Sehemu iliyotangulia ilimalizika kwa muhtasari wa hatima tofauti kabisa za waumini na wale wanaokataa ujumbe wa Mwenyezi Mungu. Siku ambayo ufalme wote ni wa Mwenyezi Mungu peke yake, wao hujikuta katika nafasi zinazotofautiana. Yote haya yametolewa ndani ya muktadha wa kuwaunga mkono kwake Mwenyezi Mungu Mitume Wake, kuulinda ujumbe Wake, na malipo Aliyowaandalia wale wanaoamini na wale wanaokataa kuamini.

The previous passage ended with an outline of the opposite destinies of the believers and those who deny God’s message. On the day when all dominion belongs to God alone, they end up in contrasting positions. All this is given within the context of God’s support of His messengers, protection of His message and the reward He has in store for those who believe and those who refuse to believe.

Sura hii inaanza kwa kutaja wale wanaohama kwa ajili ya kusudi la Mwenyezi Mungu. Wamekwisha ruhusiwa kupigana vita kwa ajili ya kulinda imani yao na kujilinda dhidi ya dhulma. Walifukuzwa kutoka majumbani mwao kinyume cha haki, kwa sababu pekee ya kutangaza kwamba wanamwamini Mungu peke yake. Sura pia inafafanua kwamba Mungu atawalipa mali waliyoiacha walipohama.

This passage begins with a reference to those who migrate for God’s cause. They have already been permitted to fight in defence of their faith and to defend themselves against injustice. They have been driven out of their homes against all right, for no reason other than their declaration that they believed in God alone. The passage also clarifies that God will compensate them for the property they left behind when they migrated.

Hukumu ya jumla inafuata, ambayo inawahusu wale wanaojikuta wamedhulumiwa bila haki na wanaojaribu kuzuia uchokozi, lakini kisha wanakabiliwa na udhalimu na uadui zaidi. Wanapewa ahadi ya wazi na yenye uhakika ya kuungwa mkono. Ahadi hii thabiti inafuatiwa na kutajwa kwa baadhi ya dalili za uwezo wa Mungu, ambazo zinahakikisha kwamba ahadi zake daima zitatimia. Dalili hizi zinaonekana katika ulimwengu unaotuzunguka. Hivyo inaonyesha kwamba msaada wa Mungu kwa wale wanaoteseka kwa dhuluma, licha ya juhudi zao za kuzuia uchokozi, ni jambo la hakika sawa na sheria nyingine za ulimwengu.

A general verdict follows which applies to those who find themselves unjustly attacked and who try to repel aggression, but are then subjected to further tyranny and hostility. They are given a clear and assured promise of support. This firm promise is followed by listing some indicators of God’s power which ensures that His promises will always come true. These indicators are seen in the universe around us. It thus suggests that God’s help to those who suffer injustice, despite their attempts to repel aggression, is a certainty in the same vein as other universal laws.

Na wale waliohama majumbani mwao kwa ajili ya kutumikia dini ya Mwenyezi Mungu, kisha wakauawa au wakafa, Mwenyezi Mungu bila shaka atawapa riziki nzuri. Hakika Mwenyezi Mungu ndiye Mwenye kutoa riziki kwa wingi zaidi. Atawaingiza mahali ambapo watafurahishwa nako kwa hakika. Hakika Mwenyezi Mungu ndiye Mjuzi, Mpole sana. (Aya 58-59)

As for those who leave their homes to serve God’s cause, and are then slain or die, God will most certainly grant them a goodly provision. God is indeed the most munificent provider. He will most certainly admit them to a place with which they shall be well pleased. God is surely All-Knowing, Most Forbearing. (Verses 58-59)

Hijra, yaani kuhama kutoka nyumbani kwa ajili ya kutumikia dini ya Mungu, ni kuacha kila faraja, iwe ni familia, jamii na kumbukumbu za utotoni, au mali na starehe za kidunia. Mtu anapoweka imani yake mbele ya haya yote kwa sababu pekee ya kupata radhi za Mungu, anaonyesha kwamba zawadi hiyo ina thamani kubwa kuliko bidhaa zote za kidunia. Hijra ilikuwa inawezekana kabla ya Makka kutekwa na Uislamu na kabla ya dola ya Kiislamu kuanzishwa. Baada ya hapo, hijra haikuwa tena halali. Sasa wajibu ni kujitahidi katika kutumikia dini ya Mungu. Yeyote anayejitahidi hivyo kwa ajili ya dini ya Mungu na kujitolea kuitumikia, hupata thawabu sawa na ile ya hijra.

Migration, or leaving one’s home, to serve God’s cause represents a desertion of every comfort whether it be family, community and childhood memories, or property and material comforts. When one puts one’s faith ahead of all this for no other reason than to earn God’s pleasure, one demonstrates that such a prize is more valuable than all material goods. Migration was possible before Makkah fell to Islam and the Islamic state was established. After that, migration was invalid. The requirement now is to strive in serving God’s cause. Whoever strives thus for God’s cause and dedicates himself to its service receives a similar reward to that of migration.

“Na wale waliohama makwao kwa ajili ya kutumikia dini ya Mwenyezi Mungu, kisha wakauawa au wakafa, Mwenyezi Mungu bila shaka atawapa riziki njema.” (Aya ya 58) Hili linatumika iwe wanakufa vitani, wakipata shahada, au wanakufa kawaida majumbani mwao. Waliacha makazi yao na mali yao wakiwa tayari kukabiliana na jambo lolote lile, kwa lengo la kumtumikia Yeye peke yake. Walitafuta shahada kwa njia yoyote ambayo ingewajia, wakiacha kila faraja ya kidunia. Kwa hiyo, Mwenyezi Mungu huwalipa kwa wingi kwa yale waliyoyaacha kwa ajili Yake: “Mwenyezi Mungu bila shaka atawapa riziki njema. Hakika Mwenyezi Mungu ndiye Mbora wa wanaoruzuku.” (Aya ya 58) Riziki kama hizo ni bora kuliko kila kitu walichokiacha nyuma.

“As for those who leave their homes to serve God’s cause, and are then slain or die, God will most certainly grant them a goodly provision.” (Verse 58) This applies whether they die in battle, earning martyrdom, or die normally in their homes. They left their homes and property ready to face any eventuality only to serve Him. They sought martyrdom in any way it might come, sacrificing every worldly comfort. Therefore, God compensates them richly for what they abandoned on His account: “God will most certainly grant them a goodly provision. God is indeed the most munificent provider.” (Verse 58) Such provisions are better than everything they leave behind.

Yote haya yanahusiana na ukweli wa msingi kwamba Mungu ndiye ukweli wa mwisho na kamili. Ni ukweli wake unaosimamia ulimwengu na kuendesha mifumo yake. Kila kitu kingine ni cha uongo, si cha kawaida, na hakiwezi kudumu: "Hivyo ndivyo ilivyo, kwa sababu Mungu peke yake ndiye Ukweli wa Mwisho, na kila kitu ambacho watu wanakiomba badala yake ni uongo mtupu, na kwa sababu Mungu peke yake ndiye Aliye Juu Kabisa, Mkuu." (Aya ya 62)

All this relates to the essential fact that God is the ultimate and absolute truth. His is the truth that controls the universe and operates its systems. Everything else is false, irregular, and cannot be maintained: “Thus it is, because God alone is the Ultimate Truth, and all that people invoke beside Him is sheer falsehood, and because God alone is Most High, Great.” (Verse 62)

Huu ni ufafanuzi wa kutosha na ni uhakika kwamba haki na uadilifu bila shaka vitashinda, huku uongo na uchokozi vikiwa hakika vitashindwa. Ni uhakika uleule kwamba sheria za ulimwengu zitafanya kazi bila kukosea. Mojawapo ya sheria na matukio haya ni kwamba ukweli utashinda na uongo utapata kushindwa kwa aibu. Hakika Mungu ni mkuu zaidi kuliko mtawala yeyote mwenye mamlaka kamili anayetaka kuonyesha nguvu zake juu ya wanyonge. Aya inahitimishwa kwa maoni haya: “Mungu peke yake ni Mkuu Mtukufu.” Kwa hiyo, Yeye hataruhusu uchokozi ukue, wala dhuluma idumu milele.

This is an adequate explanation and a guarantee that truth and justice will inevitably triumph, while falsehood and aggression are certain to be defeated. It is the same guarantee that the laws of the universe will operate without fail. One of these laws and phenomena is that the truth will be victorious and falsehood will suffer a humiliating defeat. God is certainly far superior to any absolute ruler who seeks to demonstrate his power over the weak. The verse concludes with this comment: “God alone is Most High, Great.” Hence, He will not allow aggression to swell, or injustice to he everlasting.

Matukio mengine ya kimaumbile yanaonyeshwa kama viashiria vya kudumu vya uwezo wa Mungu:

Further natural phenomena are shown as permanent indicators of God’s power:

"Je, hujui kwamba Mwenyezi Mungu huteremsha maji kutoka mbinguni, na papo hapo ardhi hugeuka kijani? Mwenyezi Mungu ni Mjuzi wa siri zote, Mwenye kujua kila kitu." (Aya ya 63) Tunaliona hili likitokea kila wakati: mvua inanyesha kutoka mbinguni, na ndani ya muda mfupi sana ardhi inakuwa ya kijani. Lakini kwa kuwa tumelizoea sana, mara nyingi hatulitilii maanani. Hata hivyo, kwa watu wenye akili wazi, tukio hili huamsha hisia nyingi. Wakati mwingine unaona chipukizi la kijani likichomoza kupitia udongo mweusi, nawe unahisi ubichi wake. Linakukumbusha watoto wadogo wanaotabasamu kwa furaha kwa ulimwengu unaowazunguka, na ambao karibu wanaruka kwa furaha wanapoona mwanga unaoenea.

Tena surah hiyo inaelekeza usikivu wa watu kwenye baadhi ya vipengele vya uwezo wa Mwenyezi Mungu kama vinavyoonekana katika maumbile: "Je, hamwoni kwamba Mwenyezi Mungu amewafanya watiifu kwenu vilivyomo ardhini, na merikebu zinazopita baharini kwa amri yake? Yeye ndiye anayeishikilia mbingu isianguke juu ya ardhi isipokuwa kwa idhini yake. Hakika Mwenyezi Mungu ni Mwenye huruma sana, Mwenye rehema kwa wanadamu." (Aya ya 65) Hii inavuta umakini wa watu kwenye ardhi wanayoishi, ambayo ina aina mbalimbali za nguvu na utajiri ambao Mwenyezi Mungu amewafanyia binadamu watiifu. Lakini bado binadamu hajali neema za Mwenyezi Mungu anazozifurahia usiku na mchana.

Once more the sūrah points out some of the aspects of God’s power as seen in nature: “Do you not see that God has made subservient to you all that is on earth, and the ships that sail the sea at His bidding? He it is who holds the celestial bodies, so that they may not fall upon the earth except by His leave. Most compassionate is God, and merciful to mankind.” (Verse 65) This draws people’s attention to the earth they live on, which contains a wide variety of powers and wealth which God has made subservient to man. Yet man remains oblivious of God’s favours which he enjoys night and day.

Mungu ameweka kila kitu duniani kiwe chini ya uwezo wa mwanadamu, kwa kufanya sheria za maumbile zinazoathiri dunia ziendane na asili ya mwanadamu na uwezo wake. Lau sheria hizi zingepingana na sheria za asili za dunia, maisha ya binadamu yasingewezekana katika sayari hii, na mwanadamu asingeweza kutumia rasilimali zake kwa manufaa yake. Lau angekuwa tofauti kimwili na hali inayomwezesha kuvumilia angahewa ya dunia, kupumua hewa yake, kula chakula chake na kunywa maji yake, mwanadamu asingeweza kuishi duniani hata kwa muda mfupi sana. Lau msongamano wa dunia au muundo wa mwili wa binadamu ungekuwa tofauti, mwanadamu asingeweza kutembea au kusimama wima duniani; angeweza kuruka angani au kuzama ardhini.

God has placed everything on earth at man’s disposal, by making the laws of nature affecting the earth compatible with man’s nature and abilities. Had these been at variance with the natural laws of the earth, human life would not have been possible on this planet, and man would not have been able to utilize its resources to his benefit. Had he been physically different from the condition which allows him to tolerate the earth’s atmosphere, breathe its air, eat its food and drink its water, man could not have survived on earth for even a very brief time. Had the density of the earth or the human constitution been different, man would not have been able to walk or stand upright on earth; he would either fly in the air or sink into the earth.

Lau dunia isingekuwa na anga, au hewa ingekuwa nzito zaidi au nyepesi zaidi kuliko hali yake ya sasa, mwanadamu angekosa hewa au asingeweza kupumua.

Katika hatua hii, sura inamwelekeza Nabii ﷺ kufuata njia yake mwenyewe, bila kuwajali makafiri na hoja zao zisizo na maana. Asimwache wamgeuze kutoka kwenye mwenendo ambao Mwenyezi Mungu amemchagulia, kwani Yeye amempa jukumu la kuufikisha ujumbe Wake kwa wanadamu.

At this point the sūrah addresses the Prophet (peace be upon him) instructing him to follow his own way, paying no attention to the unbelievers and their futile arguments. He must not allow them to divert him from the method God chose for him, as He assigned him the task of delivering His message to mankind.

Kwa kila jamii Tumeweka njia za ibada ambazo wanapaswa kuzifuata.

To every community We have appointed ways of worship, which they should observe.

Wasiruhusu wakukokote kwenye mabishano juu ya jambo hili, bali waite kwa Mola wako Mlezi.

Let them not draw you into disputes on this score, but call [them all] to your Lord.

Hakika uko katika njia iliyo sahihi. Wakibishana nawe, sema: "Mwenyezi Mungu anajua zaidi mnayoyatenda." Mwenyezi Mungu ndiye atakayehukumu baina yenu siku ya Kiyama kuhusu yale mliyokuwa mkihitilafiana. Je, hujui kwamba Mwenyezi Mungu anajua kila kilicho mbinguni na ardhini? Hakika yote yamo katika kitabu. Hayo yote ni rahisi kwa Mwenyezi Mungu.

You are indeed on the right way. Should they argue with you, say: ‘God knows best what you are doing.’ God will judge between you on the Day of Resurrection with regard to all on which you dispute. Do you not know that God knows all that occurs in heaven as well as on earth? Indeed it is all in a record. All this is easy for God.

(Aya 67-70)

(Verses 67-70)

Kila jamii ina namna yake ya maisha, fikra, tabia na imani, na haya yako chini ya sheria thabiti na sahihi ambazo Mungu ameziweka kudhibiti asili ya watu, fikra zao, hisia zao na mwitikio wao kwa athari za nje. Jamii inayofungua mioyo yake kwa viashiria vya mwongozo wa Mungu, na kuitikia viashiria husika vilivyomo katika ulimwengu na ndani ya nafsi ya mwanadamu, hupata njia yake kuelekea kwa Mungu. Katika hili, itanufaika kwa ishara nyingi zinazoashiria umoja Wake na kuhimiza utii wa amri Zake. Kinyume chake, jamii inayofunga akili yake kwa haya yote imo katika makosa, ikizidi kuzama katika upotevu.

Every community has its own way of life, thought, behaviour and beliefs, and these are subject to the consistent and accurate laws God has set to regulate people’s nature, thinking, feelings and reactions to outside influences. A community that opens its hearts to the pointers to divine guidance and responds to relevant pointers in the universe and within the human soul finds its way to God. In this, it will benefit by the numerous signs pointing to His oneness and encouraging compliance with His orders. By contrast, a community that shuts its mind to all this is in the wrong, sinking deeper into error.

Sura sasa inatoa tamko lenye nguvu na la ulimwengu wote kwamba miungu yote ambayo watu wanamshirikisha nayo Mwenyezi Mungu, ikiwemo ile ambayo wakosaji wanaiomba msaada, ni dhaifu na haina uwezo. Udhaifu wao unaonyeshwa katika tukio lenye msisimko na la kuvutia:

The sūrah now makes a powerful, universal declaration that all deities people associate with God, including the ones to which the wrongdoers appeal for help, are weak and powerless. Their weakness is shown in a bustling and captivating scene:

Enyi watu, mfano umetolewa, basi usikilizeni. Hao mnaowaomba badala ya Mungu hawawezi kuumba nzi hata kama watakusanya nguvu zao zote kwa ajili hiyo. Na nzi akiwanyang'anya kitu, hawawezi kukiokoa kutoka kwake! Dhaifu kweli ni anayetafuta, na dhaifu ni anayetafutwa! (Aya ya 73)

Mankind. An aphorism is set forth; hearken, then, to it. Those beings whom you invoke instead of God cannot create a fly, even though they were to join all their forces to that end. If a fly robs them of anything, they cannot rescue it from him! Weak indeed is the seeker, and weak the sought! (Verse 73)

Anwani hii ni ya ulimwengu wote; inawahusu kila mtu popote duniani, na tangazo ni la wazi na kubwa: "Enyi watu!" Watu wanapokusanywa ili wasikilize, wanaambiwa kwamba wanakaribia kupewa kauli ya kanuni ya jumla, si kisa mahsusi kinachohusu wakati fulani tu. "Mfano umetolewa; basi usikilizeni." Ni kauli ya ukweli unaotumika katika kila hali: "Hao mnaowaomba badala ya Mwenyezi Mungu hawawezi kuumba nzi hata kama wataungana wote kwa lengo hilo." Miungu yote ya uongo, iwe ni sanamu na vinyago, binadamu, mila na thamani, ambao mnawategemea kwa msaada na mnaotafuta nao ushindi na heshima kubwa, hawawezi kuumba nzi, hata kama watakusanya nguvu zao zote, watatumia maarifa yao yote na kuelekeza rasilimali zao zote katika juhudi moja kuu. Kwa hakika, kuumba nzi tu, kiumbe huyo mdogo na duni, kunavishinda vikosi vyote vilivyoelekezwa vya miungu hiyo ya uongo.

The address is universal, it includes everyone anywhere in the world, and the declaration is loud and clear: “Mankind!” When people have been gathered to listen, they are told that they are about to be given a statement of a general principle, not a particular case applicable on a certain occasion. “An aphorism is set forth; hearken, then, to it.” It is a statement of fact that applies in all situations: “Those beings whom you invoke instead of God cannot create a fly, even though they were to join all their forces to that end.” All false deities, whether they be idols and statues, human beings, traditions and values, to whom you appeal for support and with whom you seek to achieve victory and high esteem, are incapable of creating a fly, even if they muster all their forces, utilize all their knowledge and channel all their resources into one supreme effort. Indeed, the creation of a mere fly, that small and abject creature, defies all the harnessed powers of such false gods.

Baada ya kufichua upuuzi wa imani za washirikina na ujinga unaodhihirishwa na desturi zao za ibada, sura hii inatoa wito wa mwisho kwa jamii ya Waislamu, ikiitaka kuwa waaminifu kwa imani zao na kushikamana na njia sahihi ya maisha.

Having exposed the absurdity of the idolaters’ beliefs and the ignorance their worship rituals reflect, the sūrah makes a final address to the Muslim community, urging it to be true to its beliefs and to stick to the right way of life.

Enyi mlioamini! Inameni na kusujudu, na mwabudu Mola wenu peke yake, na fanyeni mema, ili mpate kufaulu. Na fanyeni jitihada katika njia ya Mungu kama inavyostahiki kufanya jitihada. Yeye ndiye aliyekuchagueni, wala hakukuwekea ugumu wowote katika dini; ni dini ya baba yenu Ibrahim. Yeye ndiye aliyekuiteni Waislamu, zamani na katika kitabu hiki, ili Mtume awe shahidi juu yenu, nanyi mwe mashahidi juu ya watu wote. Basi dumuni katika kusimamisha Sala, na toeni Zaka, na shikamaneni na Mungu. Yeye ni Mlinzi wenu; ni Mlinzi bora kabisa na Msaidizi bora kabisa.ﷺ

Believers! Bow down and prostrate yourselves, and worship your Lord alone, and do good, so that you might be successful. And strive hard in God’s cause as you ought to strive. It is He who has chosen you, and has laid no hardship on you in [anything that pertains to] religion; the creed of your forefather Abraham. It is He who has named you Muslims, in bygone times and in this [book], so that the Messenger might bear witness for you, and that you might bear witness for all mankind. Thus, attend regularly to your prayer, and pay out your zakāt, and hold fast to God. He is your Guardian: the best of guardians and the best to give support. (Verses 77-78)

Hakika aya hizi mbili zinafupisha kanuni ya maisha ambayo Mwenyezi Mungu ameiweka kwa jamii ya Waislamu, na majukumu aliyoipangia. Zinabainisha nafasi yake na kuweka wazi mwelekeo wa matendo yake, zamani, sasa na baadaye, mradi ifuate mwongozo Wake.

Indeed these two verses sum up the code of living God has laid down for the Muslim community and the duties He has assigned to it. They define its role and mark out its course of action, past, present and future, provided that it follows His guidance.

Maagizo ya kwanza yaliyotolewa hapa yanawaamuru waumini kuswali, yakiangazia vitendo viwili vya pekee vya sala ya Kiislamu, yaani kuinama na kusujudu mbele ya Mwenyezi Mungu. Hivyo, sala inapewa picha halisi na mwendo wa kuvutia ili tuione wazi mbele ya macho yetu. Kwa njia hii, namna ya kueleza inakuwa yenye athari zaidi.

The first instruction given here requires the believers to pray, highlighting two distinctive actions of Islamic prayer, namely bowing down and prostrating before God. Thus, prayer is given a real image and a noteworthy movement so that we see it clearly before our eyes. In this way, the mode of expression is that much more effective.