Baada ya kutupeleka katika safari pana ya matukio ya ulimwengu yanayovutia, sura inaturudisha kwenye mada yake kuu, yaani adabu njema na thamani za kimaadili ambazo Qur'ani inalenga kuziweka katika jamii ya Waislamu. Tena tunaona kwamba Qur'ani inataka nyoyo zitakaswe ili ziwe angavu, zikiakisi nuru kubwa ambayo Mungu ameiweka mbinguni na ardhini.

Having thus taken us on a broad round of inspiring universal scenes, the sūrah brings us back to its main theme, namely good manners and moral values the Qur’ān aims to establish in the Muslim community. Once more we see that the Qur’ān wants hearts to be purified so as to be bright, reflecting the great light God has placed in the heavens and the earth.

Mapema katika sūrah kulitajwa watu ambao biashara zao na shughuli zao za kibiashara haziwazuii kutekeleza wajibu wao wa kumkumbuka Mwenyezi Mungu, kusimamia Swala kwa utaratibu na kutoa zakāt. Pia ilieleza hali ya makafiri, matendo yao, tabaka za giza wanamoishi na mwisho wao. Sasa sūrah inazungumzia wanafiki, ambao hawanufaiki chochote kwa ishara wazi ambazo Mwenyezi Mungu ameziweka kila mahali karibu nao, wala kwa Wahyi Wake unaobainisha mambo yote kwa uwazi kabisa. Hawa wanageuka kisogo na kuuacha mwongozo wa Mungu. Ingawa wanadai kuwa ni waumini, mwenendo wao ni tofauti kabisa na ule wa waumini wanaomtii Mtume wa Mwenyezi Mungu na kuridhika na hukumu yake katika mambo yao na mizozo yao. Tofauti na kiburi chao, mwenendo wa waumini unathibitisha kile wanachokidai. Na ni waumini ambao Mwenyezi Mungu amewaahidi kuwaweka katika ardhi ambamo wataweza kutekeleza imani yao na kuendesha maisha yao kulingana na mafundisho Yake. Hii ni thawabu yao kwa kuwa na mwelekeo sahihi kwa Mwenyezi Mungu na Mtume Wake, kuwatii katika kila hali, licha ya kwamba makafiri wanawapinga kwa kufanya hivyo. Sūrah inathibitisha tena kwamba makafiri hawawezi kumshinda Mwenyezi Mungu. Watapata adhabu yao ya haki Jahannamu, ambayo ndiyo makazi mabaya kabisa kwa yeyote.

Earlier in the sūrah mention was made of people who are not distracted by their business or commercial dealings from their duties of remembering God, attending regularly to prayers and paying their zakāt. It also highlighted the situation of the unbelievers, their deeds, the layers of darkness in which they live and their eventual destiny. Now the sūrah speaks of the hypocrites who benefit nothing by the clear signs God has placed all around them, or by His revelations that set all things most clearly. These turn their backs on divine guidance. Even though they profess to be believers, their attitude is markedly different from that of believers who obey God’s Messenger and are happy with his judgement in their affairs and disputes. In marked contrast to their arrogance, the believers’ behaviour confirms what they profess. And it is the believers that God has promised to establish in the land where they will be able to practise their faith and conduct their lives in line with His teachings. This is their reward for adopting the right attitude towards God and His Messenger, obeying them in all situations, despite the fact that the unbelievers stand in opposition to them for so doing. The sūrah confirms once again that the unbelievers cannot defy God. They will receive their fair punishment in hell, the worst abode for anyone.

"Tumeteremsha ufunuo unaofafanua mambo; na Mwenyezi Mungu humwongoza kwenye njia iliyonyooka amtakaye [aongozwe]." (Aya ya 46) Ufunuo wa Mwenyezi Mungu hutoa ufafanuzi, na hivyo kuruhusu nuru yake yenye kung'aa kuonekana. Unaashiria vyanzo vya mwongozo wake, ukifafanua lililo jema na lililo ovu. Unaweka wazi mfumo wa maisha wa Kiislamu bila utata wala kutatanisha. Unabainisha kanuni za kimungu ambazo lazima zitekelezwe katika maisha ya binadamu duniani. Watu wanapozitekeleza katika maisha yao na kuzirejea wanapohukumu migogoro yao, wanatekeleza kanuni iliyo wazi, inayotoa dhamana zote za kuhakikisha haki na usawa kwa wote, na isiyoruhusu mkanganyiko kati ya kweli na batili au kati ya halali na haramu.

“We have sent down revelations that make things manifest; and God guides onto a straight way him who wills [to be guided].” (Verse 46) God’s revelations provide clarity, allowing God’s resplendent light to be seen. They point to the sources of His guidance, making clear what is good and what is evil. They set out the Islamic way of life without ambiguity or equivocation. They define the divine rules which must be implemented in human life on earth. When people implement them in their lives and resort to them for judgement in their disputes, they implement a code that is clearly set out, providing all guarantees that ensure equity and justice for all, and which allow no confusion between true and false or permissible and forbidden.

"Mungu huwaongoza kwenye njia iliyo nyoofu yule anayetaka [kuongozwa]." (Aya ya 46) Sentensi ya Kiarabu pia inaweza kusomwa kama "Mungu humwongoza kwenye njia iliyo nyoofu yule amtakaye." Hii ndiyo tafsiri inayokubaliwa na watafsiri wengi. Tukisoma kwa namna hii, sentensi inadhihirisha kwamba mapenzi ya Mungu hayana kizuizi chochote. Hata hivyo, Mungu ameweka njia ya kuhakikisha uongofu. Kila binadamu anayesonga kuelekea njia hiyo bila shaka atapokea nuru na uongofu wa Mungu. Kwa mapenzi ya Mungu, njia yake itafanywa nyepesi hadi atakapofika kwenye lengo lake. Wale wanaogeuka mbali nayo watapoteza nuru yao ya kuongoza na kuwa wagumu katika upotevu. Hivyo ndivyo mapenzi ya Mungu kuhusu kuwapa wanadamu uongofu.

“God guides onto a straight way him who wills [to be guided].” (Verse 46) The Arabic statement could also be read as “God guides whom He wills onto a straight way.” This is indeed the translation adopted by most translators. If we read it in this way then the statement makes clear that God’s will is free from all restriction. However, God has established a way to ensure guidance. Any human being who moves towards that way will definitely receive God’s light and guidance. By God’s will, their path will be made smooth until they reach their destination. Those who turn away from it will lose their guiding light and become hardened in error. Such is God’s will with regard to providing guidance to mankind.

Waumini wa kweli wana mwelekeo tofauti unaoonyesha heshima yao kamili kwa hukumu ya Mwenyezi Mungu. Wanapoitwa ili Mjumbe wa Mwenyezi Mungu ﷺ aamue katika mizozo yao, mwitikio wao unaakisi nuru kubwa iliyo ndani ya nyoyo zao:

True believers have a different attitude that reflects their complete respect for God’s judgement. When they are summoned so that God’s Messenger can arbitrate in their disputes, their reaction reflects the profound enlightenment of their hearts:

"Jibu la waumini, pindi wanapoitwa kwa Mwenyezi Mungu na Mtume wake ili awahukumu baina yao, si jingine ila ni, 'Tumesikia, nasi tunatii.' Hao ndio watakaofaulu." (Aya ya 51)

“The response of believers, whenever they are summoned to God and His Messenger in order that he may judge between them, is none other than, ‘We have heard, and we obey.’ It is they that shall be successful.” (Verse 51)

Huu ni mtazamo wa utii kamili. Hakuna kusita, kubishana wala kutofautiana, kwa sababu ni utii unaotokana na imani kamili kwamba hukumu ya Mungu ni sahihi na ya haki, na chochote kinachopingana nayo kinatokana na upendeleo wa kibinafsi. Utii wa namna hii unashuhudia kujisalimisha kikamilifu kwa Mungu, ambaye hutoa uhai na kuuendesha apendavyo. Unaonyesha imani kamili kwamba kile Mungu anachowachagulia watu ni bora mno kuliko kile wanachojichagulia wenyewe. Mungu, Muumbaji, anaijua viumbe vyake kuliko wao wenyewe wanavyojijua.

This is an attitude of complete obedience. There is no hesitation, argument or dispute, because it is an obedience based on complete trust that God’s judgement is right and just, and whatever differs with it is based on personal prejudice. Such obedience testifies to complete submission to God, who gives life and conducts it as He wills. It demonstrates full trust that what God chooses for people is infinitely better than what they choose for themselves. God, the Creator, knows His creation better than they know themselves.

"Hao ndio watakaofanikiwa." (Aya ya 51) Kwa kuwa Mwenyezi Mungu ndiye anayesimamia mambo yao, anayepanga mahusiano yao na kuwahukumu kwa msingi wa ujuzi Wake na haki Yake, ni wazi kwamba wao wako katika hali bora zaidi kuliko wale wanaotegemea katika mambo kama hayo watu wengine ambao nao wana upungufu wa ujuzi. Zaidi ya hayo, waumini wanafanikiwa kwa sababu wanafuata njia moja iliyonyooka isiyoruhusu kupotoka.

“It is they that shall be successful.” (Verse 51) Since God conducts their affairs, organizes their relations and judges between them on the basis of His knowledge and justice, they must be in a far better position than those who rely, in all such matters, on other human beings who are similarly short of knowledge. Besides, the believers are successful because they follow a single straight path that allows no deviation.

Baada ya msimamo wa wanafiki kujadiliwa na kuhitimishwa, sūrah inawaacha kando na kuzungumzia waumini watiifu. Inaeleza thawabu ya utiifu wa dhati na imani ya kujitolea. Sehemu ya kwanza ya thawabu hiyo hutolewa katika maisha haya, kabla ya binadamu kuhesabiwa siku ya Kiyama.

Once the attitude of the hypocrites has been discussed and settled, the sūrah leaves them aside and speaks about obedient believers. It outlines the reward of sincere obedience and proactive faith. The first instalment of such reward is given in this life, before human beings are held to account on the Day of Resurrection.

Mwenyezi Mungu amewaahidi wale kati yenu walioamini na kutenda mema kwamba, hakika, atawapa madaraka duniani kama alivyowapa wale waliokuwa kabla yao; na kwamba, hakika, atautia imara kwao dini Aliyowachagulia; na kwamba, hakika, atabadilisha hali yao ya zamani ya hofu kuwa hali ya amani. Hivyo wataniabudu Mimi peke yangu, wala hawatanishirikisha na chochote. Lakini wale watakaokufuru baada ya hayo, basi hao ndio mafasiki.

God has promised those of you who believe and do good deeds that, of a certainty, He will cause them to accede to power on earth, in the same way as He caused those who lived before them to accede to it; and that, of a certainty, He will firmly establish for them the religion which He has chosen for them; and that, of a certainty, He will cause their erstwhile state of fear to be replaced by a state of security. They will thus worship Me alone and associate with Me no partners whatsoever. Those who, after this, choose to disbelieve are indeed wicked. (Verse 55)

Hiyo ndiyo ahadi ya Mwenyezi Mungu kwa waumini wanaotenda mema na kufuata uongozi wa Mtume Muhammad ﷺ. Watapewa madaraka na watathibitishwa katika ardhi.

Such is God’s promise to the believers who do good deeds and follow the Prophet Muhammad’s guidance. They will be given power and will be established on earth.

Hali yao ya hofu itabadilishwa kuwa hali ya kutulizwa moyo na usalama. Ahadi ya Mungu daima hutimia. Kwa hiyo, ni muhimu kuuliza kuhusu asili ya imani na utekelezaji wa vitendo wa ahadi hii na Mungu.

Their state of fear will be replaced by a state of reassurance and security. God’s promise will always come true. It is, then, pertinent to ask about the nature of faith and the practical fulfilment of this promise by God.

Imani ya kweli, ambayo huhakikisha kwamba ahadi ya Mungu inatimia, ni kubwa sana kweli. Huathiri shughuli zote za kibinadamu na kuamua mwelekeo wake. Imani inapokuwa imejikita vizuri moyoni mwa mtu, huanza kujidhihirisha kwa namna ya kitendo chanya na chenye kujenga kinachofanywa kwa ajili ya Mungu na kumwelekea Yeye. Maana yake ni kutii kikamilifu amri Zake katika mambo yote, makubwa na madogo. Hubadilisha matamanio na mielekeo ya muumini ili yote yapatane na mwongozo wa Mtume ﷺ, kwa sababu mwongozo huo amepewa na Mungu.

"Wale ambao, baada ya haya, wakachagua kukufuru ndio waovu kweli." (Aya ya 55) Hao ndio wasiotimiza masharti ya Mwenyezi Mungu, na kwa hivyo ahadi ya Mwenyezi Mungu haiwahusu.

“Those who, after this, choose to disbelieve are indeed wicked.” (Verse 55) They are the ones who do not meet God’s conditions, and, therefore, God’s promise does not apply to them.

Ahadi ya Mungu ilitimia mara moja, na iliendelea kuwa na nguvu kwa muda wote ambao Waislamu waliendelea kutimiza masharti Yake: "Hivyo basi wataniabudu Mimi peke yangu wala hawatanishirikisha na chochote." (Aya ya 55) Hii inajumuisha washirika wowote, iwe kwa namna ya miungu inayoelekezwa ibada, au matamanio na malengo. Lazima waamini na kutenda mema. Ahadi ya Mungu inamhusu kila mtu anayetimiza masharti haya, na inabaki na nguvu hadi mwisho wa maisha ya binadamu.

God’s promise was fulfilled once, and remained effective for as long as the Muslims continued to meet His conditions: “They will thus worship Me alone and associate with Me no partners whatsoever.” (Verse 55) This includes any partners, whether in the form of deities to which worship is addressed or desires and ambitions. They must believe and do righteous deeds. God’s promise applies to anyone who meets these conditions, and it remains in force till the end of human life.

Hata hivyo, ushindi, nguvu na usalama vinaweza kuchelewa kuja, lakini hii itakuwa tu matokeo ya waumini kushindwa kutimiza baadhi ya masharti yaliyoainishwa, au kushindwa kutekeleza wajibu fulani husika. Lakini umma wa Kiislamu utakapopata manufaa kutokana na mitihani wanayopaswa kuvumilia na kufaulu jaribio ambalo Mwenyezi Mungu amewawekea; watakapokuwa wamevumilia hofu na kutafuta usalama; watakapotamani heshima baada ya kuteseka kwa udhalilishaji; watakapotamani kuwa na nguvu baada ya kuwa dhaifu, ahadi ya Mwenyezi Mungu itatimizwa kwao licha ya nguvu yoyote inayowapinga. Hata hivyo, sharti moja linatumika: katika kuvumilia majaribu na mitihani, na katika kutamani kutimizwa kwa ahadi ya Mwenyezi Mungu, waumini lazima wawe daima wakitumia njia ambazo Mwenyezi Mungu ameziainisha na kutimiza masharti ambayo Yeye ameyafafanua wazi.

However, victory, power and security may be slow in coming, but this will only be the result of a failure by the believers to meet some aspects of the conditions outlined, or their failure to attend to a particular duty involved. But when the Muslim community has benefited by the trials they have to endure and passed the test God sets for them; when they have endured fear and sought security; when they yearn for dignity after having suffered humiliation; when they aspire to having power after being weak; God’s promise will be fulfilled to them in spite of any opposing power. One proviso applies, however: in their perseverance through tests and trials, and in their aspiration to the fulfilment of God’s promise, the believers must always resort to the means God has outlined and fulfil the conditions He has made clear.