Wale wasiotarajia kukutana nasi husema: "Kwa nini hatukuteremshiwa malaika, au kwa nini hatumwoni Mola wetu?" Hakika wamejiona kuwa wakubwa mno nafsini mwao, na wamevuka mipaka kwa kiburi kikubwa.
Siku watakapowaona malaika, hapo wahalifu hawatapata habari njema yoyote, nao watasema: "Ni kizuizi kilichowekwa!" Tutazielekea kazi zao walizozifanya, tuzifanye vumbi lililotawanyika.
Siku hiyo, watu wa peponi watakuwa na makazi bora zaidi na mahali pazuri zaidi pa kupumzikia.
Siku ambayo mbingu zitapasuka kwa mawingu, na malaika watateremshwa [safu kwa safu].
Those who entertain no hope of meeting Us say: ‘Why have no angels been sent down to us?’ – or, ‘Why do we not see our Lord?’ Indeed, they are far too proud of themselves and they have been insolently overbearing. On the day when they shall see the angels, the sinners will receive no happy news then, and they will say: ‘a forbidding ban!’ We shall turn to whatever deeds they have done, and We shall transform it all into scattered dust. On that day, those destined for paradise will be graced with the best of abodes and the fairest place of repose. On the day when the skies shall be rent asunder with clouds, and the angels shall be sent down [in ranks].
Siku hiyo, ufalme wa kweli ni wa Mwingi wa Rehema pekee. Itakuwa siku ya dhiki kubwa kwa makafiri. Siku hiyo dhalimu atauma mikono yake na kusema: 'Laiti ningalifuata njia aliyonionyesha Mtume! Ole wangu! Laiti nisingalimfanya fulani kuwa rafiki! Kwa hakika alinipotosha mbali na Ukumbusho baada ya kunijia!' Shetani daima ni msaliti kwa mwanadamu. (Aya 21-29)
On that day, true sovereignty belongs to the Most Merciful [alone]. It will be a day of dire distress for the unbelievers. On that day the wrongdoer will bite his hands and say: ‘Would that I had followed the path shown to me by the Messenger. Oh, woe is me! Would that I had never taken so- and-so for a friend! He surely led me astray from the Reminder after it had come to me!’ Satan is ever treacherous to man. (Verses 21- 29)
Makafiri hawatarajii kukutana na Mungu. Hii ina maana kwamba hawatarajii mkutano kama huo na hawauzingatii ili kuamua tabia yao ya awali. Mioyoni mwao hawana hofu yoyote ya Mungu. Kwa hiyo, wako tayari kutamka maneno ambayo hakuna mtu anayetarajia kukutana na Mungu angeyaweka akilini. "Wale wasiotarajia kukutana nasi husema: Kwa nini hakuteremshiwa malaika? – au, Kwa nini hatumwoni Mola wetu?" (Aya ya 21)
The unbelievers do not hope to meet God. This means that they do not expect such a meeting and do not take it into account so as to determine their prior behaviour. In their hearts they do not feel any awe of God. Hence, they are ready to make utterances that no one who expects to meet God would entertain. “Those who entertain no hope of meeting Us say: Why have no angels been sent down to us? – or, Why do we not see our Lord?” (Verse 21)
Waliona kuwa haikubalika kwamba Mjumbe wa Mungu awe mwanadamu. Walidai kwamba malaika watumwe kwao, wakishuhudia ukweli wa ujumbe huo, ndipo waweze kuuamini. Dai jingine walilotoa ni kwamba waone Mungu, ili wamwamini. Mtazamo wa kiburi kama huu unadhihirisha aina ya ujinga unaohusishwa na kumkataa Mungu na sifa zake, pamoja na kukosa heshima stahiki kwake. Wao ni nani hata watoe madai ya kiburi kama haya? Wao ni nani ukilinganisha na Mungu Mtukufu? Katika ufalme wa Mungu, wao si zaidi ya chembe inayoelea bila mwelekeo angani, isipokuwa wakiweka uhusiano kati yao na Mungu kwa kumwamini, wakipata nguvu zao kutoka kwake. Kwa hiyo, jibu lililotolewa kwao katika aya hiyo hiyo linaonyesha chanzo cha mtazamo wao wa kiburi: “Hakika wamejiona wakubwa mno nafsini mwao, na wamekuwa wenye kiburi cha kupindukia.” (Aya ya 21)
