Kwa wale waliotumwa mfululizo kwa kasi; na wale wanaovuma kwa dhoruba; na wale wanaotawanya mbali na mbali; na wale wanaotenganisha [haki na batili] kwa uwazi kabisa; na wale wanaotoa ukumbusho kwa udhuru na onyo, kile mlichoahidiwa hakika kitatimia.

By those sent forth in swift succession; and those tempestuously storming on; and those scattering far and wide; and those separating [right and wrong] with all clarity; and those giving a reminder with an excuse and a warning, what you have been promised shall be fulfilled.

(Mistari 1-7)

(Verses 1-7)

Swali hapa ni lile la ufufuo, ambalo makafiri waliona ni gumu sana kulikubali, ingawa Qur'ani inalithibitisha mara kwa mara, katika sura nyingi, na kwa njia mbalimbali. Ilikuwa ni lazima hasa kwa Qur'ani kuchukua tahadhari kubwa katika kuthibitisha ukweli wa ufufuo, ili imani iweze kuimarishwa ipasavyo katika akili na nyoyo za watu, na zaidi ya hapo, viwango vyao na thamani zao zipate kufafanuliwa upya.

The question here is that of the resurrection which the unbelievers found very hard to accept, yet the Qur’an confirms it time after time, in many surahs, and in various ways. It was especially necessary that the Qur’an take such care in establishing the truth of resurrection, this so that the faith can be properly established in peoples minds and hearts and further that their standards and values could then be redefined.

Imani kwa Siku ya Hukumu ndiyo msingi mkuu wa imani ya kimungu na wa maisha ya mwanadamu. Ndiyo kitovu ambacho mambo yote ya maisha yanazunguka, na kipimo kinachopima thamani na viwango vyote. Kwa hiyo, kuthibitisha ukweli wa ufufuo, na kisha hesabu na hukumu, kulihitaji juhudi endelevu na kubwa.

Belief in the Day of Judgement is the corner-stone of both the divine faith and human life. It is the pivot around which everything in life turns, and the criterion that judges all values and standards. Hence, establishing the truth of resurrection and subsequent reckoning and judgement needed such a sustained effort.

Sura hii inaanza kwa kiapo cha Mungu kwamba ahadi hii ya maisha ya baadaye ni hakika kabisa. Namna kiapo hicho kinavyotamkwa inaashiria kwamba kitu ambacho Mungu anaapa kwacho kinahusu ulimwengu usioonekana kwa macho na akili zetu. Kinataja nguvu zilizofichika ambazo zina athari dhahiri juu ya ulimwengu na juu ya maisha ya binadamu. Wanazuoni wa mwanzo walitofautiana kuhusu nguvu hizo ni zipi: wengine walisema kwamba zote zinarejea kwenye pepo, wengine walisema kwamba zinarejea kwa malaika, na kundi la tatu lilisema kwamba baadhi zinarejea kwenye pepo na baadhi kwa malaika. Ni wazi basi kwamba maneno haya yana maana nyingi, na hilo ndilo linalolifanya yafae zaidi kwa kiapo cha Mungu kinachothibitisha jambo ambalo Yeye peke yake ndiye anayelijua.

Mwanzo huu wa kushangaza sasa unafuatwa na mshtuko mkubwa tunapoonyeshwa picha za matukio makubwa yanayotokea katika ulimwengu siku iliyopangwa kwa ajili ya Mitume wa Mwenyezi Mungu kuwasilisha matokeo ya kufikisha ujumbe wa Mwenyezi Mungu kwa vizazi vyote vya wanadamu:

This enigmatic beginning is now followed by a strong jolt as we are shown images of great events that take place in the universe on the day appointed for Gods messengers to present the results of their having delivered the divine message to all generations of mankind:

Wakati nyota zitakapofifia, na mbingu zitakapopasuka, na milima itakapotawanyika kama vumbi, na mitume watakapopewa wakati wao uliowekwa... Hizi zote zimewekwa kwa siku gani? Kwa Siku ya Kutofautisha. Na nini kitakujulisha Siku ya Kutofautisha ni nini? Siku hiyo, ole wao wanaokanusha ukweli.

When the stars are dimmed, and the sky is rent asunder, and the mountains are scattered like dust, and the messengers are given their appointed time... For what day has all this been set? For the day of distinction. Would that you knew what the day of distinction is! Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth. (Verses 8-15)

Siku hiyo, nyota zitapoteza mwanga wake, anga litapasuka, na milima itavunjika na kutawanyika kama vumbi. Picha kama hizi za msukosuko huu wa ulimwengu mzima zimetolewa katika surah kadhaa, zote zikionyesha kwamba mfumo wa ulimwengu tunaouona utaanguka, na kuanguka kwake kutaambatana na milipuko na mishindo mikubwa isiyofanana na matukio madogo zaidi - volkano kulipuka, radi, matetemeko ya ardhi na mengineyo - ambayo hata hivyo huwatia watu hofu kubwa sana. Kulinganisha yatakayotokea siku hiyo na volkano na matetemeko ya ardhi ni sawa na kulinganisha moto wa sherehe unaowashwa kwenye siku za furaha na milipuko ya nyuklia. Hili ni kwa ajili tu ya kutoa wazo la yatakayotokea. Kwa kweli, haiwezekani kueleza hofu kubwa itakayotokea ulimwengu utakapolipuka na kutawanyika. Hofu hiyo iko nje ya kila mawazo ya kibinadamu.

On that day, the stars lose their light, and the sky is split apart, while the mountains crash and scatter like dust. Similar images of this universal upheaval are given in several surahs, all suggesting that the system of the universe we see will collapse and its collapse will be accompanied by great crashes and explosions unlike any of the smaller events - volcanoes erupting, thunderbolts, earthquakes and the like - that nonetheless leave people absolutely terrified. To compare what will happen on that day to volcanoes and earthquakes is the same as comparing bonfires organized on festive occasions to nuclear explosions. This is merely to give an idea of what will happen. In fact, it is impossible to describe the great horror that will take place when the universe explodes and scatters. That horror is beyond all human imagination.

Duru ya kwanza inayotupeleka kwenye msukosuko mkubwa wa ulimwengu unaotarajiwa siku ya Kiyama inafuatiwa na duru inayorejea kwenye hatima walizopata jamii zilizotangulia ambazo zilikikataa dini ya Mwenyezi Mungu. Jamii za baadaye zingeweza kufuata mara moja baada yao.

The first round taking us to the expected universal upheaval on the Day of Judgement is followed by one going back to the fates suffered by earlier communities that rejected the divine faith. Later communities could follow on their heels:

Je, hatukuwaangamiza watu wa kale? Kisha tutawafuatisha wengine baadaye. Hivyo ndivyo tunavyowatendea wakosefu. Ole wao siku hiyo wale wanaokanusha haki!

Did We not destroy those people of old? We shall certainly cause later ones to follow them. Thus do We deal with the guilty. Woe on that clay betide those who deny the truth. (Verses 16—18)

Pigo moja la kufichua hatima za jamii zilizopita, ingawa zilikuwa nyingi, na pigo jingine la kufichua kile kinachoweza kuwapata jamii zilizofuata, ingawa zinaweza kuwa nyingi. Eneo la uharibifu linaenea hadi mahali ambapo mtu yeyote anaweza kuona. Sasa onyo linajitokeza wazi, likieleza sheria ambayo Mungu ameiweka kuwa ikifanya kazi.

One strike to reveal the fates of past communities, numerous as they were and another to reveal what could happen to later ones, numerous as they may be. The scene of destruction stretches as far as anyone can see. Now the warning comes clear, stating the law God set in operation:

“Hivyo ndivyo Tunavyowatendea wahalifu.” (Aya ya 18) Hiyo ni sheria Yake isiyoshindwa kamwe. Kwa kuwa wahalifu wanatarajia hatima kama ile ya jamii zilizotangulia, onyo la maangamizi yanayokuja linarudiwa: “Ole wao siku hiyo wale wanaokanusha haki.” (Aya ya 19)

“Thus do We deal with the guilty.” (Verse 18) It is His law that never fails. As those who are guilty expect a fate like earlier communities, the warning of impending doom is repeated: “ Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth” Verse 19)

Raundi inayofuata inawahusu walio hai na jinsi wanavyoletwa uhai, kulingana na mpango wa kina.

The next round turns to the living and how they are brought into life, in accordance with elaborate planning:

Je, Sisi hatukukuumba kutokana na maji ya kudharauliwa? Kisha tukaliweka katika makazi salama kwa muda maalum uliopangwa. Hivyo ndivyo Tulivyopanga, na Sisi ndio Wapangaji bora kabisa. Ole wao siku hiyo kwa wale wanaokanusha.

Have We not created you from a humble fluid, placing it in a safe lodging for a pre-determined term? Thus have We determined; excellent indeed is how We determine. Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth. (Verses 20-24)

Baada ya kuijaza hisia zetu na athari kama hizi za picha na mizunguko hii, sura ghafla inahamia Siku ya Hukumu, siku ambayo hesabu inakaguliwa na malipo yanaamuliwa. Amri ya kutisha inatolewa kwa wakosefu kwenda zao kuelekea adhabu waliyokuwa wakiikanusha. Amri hiyo inaambatanishwa na lawama kali na yenye kuumiza.

Having filled our senses with such effects as these images and rounds produce, the surah suddenly moves to the Day of Judgement when accounts are checked and requital determined. The dreaded command is given to the guilty to go on their way to suffer the punishment they were wont to deny. The command is coupled with a strong and painful rebuke:

Endeeni kwenye kile mlichokuwa mkikikanusha! Endeeni kwenye kivuli kinachotanda katika nguzo tatu; ambacho hakitoi kivuli wala kinga dhidi ya moto. Hutupa cheche kubwa kama ngome, zenye rangi ya manjano kama ngamia wa rangi ya dhahabu. Ole wao siku hiyo wale wanaoukanusha ukweli.

Go to that which you used to deny! Go to a shadow rising in three columns; giving no shade, nor relief from the flame. It throws up sparks as huge as forts, as bright as yellow camels. Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth. (Verses 29-34)

Sasa mmezuiliwa kwa muda mrefu siku hii ya heshima, mnaweza kwenda. Lakini waende wapi? Kubaki kwenye vifungo ni bora zaidi kuliko huu uhuru, kwa sababu wanaambiwa: "Nendeni kwenye kile mlichokuwa mkikikanusha" (Aya ya 29). Kipo hapa mbele ya macho yao. "Nendeni kwenye kivuli kinachopanda katika nguzo tatu" (Aya ya 30). Moshi wa Jahannamu unapanda katika nguzo tatu, ukitoa kivuli ambacho wanaambiwa waende kwake. Hata hivyo, joto la moto ni bora kuliko kivuli hiki, kwa sababu ni "kisichotoa kivuli wala kinachotoa nafuu dhidi ya moto" (Aya ya 31). Ni cha kukaba na kuunguza. Kukiita kivuli au kiparara, neno la Kiarabu zill likibeba maana zote mbili, ni kejeli tu.

Now that you have been long restrained on this day of distinction, you may go. But where can they go? To remain constrained is much better than this release, because they are told: “Go to that which you used to deny” (Verse 29) It is present here before their very eyes. “Go to a shadow rising in three columns” (Verse 30) The smoke of hell rises in three columns giving a shadow to which they are told to go. Yet the scorch of the flame is better than this shadow, because it is “giving no shade, nor relief from the flame” (Verse 31) It is suffocating and burning. To call it a shadow or shade, the Arabic word zill carrying both meanings, is merely sarcastic.

Wanaambiwa waende, nao wanajua watapaswa kwenda wapi.

They are told to go, and they know where they will have to go.

Sura hii inatupa picha ya wacha Mungu na jinsi wanavyoheshimiwa siku hiyo:

Now the surah gives us an image of the God-fearing and how they are honoured on that day:

Hakika wacha Mungu watakaa katika vivuli vya baridi na chemchemi, na matunda kama wanavyotamani. Kuleni na kunyweni mpaka mioyo yenu ishibe kwa malipo ya mliyokuwa mkiyafanya. Hivyo ndivyo tunavyowalipa wale wanaotenda mema. Ole wao siku hiyo wale wanaokanusha haki. (Aya 41-45)

The God-fearing shall dwell amid cool shades and springs, and fruits as they may desire. Eat and drink to your hearts content in return for what you did. Thus do We reward those who do good. Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth. (Verses 41^45)

Vivuli ambavyo wacha Mungu wanavifurahia ni vya kweli, tofauti na kivuli cha nguzo tatu ambacho hakitoi kinga yoyote kutoka kwenye moto. Wanaishi kati ya chemchemi za maji, si katikati ya moshi unaonyonga. Wana "matunda yoyote watakayoyatamani." (Aya ya 42) Zaidi ya hayo, anasa hizi za kimwili wanapewa mbele ya watu wote waliokusanyika siku hiyo. Wote wanasikiliza wakati wacha Mungu wanapoheshimiwa: "Kuleni na kunywa kwa kushiba mioyo yenu kwa sababu ya yale mliyokuwa mkitenda. Hivyo ndivyo tunavyowalipa wanaotenda mema." (Aya ya 43–44) Heshima hii ya kirafiki anayowapa Mwenyezi Mungu inapendeza kiasi gani. Kinyume chake, onyo linarudiwa kwa kundi lingine: "Ole wao siku hiyo wale wanaokanusha ukweli." (Aya ya 45)

These shades the God-fearing enjoy are real ones, unlike the shadow of three columns that gives no protection from the fire. They dwell among springs of water, not in the midst of choking smoke. They have “fruits as they may desire.” (Verse 42) What is more is that such material luxuries are given to them in front of all people gathered on that day. They all listen as the God-fearing are honoured: “Eat and drink to your hearts' content in return for what you did. Thus do We reward those who do good.” 43—44) How welcome is such friendly honour bestowed upon them by the Almighty. In contrast, the warning is repeated to the other group: “ Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth.” (Verse 45)

Sura hadi sasa haijaonyesha lolote kuhusu maisha haya ya sasa. Sasa inatoa muhtasari wa haraka sana wa maisha haya. Tumerudi sasa duniani, ambapo lawama kali zinaelekezwa kwa wale waliotenda dhambi.

The surah has so far shown nothing of this present life. Now it gives a very quick glimpse of it. We are now back on earth, where strong reproach is levelled at those who are guilty:

Kula na ufurahie maisha yako kwa muda kidogo, kwani hakika wewe ni mwenye hatia.

Eat and enjoy your life for a little while, for you are certainly guilty.