo atageuka mgongo kwa mafundisho ya Mwenyezi Mungu na kutafuta mwongozo wa kimaadili, kijamii, kiuchumi au kisiasa kutoka kwingineko. Imani ni sifa iliyokita mizizi moyoni mwa mtu, na inapata uzito wa kukubalika pale tu inapodhihirishwa kwa vitendo.

This submission is an expression of their faith. They heed and obey every commandment received from God in affirmation of His oneness and in recognition of the validity of His order in every aspect of life. No submission can be sincere without adherence to God’s guidance and implementation of His rule in every sphere. Man’s faith cannot be complete if he turns his back on God’s teachings and seeks moral, social, economic or political guidance elsewhere. Faith is a quality firmly entrenched in man’s heart and is only given credence when expressed in actions.

Pamoja na unyenyekevu na utii kwa Mola huja hisia ya kujiona kuwa si wa kutosha na ya upungufu katika kutekeleza wajibu wa mtu kwa Mwenyezi Mungu. Hivyo waumini humwomba Mungu Mwingi wa Rehema awasamehe makosa yao na mapungufu yao: "... Tupe msamaha wako, Mola wetu..." (Aya ya 285)

With submission and obedience to the Lord comes a feeling of inadequacy and deficiency in paying one’s dues towards God. Thus believers appeal to the merciful God to overlook their failures and shortcomings: “... Grant us Your forgiveness, our Lord...” (Verse 285)

Dua ya kuomba msamaha inafuata tamko la kujisalimisha kikamilifu na kutii kabisa. Kisha inafuatiwa na uhakika wa hatima ya mtu hapa duniani na katika maisha ya akhera. Neno la Mungu ndilo ukweli wa mwisho na wa juu kabisa; kila kitu kitarejea kwake; Yeye ni mwenye uwezo wa kila kitu; mapenzi yake yanatimia na nguvu zake hazina mpinzani; msamaha wake, rehema yake na neema yake ndizo njia ya kuepuka adhabu kwa dhambi tunazotenda.

Sura inaendelea: "Mwenyezi Mungu hamtwiki nafsi yoyote zaidi ya uwezo wake. Kwake ni kile alichokifanya cha wema, na juu yake ni kile alichokifanya cha uovu." (Aya 286) Ndani ya mfumo huu wa rehema na haki ya Mungu, Muislamu huziangalia kwa kujiamini kabisa na kuridhika majukumu yake kama khalifa wa Mungu duniani, changamoto anazokabiliana nazo katika kuyatekeleza majukumu hayo, na thawabu ya mwisho anayoipokea. Anaridhika kwa imani kwamba Mungu anajua kikamilifu uwezo wake na mapungufu yake, na hatamlemea kupita kiasi wala kumwekea shinikizo au nguvu yoyote.

The sūrah continues: “God does not charge a soul with more than it can bear. In its favour shall be whatever good it does, and against it whatever evil it does.” (Verse 286) It is within this framework of divine mercy and justice that a Muslim views, with total confidence and satisfaction, his obligations as God’s vicegerent on earth, the challenges he faces in fulfilling those obligations, and the ultimate reward he receives. He is content in the belief that God is fully aware of his abilities and limitations, and will not overburden him or subject him to any duress or coercion.

Hii si tu inajaza moyo wa muumini utulivu na amani ya akili, bali pia inamchochea kutekeleza majukumu yake kwa kadiri ya uwezo wake. Anajua kikamilifu kwamba udhaifu wowote anaoweza kuupata si kwa sababu kazi ni nzito kupita kiasi, bali kutokana na mapungufu yake mwenyewe, na hili, kwa upande wake, linamsukuma kuimarisha azma yake na kujitahidi kupata ubora katika matendo yake.

Not only does this fill a believer’s heart with contentment and peace of mind, but it also inspires him to discharge his duties to the best of his ability. He is fully aware that any weakness he may experience is not because the task is excessive, but due to his own shortcomings, and this, in turn, motivates him to strengthen his resolve and strive for excellence in his actions.