They considered it unreasonable that God’s Messenger should be a man. They demanded that angels be sent to them testifying to the truth of the message in order for them to believe in it. An alternative demand they made was that they should see God, so as to believe in Him. Such an overbearing attitude betrays the sort of ignorance associated with denying God and His attributes, having no proper esteem for Him. Who are they to make such overbearing demands? What are they in comparison with God Almighty? In God’s dominion, they are no more than a particle floating aimlessly in the air, unless they establish a bond between them and God through believing in Him, deriving their strength from Him. Hence, the reply given them in the same verse shows the source of their overbearing attitude: “Indeed, they are far too proud of themselves and they have been insolently overbearing.” (Verse 21)
Wamejiona wenyewe kuwa bora, wamekuwa wenye kujivuna, wenye kiburi na majivuno. Yote haya yamewapelekea kwenye uasi mkubwa. Kujivuna kwao ndiko kunakowashughulisha zaidi, jambo linalomaanisha kwamba hawathamini tena mambo mengine na maadili mengine ipasavyo. Wanajifikiria kuwa ni wakubwa mno, au ni watawala wa ulimwengu wanaostahili kwamba Mungu awatokee kibinafsi ili waweze kumwamini.
They have given themselves airs and graces, become conceited, proud and haughty. All of which has led them to great transgression. Their pride is their main preoccupation, which means that they no longer give proper estimation to other things and values. They think themselves too great, or masters of the universe who deserve that God should appear before them in person so that they can believe in Him.
Jibu la kejeli kali linatolewa kwao wanapoambiwa kuhusu mwisho mbaya unaowangoja watakapowaona malaika, ambayo ndiyo ya chini kabisa kati ya madai yao. Kwa kuwa hawatawaona malaika isipokuwa katika siku ngumu sana na yenye taabu, siku ambayo wamepangiwa kupokea adhabu isiyovumilika na isiyoepukika. Hiyo ni Siku ya Hesabu, siku ambayo matendo maovu yanaadhibiwa. “Siku watakapowaona malaika, wakosefu hawatapata habari njema siku hiyo, nao watasema: ‘Ni pingamizi lililowekwa!’” (Aya ya 22)
A truly sarcastic reply is given to them as they are informed of the terrible eventuality awaiting them when they see the angels, which is the less overbearing of their demands. For they will only see the angels on a very hard and difficult day on which they will be destined to receive unbearable and inescapable suffering. That is the Day of Reckoning when evil deeds are punished. “On the day when they shall see the angels, the sinners will receive no happy news then, and they will say: ‘a forbidding ban!’” (Verse 22)
Hii ndiyo siku ambapo pendekezo lao linatimizwa, "Siku watakapowaona Malaika". Hakuna habari njema zitakazotolewa kwa wakosefu siku hiyo, kwa kuwa adhabu yao inawangoja. Ni mbaya kiasi gani utimizwaji wa ombi lao! Hapo ndipo watakaposema, "Ni kizuizi kisichopitika!" Maneno haya yalikuwa yakisemwa na Waarabu ili kuzuia uovu na maadui. Ni aina ya kuomba ambako kunatumainiwa kuwafukuza maadui na kuepuka madhara yoyote yanayoweza kutokea. Watayasema siku hiyo kwa sababu ya mazoea, kwa kuwa jambo lote litawajia kama mshangao. Lakini maneno yao yatawafaa nini siku hiyo?
This is the day when their suggestion is granted, “On the day when they shall see the angels”. No good news is given to the sinners on that day, for their punishment awaits them. How terrible is the fulfilment of their request! This is when they say, a forbidding ban!’ This phrase used to be said by the Arabs to avert evil and enemies. It is a sort of appeal which hopes to drive enemies away and avoid any harm that might ensue. They utter it on that day by force of habit, because the whole thing comes as a surprise. But what will their words avail them of on that day?
“Tutageukia matendo yoyote waliyoyafanya, na tutayageuza yote kuwa vumbi lililotawanyika.” (Aya ya 23) Yote haya hutokea katika muda mfupi sana. Mawazo yetu hufuata mwendo unaoelezwa kwa undani, matendo yakiinuliwa na kurushwa angani. Papo hapo, mema yote waliyoyafanya katika maisha haya ya sasa hubaki kama vumbi lililotawanyika, kwa sababu hayakuwa yamejengwa juu ya imani. Imani huunda uhusiano kati ya mioyo ya watu na Mungu, na hufanya matendo mema kuwa mtindo wa maisha, yanayochaguliwa kwa makusudi na kwa kutafakari kwa kina, si kwa kufuata matamanio ya muda mfupi au msukumo wa ghafla. Kwa waumini, matendo mema hayashushwi kamwe hadi kuwa kitendo kimoja cha pekee kisichoakisi mbinu iliyo wazi wala lengo lililo dhahiri.
“We shall turn to whatever deeds they have done, and We shall transform it all into scattered dust.” (Verse 23) It all happens in a brief moment. Our imagination follows the motion described in detail, with actions being raised and thrown up in the air. In no time, all good works they did in this present life are left like scattered dust, because they were not based on faith. Faith establishes a bond between people’s hearts and God, and makes good works a way of life, chosen on purpose with due reflection, not in response to a fleeting whim or sudden impulse. With believers, good works are never reduced to the sort of single action that does not reflect a well defined method and clear objective.
Kulingana na Uislamu, maisha ya binadamu na matendo yake vinahusiana kwa karibu na ulimwengu na sheria inayosimamia kuwepo kwake, inayoufunga wote kwa Mungu, ikiwemo binadamu na shughuli zake zote maishani. Maisha ya binadamu yanapojitenga na kitovu chake kinachoyaunganisha na ulimwengu, humkuta akiwa amepotea, bila athari, na kazi yake bila thamani. Kwa kweli, matendo yake huwa kama hayapo. Ni imani inayomfunga binadamu na Mola wake, ikiyapa matendo yake thamani na kuyapa nafasi katika mfumo mzima wa ulimwengu.
According to Islam, man’s life and action are closely related to the universe and the law that governs its existence and binds it all to God, including man and all his activities in life. When man’s life is separated from its central access that relates it to the universe, he finds himself lost, without influence and with no value attached to his work. Indeed his actions become non-existent. It is faith that binds man to his Lord, adding value to his actions and giving them credit in the overall system of the universe.
Hivyo basi, kazi za wasiomwamini zinafanywa kufa, na kifo chao kinaonyeshwa kwa picha inayoonekana wazi: "Kisha tutaelekea kwenye kazi walizozifanya, na tutazigeuza kuwa vumbi lililotawanywa." (Aya ya 23)
Hence, the works of the unbelievers are thus made to die, and their death is shown in a highly tangible image: “We shall turn to whatever deeds they have done, and We shall transform it all into scattered dust.” (Verse 23)
Upande wa pili tunawaona waumini, ambao wanakaa peponi, katika picha iliyo kinyume kabisa: "Siku hiyo, wenye kuingia peponi watapata makao bora zaidi na mahali pazuri zaidi pa kupumzika." (Aya ya 24) Wao wamekaa vizuri, wakifurahia faraja yao. Hisia hii ya kutulia inatofautiana na mavumbi yaliyotawanyika katika picha ya upande wa pili, na utulivu wa waumini unatofautiana na hofu ya makafiri inayowalazimisha kutoa dua yenye wasiwasi.
On the other side we find the believers, who dwell in heaven, in a perfectly contrasting image: “On that day, those destined for paradise will be graced with the best of abodes and the fairest place of repose.” (Verse 24) They are well settled, enjoying their comfort. This feeling of settlement contrasts with the scattered dust in the opposite image, and the reassurance felt by the believers contrasts with the fear of the unbelievers that obliges them to make a worried prayer.
Makafiri pia walikuwa wakipendekeza kwamba Mwenyezi Mungu na malaika wajitokeze mbele yao juu ya vilele vya mawingu. Mapendekezo kama hayo yanaweza kuwa yanaonyesha ushawishi wa hadithi za Kiyahudi zinazosimulia Mungu akijidhihirisha juu ya wingu au nguzo ya moto.
The unbelievers also used to suggest that God and the angels should appear before them on the tops of clouds. Such suggestions perhaps show the influence of Jewish legends speaking of God revealing Himself over a cloud or a column of fire.
Kwa hiyo, Qur-ani inaonyesha picha nyingine ya siku ambayo ombi lao la kuona malaika litakapotimizwa: "Siku mbingu zitakapopasuka kwa mawingu, na malaika watashushwa [kwa safu]. Siku hiyo, ufalme wa kweli ni wa Mwingi wa Rehema peke Yake." (Aya 25-26)
Therefore, the Qur’ān shows another image of the day when their request to see angels is granted: “On the day when the skies shall be rent asunder with clouds, and the angels shall be sent down [in ranks]. On that day, true sovereignty belongs to the Most Merciful [alone].” (Verses 25-26)
Aya hii, pamoja na nyingine nyingi katika Qur'ani, zinaonyesha wazi kwamba siku hiyo itashuhudia matukio makubwa na yenye kufikia mbali ya kimbingu yanayoashiria kuporomoka kabisa kwa mfumo unaodhibiti sehemu zote za ulimwengu, ikiwa ni pamoja na miili yote ya mbinguni. Msukosuko kama huo unaonyesha mwisho wa dunia hii. Msukosuko huu hauko kwenye dunia peke yake, bali unajumuisha sayari, nyota, mifumo ya jua na galaksi. Ni vyema kuangalia baadhi ya vipengele vya msukosuko huu kama vilivyoelezwa katika sura mbalimbali: "Jua litakapofunikwa giza, nyota zitakapoanguka na kutawanyika, milima itakapoondolewa kutoka mahali pake... bahari zitakapowashwa moto." (81: 1-3)
This verse, and many others in the Qur’ān, make it clear that that day will witness far-reaching celestial events indicating a complete collapse of the system that controls all parts of the universe, including all celestial bodies. Such an upheaval indicates the end of this world. This upheaval is not limited to the earth, but includes planets, stars, solar systems and galaxies. It is useful to look at some aspects of this upheaval as described in different sūrahs: “When the sun is darkened, when the stars fall and disperse, when the mountains are made to move away... when the seas are set alight.” (81: 1-3
na 6) "Itakapopasuka mbingu, itakapotawanyika nyota, itakapofurika bahari, itakapofufuliwa makaburi." (82: 1-4) "Itakapopasuka mbingu, ikimtii Mola wake kwa unyenyekevu wa kweli; itakapotandazwa ardhi na kutupa yaliyomo ndani yake na kuwa tupu, ikimtii Mola wake kwa unyenyekevu wa kweli!" (84: 1-5) "Itakapopasuka mbingu na kuwa nyekundu kama mafuta yanayowaka." (55: 37) "Ardhi itakapotikiswa vikali, na milima itakapobomoka na kuwa kama vumbi lililotawanyika." (56: 4-6)
and 6) “When the sky is cleft asunder, when the stars are scattered, when the oceans are made to explode, when the graves are hurled about.” (82: 1-4) “When the sky is rent asunder, obeying her Lord in true submission; when the earth is stretched out and casts forth all that is within her and becomes empty, obeying her Lord in true submission!” (84: 1-5) “When the sky is rent asunder and becomes red like burning oil.” (55: 37) “When the earth is severely shaken, and when the mountains crumble away, so as to become like scattered dust.” (56: 4-6)
“Wakati tarumbeta itakapopulizwa mara moja, na ardhi na milima vitakapoinuliwa na kusagwa kwa pigo moja! Basi siku hiyo, lile litakalotokea litakuwa limetokea; na mbingu zitapasuka, kwa kuwa siku hiyo zitakuwa dhaifu.” (69: 13-16) “Siku ambayo mbingu zitakuwa kama risasi iliyoyeyushwa, na milima itakuwa kama masufi ya sufu.” (70: 8-9) “Ardhi itakapotikiswa kwa mtetemeko wake [wa mwisho], itakapotupa mizigo yake.” (99: 1-2) “Siku watu watakapokuwa kama nondo waliotawanyika, na milima kama masufi ya sufu iliyosokotwa.” (101: 4-5) “Basi ngojea siku ambayo mbingu zitaleta moshi mzito utakaodhihirisha [kukaribia kwa Saa], ukiwafunika watu wote. ‘Hii ni adhabu chungu!’” (44: 10-11) “Siku ambayo ardhi na milima zitatikisika, na milima itakuwa kama tuta la mchanga linalosogea.” (73: 14) “Siku hiyo, mbingu zitapasuka.” (73: 18) “Ardhi itakapofanywa tambarare kabisa.” (89: 21) “Macho yatakapopofushwa, mwezi utakapoiva giza, na jua na mwezi vitakapokutanishwa.” (75: 7-9) “Nyota zitakapofutwa, mbingu zitakapopasuka, na milima itakapotawanywa kama vumbi.” (77: 8-10)
