Sura iliyojadiliwa katika Sura ya 3 ilihitimishwa kwa kauli inayodhihirisha wazi kwamba Mungu peke yake ndiye Anayeamua hatima ya viumbe vyake vyote. Huwaneemesha kwa rehema yake au kuwaadhibu kadiri Anavyotaka. Miungu wanayoabudu pamoja Naye haina uwezo wa kuwaondolea madhara wala kuyahamisha kwa wengine. Hao hawana nguvu.

The passage discussed in Chapter 3 concluded with a statement making clear that God alone is the One who determines the destiny of all His creatures. He bestows His grace on them or punishes them as He pleases. The deities they worship beside Him have no power to remove harm from them or to shift it to others. They are powerless.

Sehemu hii inazungumzia hatima ya mwisho ya wanadamu wote, kama inavyoamuliwa na haki ya Mungu. Miji na jamii zote zitakufa kabla ya Siku ya Hukumu, ingawa baadhi zinaweza kupata aina fulani ya maangamizi iwapo zitastahili adhabu ya Mungu. Hivyo, kila kiumbe hai kitakuwa kimefika mwisho wa maisha yake, ama kwa kifo cha kawaida au kwa kuangamizwa.

The present passage speaks about the ultimate destiny of all mankind, as it is determined by God’s justice. All cities and communities will suffer death before the Day of Judgement, although some may suffer a doom of some sort should they incur something that deserves God’s punishment. Thus, every living creature will have come to its life’s end, either by natural death or by destruction.

Katika muktadha wa maangamizi yaliyowapata baadhi ya jamii, sura inataja miujiza iliyofanywa mikononi mwa Mitume waliotangulia kabla ya maangamizi hayo. Hali ilikuwa hivyo kabla ya ujumbe wa Nabii Muhammad ﷺ. Miujiza na matukio ya kimaumbile yasiyo ya kawaida yaliondolewa pamoja na kuja kwa ujumbe huu wa mwisho. Sheria iliyotumika kwa jamii zilizotangulia ilikuwa kwamba zilipata maangamizi yasiyoepukika na kuangamia pale zilipokataa haki baada ya kupokea miujiza hiyo. Lakini kwa neema ya Mwenyezi Mungu, maangamizi kamili hayakuwa yatashushwa juu ya umma wa Kiislamu. Kwa hiyo, Nabii Muhammad ﷺ hakupewa muujiza wowote wa kimaumbile. Miujiza hiyo ilitolewa ili kupandikiza hofu ya Mwenyezi Mungu mioyoni mwa jamii zilizotangulia.

Within the context of the destruction suffered by some communities, the sūrah mentions the miracles accomplished at the hands of earlier messengers ahead of such destruction. This was the case prior to the message of the Prophet Muĥammad (peace be upon him). Such miracles and supernatural events were excluded with the advent of this final message. The law that applied to earlier communities meant that they suffered inevitable doom and destruction when they denied the truth after having received such miracles. But complete destruction was, by God’s grace, not to be visited on the Muslim community. Therefore, the Prophet Muĥammad was not given any material miracle. Such miracles were given to strike the fear of God into the hearts of earlier communities.

Hakuna jamii yoyote ambayo hatutaiangamiza au kuiadhibu vikali kabla ya Siku ya Kiyama. Hilo limeandikwa katika amri Yetu. (Aya ya 58)

There is no community but We shall destroy or severely punish before the Day of Resurrection. That is laid down in Our decree. (Verse 58)

Mwenyezi Mungu ameamua kwamba Siku ya Kiyama itatokea wakati uso wa dunia utakapokuwa hauna kiumbe hai chochote. Kila kiumbe hai kitakuwa kimekufa kabla ya siku hiyo iliyoahidiwa kufika. Mwenyezi Mungu pia ameamua kwamba baadhi ya jamii zitapatwa na adhabu kwa dhambi wanazozitenda. Hili ni sehemu ya ujuzi wa Mwenyezi Mungu usiokuwa na shaka yoyote. Mwenyezi Mungu anaijua siku zijazo kwa namna ile ile anavyoijua ya sasa.

God has determined that the Day of Judgement will take place when the face of the earth is devoid of all life. Every living thing will have died before that promised day falls due. God has also determined that some communities will be made to suffer punishment for the sins they commit. This is part of God’s knowledge which admits no uncertainty. God knows the future in the same way as He knows the present.

Hakika yaliyotokea zamani na yatakayotokea baadaye yanajulikana kwa Mwenyezi Mungu kwa usawa.

Indeed what has taken place in the past and what will take place in the future are equally known to God.

Matukio ya kimiujiza yalitokea zamani ili kuthibitisha ujumbe uliohubiriwa na wajumbe wa Mungu, na kuwaonya watu dhidi ya kuukataa. Kukataa huko kulihakikisha kwamba jamii nzima ilipata adhabu. Hata hivyo, ni wale tu ambao nyoyo zao na akili zao zilikuwa tayari kuupokea ujumbe wa haki ndio waliotangaza imani yao.