Sehemu ya pili ya kauli hiyo inasisitiza uwajibikaji wa mtu binafsi kwa matendo yake:

The second part of the statement emphasizes individual responsibility for action:

"Kwa ajili yake (nafsi) kutakuwa ni lile jema alilolichuma, na dhidi yake kutakuwa ni lile baya alilolichuma." (Aya 286) Kila mtu anawajibika kwa matendo yake mwenyewe. Hakuna wajibu unaoweza kuhamishwa kutoka kwa mtu mmoja kwenda kwa mwingine, wala hakuna mtu awezaye kumsaidia mwingine katika suala la uwajibikaji. Watu wakishaelewa kanuni hii, kila mmoja wao huwa nguvu chanya na hai katika jamii. Wanakuwa binadamu wenye uwajibikaji, tayari kutetea haki ya Mungu juu yao, wasiokubali kuiacha kwa mtu mwingine yeyote. Watapinga kujisalimisha kwa majaribu, udhalimu, uasi na ufisadi, na kuunyenyekeza mwili na roho yao yote kwa Mungu Mwenyezi. Wale wanaojisalimisha kwa nguvu nyingine zisizo za Mungu, isipokuwa wale waliolazimishwa kwa shuruti au mabavu, wanajilaumu wenyewe tu, na watalazimika kukabiliana na matokeo kamili ya matendo yao.

Wakati waumini wanapoelewa na kuthamini umuhimu na maana za kanuni hizi, wanamwomba Mwenyezi Mungu kwa unyenyekevu mkubwa. Qur'ani, kwa mtindo wake mzuri na wenye kueleza kwa kina, inanukuu dua yao ya kugusa moyo na yenye hisia kali. Msomaji anaweza karibu kuwaona mamilioni ya waumini wakisoma dua hii kwa pamoja katika vizazi vyote, wakisukumwa na hisia mbili za matumaini na khofu: “Mola wetu, usituadhibu iwapo tumesahau au tumekosea bila kukusudia. Mola wetu, usitutwike mzigo kama ulio waletea wale waliotangulia kabla yetu. Mola wetu, usitutwike yale ambayo hatuna uwezo wa kuyabeba. Tusamehe, utughufirie madhambi yetu, na utuhurumie. Wewe ndiye Mola wetu Mlezi; tupe ushindi dhidi ya makafiri.” (Aya ya 286)

As the believers understand and appreciate the significance and implications of these principles, they make their earnest plea to God. The Qur’ān, in its fine and highly expressive style, quotes their moving, passionate prayer. The reader can almost see the multitudes of believers reciting in unison throughout the generations this prayer, evoked by a dual feeling of hope and fear: “Our Lord, do not take us to task if we forget or unwittingly do wrong. Our Lord, do not lay on us a burden such as that You laid on those before us. Our Lord, do not burden us with what we do not have the strength to bear. Pardon us, and forgive us our sins, and bestow Your mercy on us. You are our Lord Supreme; grant us victory against the unbelievers.” (Verse 286)

Ni dua inayobainisha wazi uhusiano kati ya waumini na Mola wao. Kwa sauti yake laini na mdundo wake wenye huzuni, inadokeza kukiri udhaifu na kutokuwa na uwezo, pamoja na kutambua haja ya msaada, nusura, msamaha na rehema ya Mungu.

It is a prayer that clearly defines the relationship between the believers and their Lord. In its soft tone and poignant rhythm it implies an admission of weakness and helplessness, and a recognition of the need for God’s aid, support, forgiveness and grace.

"Mola wetu, usituwajibishe ikiwa tumesahau au tumekosea bila kukusudia." (Aya 286)

“Our Lord, do not take us to task if we forget or unwittingly do wrong.” (Verse 286)

Makosa na usahaulifu ni sifa mbili kuu za tabia ya binadamu. Kwa kutambua hilo, Mwislamu hajivuni kwa makosa yake, wala hayatumii makusudi, wala hajiweki juu ya mapenzi ya Mwenyezi Mungu, bali daima humtafuta msaada wa Mwenyezi Mungu na kumgeukia Yeye kwa toba. Jibu la dua hii hutolewa na Mtume ﷺ anayesema:

Error and forgetfulness are two defining characteristics of human behaviour. In recognition of this, a Muslim never boasts of his faults, nor deliberately exploits them, nor places himself above God’s will, but always seeks God’s help and turns to Him in repentance. The answer to this prayer is given by the Prophet who says: