Sura hii, Waumini, au al-Mu’minūn, imejulikana kwa jina lake ambalo linaeleza wazi mada yake. Inaanza kwa muhtasari wa sifa za waumini, kisha inatoa maelezo kuhusu dalili za imani katika nafsi ya binadamu na katika ulimwengu kwa ujumla. Kisha inaendelea kueleza kiini cha imani kama kilivyofundishwa na mitume wa Mwenyezi Mungu tangu wakati wa Nuhu hadi Muhammad ﷺ, mtume wa mwisho kabisa wa manabii na mitume, (rehema na amani ziwe juu yao wote). Pia inajadili upotofu wa wale wanaokataa imani, pingamizi zao na upinzani wao thabiti unaowalazimisha mitume wa Mwenyezi Mungu kumwomba Yeye msaada. Hapo ndipo Mwenyezi Mungu huwaadhibu wakanushaji na kuwaokoa waumini. Kisha sura inataja ukweli kwamba, baada ya mitume wa Mwenyezi Mungu kufariki, watu huingia katika mabishano kuhusu ukweli huu usiokubali mabadiliko.

This sūrah, The Believers, or al-Mu’minūn, is defined by its name which makes its subject matter very clear. It begins with an outline of the believers’ qualities, and presents an exposition on the indicators of faith in both the human soul and the universe at large. It then moves on to present the essence of faith as expostulated by God’s messengers since the time of Noah up to Muhammad, the last of all prophets and messengers, (peace be upon them all). It also discusses the fallacies of those who deny faith, their objections and determined opposition that compel God’s messengers to appeal to Him for help. At this point, God punishes the rejecters and saves the believers. The sūrah then refers to the fact that, after God’s messengers have passed away, people fall into contention about this truth that admits no variation.

Hili ni fursa ya kujadili na kulaani mtazamo usio na haki ambao washirikina wa Kiarabu walimchukulia mjumbe wa mwisho wa Mungu, Muhammad ﷺ. Sura inahitimishwa kwa picha ya Siku ya Hukumu ambapo tunaona hatima wanayoipata wale wanaokataa ukweli wa imani. Wanakemewa vikali kwa mtazamo wao.

This provides an opportunity to discuss and denounce the unjustified attitude the Arab idolaters took to God’s last messenger, Muhammad (peace be upon him). The sūrah closes with a scene of the Day of Judgement in which we see the fate suffered by those who reject the truth of faith. They are strongly reproached for their attitude.

Onyesho hili linamalizika kwa kauli inayosisitiza tena ukweli wa umoja kamili wa Mungu, pamoja na dua ya kutafuta rehema na msamaha Wake.

This scene concludes with a statement re-emphasizing the truth of God’s absolute oneness and a prayer for His mercy and forgiveness.

Kwa hiyo, sūrah hii ni kama majina yake yanavyosema: Al-Muuminuun, au sūrah ya imani pamoja na mambo yake yote, vipengele vyake na asili yake. Imani basi ndiyo inayotoa mada yake kuu.

As such, the sūrah is what its titles say, The Believers, or the sūrah of faith with all its issues, aspects and nature. Faith then provides its central theme.

Sura hii inaweza kugawanywa katika sehemu nne. Ya kwanza inaanza kwa kauli kwamba mafanikio yamehakikishwa kwa waumini: “Hakika wamefaulu waumini.” (Aya ya 1) Inatoa maelezo ya kina ya sifa za waumini hao ambao wana hakika ya kufanikiwa. Ikirejea dalili zinazohimiza na kuthibitisha imani, ambazo zinapatikana ndani ya binadamu na katika ulimwengu kwa ujumla, sehemu hii inataja hatua mbalimbali za maisha ya binadamu tangu mwanzo wake hadi mwisho wake. Inafafanua kwa kina inapotaja hatua mbalimbali ambazo kiinitete hupitia, huku ikitoa muhtasari mfupi tu wa hatua nyingine. Kisha inaifuatilia maisha ya binadamu hadi Siku ya Kiyama, kabla ya kuhamia kwenye dalili za imani katika ulimwengu mpana, ikirejea uumbaji wa mbingu, mvua inayonyesha kutoka mawinguni, na kuotesha mimea, miti na matunda. Pia inataja wanyama waliowekwa chini ya uwezo wa binadamu, meli zinazopita baharini, na uwezo wa binadamu wa kutumia meli na wanyama hao kwa usafiri.

The sūrah may be divided into four parts. The first begins with a statement that success is assured for the believers: “Truly, successful shall be the believers.” (Verse 1) It provides a detailed account, of the qualities of those believers who are certain to be successful. Referring to signs that encourage and endorse faith, which are found both in human beings and in the universe at large, this part mentions the different stages of human life from its early beginnings to its final end. It elaborates much when it mentions the different stages an embryo goes through while providing only a brief outline of other stages. It then follows human life up to the Day of Resurrection before moving on to signs of faith in the wide universe, referring to the creation of the heavens, rain falling from the sky, bringing forth vegetation, plants and fruits. It also mentions animals that are placed at the disposal of human beings, ships traversing the seas and man’s ability to use such ships and animals for transport.

Sehemu ya pili inatupeleka kutoka kwenye dalili zinazoonyesha ukweli wa imani hadi kwenye majadiliano ya ukweli wa imani kama ulivyofundishwa na wajumbe wote wa Mwenyezi Mungu, bila kuacha hata mmoja: "Enyi watu wangu, mwabuduni Mwenyezi Mungu peke yake, kwani hamna mungu mwingine isipokuwa Yeye." (Aya ya 23) Hili ni kauli aliyoitoa Nuhu, na kila mjumbe aliyemfuata, mpaka Muhammad ﷺ, Mjumbe wa mwisho wa Mwenyezi Mungu. Wasioamini daima walitoa pingamizi zilezile: "Huyu si chochote ila ni binadamu kama nyinyi," na "Mwenyezi Mungu angetaka, angeteremsha malaika." (Aya ya 24) Pingamizi jingine lilihusu ahadi aliyotoa mjumbe wa Mwenyezi Mungu: "Je, huyu anawaahidi kwamba baada ya kufa na kuwa udongo na mifupa, mtatolewa tena hai?" (Aya ya 35) Matokeo yake daima yalikuwa kwamba wajumbe walimwomba Mwenyezi Mungu msaada. Yeye aliitikia dua zao na kuwaangamiza wasioamini. Sehemu hii inamalizika kwa hotuba kwa wajumbe wote: "Kuleni vilivyo vizuri, na fanyeni matendo mema; hakika Mimi najua vyema yote mnayoyatenda."

The second part takes us from the indicators pointing out the reality of faith to a discussion of the truth of faith as advocated by all God’s messengers, without exception: “My people, worship God alone: for you have no deity other than Him.” (Verse 23) This is a statement made by Noah, and by every messenger that followed him, up to Muhammad, God’s final Messenger. The unbelievers always made the same objections: “This man is but a mortal like yourselves,” and “had God willed, He would have surely sent down angels.” (Verse 24) Another objection refers to the promise made by God’s messengers: “Does he promise you that, after you have died and become dust and bones, you shall be brought forth to life?” (Verse 35) The result was always that messengers appealed to God for support. He answered their appeals and destroyed the unbelievers. This part concludes with an address to all messengers: “Eat of that which is wholesome, and do good deeds: I certainly have full knowledge of all that you do.

Hakika umma yenu hii ni umma moja, nami ndiye Mola wenu pekee. Basi nicheni Mimi peke yangu.” (Aya 51-52)

This community of yours is one single community, and I am your only Lord. Therefore, fear Me alone.” (Verses 51-52)

Sehemu ya tatu inazungumzia jinsi, baada ya kuondoka kwa mitume wa Mwenyezi Mungu, watu walivyogawanyika na kuingia katika mabishano juu ya ukweli huu wa msingi: "Watu wamejigawanya katika makundi, kila kundi likifurahia kile walicho nacho." (Aya ya 53) Pia inazungumzia watu kutojali ukweli kwamba Mungu huwajaribu kwa neema anazowapa. Wamedanganywa na mali wanayoifurahia. Waumini, kwa upande mwingine, wanabaki wakimcha Mungu, wanamwabudu Yeye peke yake na hawamshirikishi na chochote. Wakati huo huo wanabaki macho kikamilifu, wakiwa na hofu kuu mioyoni mwao: "Nao wanatoa wanayotoa, na nyoyo zao zimejaa khofu, kwa kuwa hakika watarejea kwa Mola wao." (Aya ya 60) Katika hatua hii, panachorwa picha ya wale waliokuwa hawajali ukweli wa imani, wakizidiwa na adhabu ya Mungu. Wanalia wakiomba msaada, lakini wanakemewa vikali: "Hakika Aya zangu zilikuwa zikisomwa kwenu, lakini mlikuwa mnageuka nyuma kwa kiburi chenu, mkiwa mnaizungumzia usiku kwa maneno ya upuuzi." (Aya 66-67) Sura hii inalaani mwenendo wao kwa Mjumbe wa Mwenyezi Mungu ambaye walikuwa wakimjua vizuri kuwa ni mwaminifu na mkweli. Sasa kwa kuwa amewajia na ujumbe wa ukweli, bila kuomba ujira wowote, vipi wanaweza kumkataa yeye na ukweli anaouhubiri? Ingawa wanakiri kwamba mbingu na ardhi, na kila kilichomo, ni cha Mungu, ambavyo vyote viko chini ya utawala wake kwa kuwa Yeye ndiye Mola wao pekee, bado wanakataa dhana yenyewe ya ufufuo. Wanaenda mbali zaidi katika uongo wao, wakidai kwamba Mungu ana mwana na kumshirikisha na washirika. "Ametakasika na utukufu juu ya yale wanayomshirikisha nayo." (Aya ya 92)