Miraculous events took place in the past in order to endorse the messages preached by God’s messengers, and to warn people against rejecting them. Such rejection ensured that the whole community was punished. Yet only those whose hearts and minds were receptive to the message of the truth declared their belief.

Wale walio na nyoyo ngumu walikanusha ujumbe wa Mwenyezi Mungu na matukio ya kimiujiza yaliyotokea wakati wao. Kwa hiyo ujumbe wa mwisho haukuambatana na tukio lolote la namna hiyo la kiajabu: "Hakuna kinachotuzuia kutuma ishara za kimiujiza isipokuwa watu wa zama zilizopita waliziona kuwa za uongo. Kwa Thamūd Tulitoa ngamia jike kuwa ishara ili kuwafungua macho, lakini wakamkosea kwa kumtendea vibaya. Hatutumi ishara kwa madhumuni mengine ila kuonya." (Aya ya 59)

Those with hardened hearts denied God’s messages and the miraculous events that took place during their time. Hence the final message was not accompanied by any such preternatural event: “Nothing hinders Us from sending miraculous signs except that the people of former times treated them as false. To the Thamūd We gave the she-camel as a sign to open their eyes, but they did wrong in respect of her. We never send signs for any purpose other than to give warning.” (Verse 59)

Maono aliyoonyeshwa Mtume ﷺ yalijumuisha ulimwengu mzima ambao hakuwahi kuujua hapo awali. Aya inayorejelea maono hayo pia inataja mti uliolaaniwa ambao hutoa chakula kinacholiwa Jahannamu na wale wanaomfuata Shetani. Sura inafuatia hapo kwa picha ambayo tunamwona shetani akitishia kuwapoteza wanadamu.

The vision the Prophet was shown included a complete world that he had not known before. The verse that refers to this vision also mentions the accursed tree which provides the food eaten in hell by those who follow Satan. The sūrah follows this with an image in which we see the devil threatening to seduce human beings.

Tulipowaambia malaika, "Msujuduni Adam," wote wakasujudu; isipokuwa Iblisi. Alisema, "Je, niinamie yule uliyemuumba kwa udongo?" Akaongeza: "Huyu ndiye uliyemtukuza juu yangu! Kwa kweli, ukinipa muda mpaka Siku ya Kiyama, nitawachukua wazao wake wote, isipokuwa wachache, niwatawale." [Mungu] alisema: "Ondoka! Kwa yeyote kati yao atakayekufuata, Jahannamu itakuwa malipo yenu nyote, malipo kamili kabisa."

When We said to the angels, ‘Prostrate yourselves before Adam,’ they all prostrated themselves; but not so Iblīs. He said, Am I to bow down before one whom You have created out of clay?’ And he added: ‘You see this being whom You have exalted above me! Indeed, if You will give me respite until the Day of Resurrection, I shall bring his descendants, all but a few, under my sway’ [God] said: Begone! As for those of them who follow you, hell will be the recompense of you all, a most ample recompense.

Wapoteze kwa sauti yako wale wote unaoweza miongoni mwao, na wakusanyie dhidi yao wapanda farasi wako wote na watembea kwa miguu wako, na shirikiana nao katika mali na watoto, na uwaahidi [utakayoyaahidi]. Hakika yale ambayo shetani anawaahidi si chochote ila ni udanganyifu. Lakini juu ya waja wangu hutakuwa na mamlaka yoyote. Mola wako Mlezi anatosha kuwa Mtetezi.’ (Aya 61-65)

Entice with your voice such of them as you can. Muster against them all your cavalry and your infantry, and share with them wealth and offspring, and promise them [what you will] — indeed, whatever Satan promises them is nothing but a means of deception. But over My servants you shall have no power. Your Lord is sufficient as a Guardian.’ (Verses 61-65)

Hii ndiyo sababu halisi ya mwelekeo wa wale wanaopotoka inavyofichuka. Hili ni onyo kwa wanadamu wawe makini, wasije wakapotoka. Hapa wanaona Iblisi, adui yao na adui wa Adamu, baba wa wanadamu wote, akiapa kuwapotosha wawaondoe kwenye haki. Ni juhudi ya dhati kwa upande wake ya kuwapoteza:

Thus the real reason behind the attitude of those who go astray is revealed. This serves as a warning to mankind to be careful, lest they go astray. They see here Iblīs, their enemy and the enemy of Adam, the father of all mankind, threatening to tempt them away from the truth. It is a determined effort on his part to lead them astray:

Shetani hutafuta kumletea mwanadamu uovu peke yake, lakini wako watu wanaosikiliza vishawishi vyake na kutekeleza amri zake, wakigeuka migongo yao kutoka kwenye mwongozo wa Mungu. Mungu huwa mwenye rehema kwao daima: huwapa msaada, usaidizi na mwongozo, huwarahisishia maisha, huwaokoa na madhara, huondoa dhiki zao, na huwajibu wanapomwomba Yeye kuondoa mateso na shida zao. Lakini licha ya haya yote, wao hugeuka na kumkataa Yeye pamoja na ujumbe alioutuma kwao:

Satan tries to inflict only evil on mankind, yet there are those who listen to his temptations and do his bidding, turning their backs on God’s guidance. God is always merciful to them, provides them with help, support and guidance, facilitates their living, saves them from harm, removes their distress and responds to them when they pray to Him to lift their suffering and hardship. Yet despite all this, they turn away, denying Him and the message He has sent them:

Bwana wenu ndiye anayezifanya merikebu zipite baharini kwa urahisi, ili mtafute fadhila zake. Hakika yeye ni Mwenye kurehemu sana kwenu. Na mnapokuwa katika dhiki baharini, wale wote mnaowaomba msaada watawaacha, isipokuwa yeye peke yake.

Your Lord is He who makes ships go smoothly through the sea, so that you may go about in quest of His bounty. He is indeed most merciful to you. And when you are in distress at sea, all those you may call upon to help you will forsake you, except Him.

Lakini Alipokufikisheni salama nchi kavu, mnageuka. Hakika mwanadamu ni asiyeshukuru sana!

Yet when He has brought you safe to dry land, you turn away. Indeed, bereft of all gratitude is man! (Verses 66-67)

Sūrah hii inaonyesha tukio hili la dhiki baharini kama mfano wa nyakati ngumu.

The sūrah portrays this scene of distress at sea by way of an example of hard times.

Baharini, watu hutambua kwa haraka na kwa undani zaidi kwamba hawawezi kuishi bila msaada wa Mungu. Chombo chochote wanachotumia, iwe mashua au meli, si zaidi ya kipande kidogo cha mbao au chuma juu ya uso wa bahari kubwa isiyo na mwisho. Kinatawaliwa na upepo na mikondo inayovuma kwa mwelekeo tofauti. Wanashikilia uhai wao juu ya kipande hicho kidogo, chombo chao, ambacho kinahitaji ulinzi wa Mungu kuliko kitu kingine chochote.

At sea, people realize much more quickly and keenly that they cannot do without God’s help. Any boat or ship they use is no more than a little spot of wood or metal on the surface of an endless great sea. It is subject to the winds and currents that travel in different directions. They cling to life over this little spot, their vessel, which needs God’s care more than anything else.

Mwenyezi Mungu amemtukuza mwanadamu, akimpendelea jamii ya binadamu kuliko viumbe wengi wa Kwake. Alimtukuza mwanadamu alipomuumba kwa namna hii mahsusi, akimpa maumbile yanayojumuisha sifa za udongo aliotokana nao, pamoja na roho aliyopuliziwa. Hivyo, katika muundo wake anaunganisha vipengele vya mbinguni na vya ardhini. Mwenyezi Mungu pia amemtukuza mwanadamu kwa kuweka katika maumbile yake uwezo wa kumwezesha kuiongoza ardhi, kuwa hai na kuleta mabadiliko ndani yake. Hivyo, binadamu huanzisha na kuzalisha mambo mapya, huunganisha vitu pamoja na kuchambua mambo tata ili kuinua maisha hadi kiwango cha juu kabisa kinachoweza kufikiwa.

God has honoured mankind, favouring the human race over many of His creatures. He honoured man when He created him in this particular fashion, giving him a nature that combines the characteristics of clay, from which he was made, and the spirit that was breathed into him. Thus he combines elements of heaven and earth in his constitution. God has also honoured man by placing in Op his nature such faculties that make him able to take charge of the earth, able to be active and make changes in it. Thus human beings initiate and produce new things, combine things together and analyse complex matters in order to elevate life to the highest standard attainable.

Mungu pia amemtukuza binadamu kwa kuyafanya nguvu za asili duniani ziwe chini ya mapenzi yake na juhudi zake, na kwa kuzifanya nguvu nyingine za asili zinazofanya kazi katika ulimwengu ziwe msaada kwake. Kipengele kingine cha heshima ambayo Mungu amempa binadamu kinaonekana katika mapokezi aliyopewa alipoumbwa mara ya kwanza. Ilikuwa ni mapokezi ambapo malaika walijiinamisha kwa ishara ya heshima, kwa kuwa Mungu mwenyewe alitangaza kwamba binadamu anapaswa kutukuzwa. Kisha inakuja heshima ya ziada pale Mungu anapoeleza katika kitabu chake, kilichoteremshwa kutoka juu na ambacho alihakikisha kitabaki kikiwa salama hadi mwisho wa wakati, kwamba binadamu amepewa nafasi ya heshima.

God has also honoured man by making natural forces on earth subservient to his will and endeavour, and by making other natural forces operating in the universe helpful to him. A further aspect of the honour God has given man is seen in the reception given him when he was first created. It was a reception in which the angels prostrated themselves in a gesture of respect, because God Himself declared that man is to be honoured. Then there comes the additional honour when God states in His book, sent down from on high and which He guaranteed to remain intact for the rest of time, that man is given a position of honour.

Hakika tumewatukuza wana wa Adam, tukawabeba katika nchi kavu na baharini, tukawaruzuku riziki njema, na tukawapendelea kwa ubora mkubwa kuliko viumbe wengi wa Kwetu. (Aya ya 70)

We have indeed honoured the children of Adam, and borne them over land and sea, and provided for them sustenance out of the good things of life, and favoured them far above many of Our creatures. (Verse 70)