“When the trumpet is blown with a single blast, and the earth and the mountains are lifted up and crushed with a single stroke! Then that which must come to pass will on that day have come to pass; and the sky will be rent asunder – for, frail will it have become on that day.” (69: 13-16) “On a day when the sky will be like molten lead, and the mountains will be like tufts of wool.” (70: 8-9) “When the earth is rocked by her [final] earthquake, when the earth shakes off her burdens.” (99: 1-2) “The day when people will be like scattered moths, and the mountains like tufts of carded wool.” (101: 4-5) “Wait, then, for the day when the skies shall bring forth a pall of smoke which will make obvious [the approach of the Last Hour], enveloping all mankind. ‘Grievous is this suffering!” (44: 10-11) “On the day when the earth and the mountains will be convulsed, and the mountains will become like a sand-dune on the move.” (73: 14) “On that day, the skies shall be rent asunder.” (73: 18) “When the earth is systematically levelled down.” (89: 21) “When every eye is dazzled, and the moon darkens, and the sun and the moon are brought together.” (75: 7-9) “When the stars are effaced, and when the sky is rent asunder, and when the mountains are scattered like dust.” (77: 8-10)
"Wanakuuliza kuhusu milima. Sema: Mola wangu Mlezi atayapeperusha mbali na mbali, na kuiacha ardhi tambarare na tupu, bila mikunjo wala matuta yoyote yanayoonekana."(20: 105-107) "Utaiona milima, ambayo unaidhani kuwa imara sana, ikipita kama vile mawingu yanavyopita."(27: 88) "Siku moja Sisi tutaifanya milima itembee, nawe utaiona ardhi tupu na wazi."(18: 47)
“They ask you about the mountains. Say: My Lord will scatter them far and wide, and leave the earth level and bare, with no curves or ruggedness to be seen.” (20: 105-107) “You will see the mountains, which you deem so firm, pass away as clouds pass away.” (27: 88) “One day We shall cause the mountains to move and you will see the earth void and bare.” (18: 47)
"Siku ambayo ardhi itabadilishwa kuwa ardhi nyingine, pia mbingu zitabadilishwa." (14:
“On the day when the earth shall be changed into another earth, as shall be the heavens.” (14:
“Siku hiyo tutaikunja mbingu kama vile mkunjo wa vitabu vya maandishi.” (21: 104)
48) “On that Day We shall roll up the heavens like a scroll of parchment.” (21: 104)
Aya hizi zote zinaonyesha kwamba dunia yetu itafikia mwisho wa kutisha, unaotambulishwa na mtikisiko mkali wa ardhi, huku milima ikitawanyika kama vumbi. Bahari zitawashwa moto, au zitalipuka, ama kwa kujaa kupita kiasi kutokana na msukosuko unaotokea, au chembe zake zitalipuka na kugeuka kuwa moto. Nyota zitafifia, anga litapasuka vipande vipande na sayari zitatawanyika. Vipimo vya umbali vitachanganyika kwa kuwa jua na mwezi vitakutanishwa.
All these verses indicate that our world will come to a fearful end characterized by a violent shake-up of the earth, while the mountains will be scattered like dust. The seas will be set alight, or made to explode, either by being overfull as a result of the upheaval taking place or its molecules will explode and turn into fire. The stars will be darkened, the sky rent asunder and the planets scattered. Distances will be confused as the sun and the moon will be brought together.
Mbingu itaonekana kama moshi wakati mmoja, na kuwaka na kuwa nyekundu wakati mwingine. Ni tukio la kutisha ambalo halibakishi chochote mahali pake.
The sky will look like smoke at one time and alight and red at another. It is a fearful event that leaves nothing in place.