The third part speaks about the fact that after God’s messengers had gone, people were divided and fell into contention over this essential truth: “People have divided themselves into factions, each delighting in what they have.” (Verse 53) It further speaks about people being oblivious of the fact that God tests them with the blessings He bestows on them. They are deluded by the riches they enjoy. The believers, on the other hand, remain God-fearing, worship Him alone and associate no partners with Him. At the same time they remain fully alert, with awe in their hearts: “Their hearts lard filled with awe, knowing that to their Lord they shall certainly return.” (Verse 60) At this point, an image is portrayed showing those who were oblivious of the truth of faith being overwhelmed by God’s punishment. They cry out for help, but they are strongly reproached: “Time and again were My revelations recited to you, but every time you would turn about on your heels, revelling in your arrogance, and talking senselessly far into the night.” (Verses 66-67) The sūrah denounces their attitude towards God’s Messenger whom they knew well to be honest and truthful. Now that he has come to them with the message of the truth, asking for no wages, how can they reject him and the truth he advocates? Although they acknowledge that to God belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth, which are all under His control as He is their only Lord, they reject the very concept of resurrection. They go further in their falsehood, claiming that God has a son and associating partners with Him. “Sublimely exalted is He above anything they associate as partner with Him.” (Verse 92)

Sehemu ya mwisho inageuka mbali nao na madai yao ili kumwelekea Mtume, ikimwambia aukabili uovu kwa kile kilicho bora, na kujikinga kwa Mungu na uovu wa mashetani. Asikasirike wala asihuzunike kwa wanayosema. Aidha, hapa kuna picha ya Siku ya Hukumu inayoeleza adhabu, mateso na udhalilifu unaowangojea huko. Sūrah inahitimishwa kwa kusema kwamba Mungu daima yuko juu kabisa ya yote wanayomsingizia: “Ametakasika Mungu, Mfalme wa haki, Mkweli. Hakuna mungu isipokuwa Yeye, Mola wa Kiti kitukufu.” (Aya ya 116) Pia inathibitisha kwamba wasioamini kamwe hawatafanikiwa, ilhali kufanikiwa kwa waumini kumethibitishwa mwanzoni mwa sūrah.

The final part turns away from them and their claims in order to address the Prophet, telling him to repel evil with what is better, and to seek refuge with God from the evil of satans. He must not be angered or grieved by what they say. In addition, we have here a scene of the Day of Judgement describing the punishment, suffering and humiliation that await them there. The sūrah concludes by stating that God always remains exalted above all that they say about Him: “Sublimely exalted is God, the Ultimate Sovereign, the Ultimate Truth. There is no deity other than Him, the Lord of the Glorious Throne.” (Verse 116) It also asserts that the unbelievers will never be successful, whereas the believers’ success is confirmed at the beginning of the sūrah:

"Yeyote anayemwomba mungu mwingine badala ya Mungu – mungu ambaye hana ushahidi wowote wa kuwepo kwake – atahesabiwa mbele ya Mola wake. Hakika, makafiri kamwe hawatafanikiwa." (Aya ya 117) Tena, amri inatolewa ya kutafuta rehema na msamaha wa Mungu: "Sema: Mola wangu! Nisamehe na unirehemu. Wewe ndiye bora wa wanaorehemu." (Aya ya 118)

“He that invokes besides God any other deity – a deity for whose existence he has no evidence – shall be brought to account before his Lord. Most certainly, the unbelievers shall never be successful.” (Verse 117) Again, an instruction is given to seek God’s mercy and forgiveness: “Say: My Lord! Forgive and have mercy. You are the best of those who show mercy.” (Verse 118)

Sura hii inaeneza hali ya maelezo na ukweli wa kiukweli, ikichanganyika na hoja tulivu, mantiki safi na msukumo wa kiroho. Mada yake ni imani, na imani ndiyo inayoipa mazingira yake ya kipekee. Mwanzoni tunawaona waumini “wanaonyenyekea katika sala zao,” na katikati wanaelezwa kwa maneno haya: “Wanatoa wanachotoa huku mioyo yao ikijaa khofu, wakijua kwamba kwa Mola wao hakika watarejea.” (Aya ya 60) Kwa mfano wa msukumo wa sura hii tunaweza kuchukua: “Ndiye aliyekupa kusikia, na kuona, na akili: ni nadra kiasi gani mnavyoshukuru.” (Aya ya 78). Kwa hakika sura nzima inaakisi hali tulivu ya imani.

The sūrah spreads an air of explanation and factual statement, mixed with calm argument, pure logic and inspiration. Its subject matter is faith, and faith gives it its special ambience. At the beginning we see the believers “who humble themselves in their prayer,” and in the middle they are described in the following terms: “They give away whatever they have to give with their hearts filled with awe, knowing that to their Lord they shall certainly return.” (Verse 60) For an example of the inspiration of the sūrah we may take: “It is He who has endowed you with hearing, and sight, and minds: how seldom are you grateful.” (Verse 78). Indeed the entire sūrah reflects a gentle air of faith.