Sūrah hii, ambayo ni ufunuo wa Makka, inawasilisha imani kuu ambayo Qur'ani inataka asili ya mwanadamu isiisahau kamwe. Hii ni imani inayojengwa juu ya kujisalimisha kwa Mungu, Mmoja, Muumba wa uhai, mwanadamu na ulimwengu, anayesimamia mambo yote na kudhibiti viumbe vyote, popote vilipo. Pia inadai kuamini ujumbe wa Muhammad ﷺ, ambaye Qur'ani imeteremshwa kwake kutoka juu ili awaongoze watu kwa Mola wao.

This sūrah, a Makkan revelation, presents the great faith which the Qur’ān wants human nature never to overlook. This is the faith based on submission to God, the One, the Creator of life, man and the universe, who conducts all affairs and controls all beings, wherever they are. It also requires belief in Muhammad’s message to whom the Qur’ān has been bestowed from on high to guide people to their Lord.

Kiungo kingine muhimu cha ujumbe huu ni imani ya ufufuo, hesabu, hukumu na malipo.

Another essential ingredient of this message is belief in resurrection, reckoning, judgement and reward.

Hakika sura zote zilizoteremshwa Makka zinashughulikia suala hili kuu, lakini kila moja ina mtazamo wake na hutumia athari zake maalum. Hata hivyo, zote zinakutana kuulingania moyo wa binadamu kwa ujuzi wa Yule Ajuaye yote, ikiwa ni pamoja na yale ambayo nyoyo na akili zinaweza kuficha na kuyaweka siri. Yeye pia anajua asili ya nyoyo, yanayoziathiri, jinsi zinavyohisi na kuitikia katika hali zote.

Indeed all the sūrahs revealed in Makkah deal with this main issue, but each has its own approach and uses its own special effects. Nonetheless, all converge to address the human heart with the knowledge of the One who knows all, including what hearts and minds may harbour and conceal. He further knows the nature of hearts, what affects them, how they feel and react in all situations.

Sura hii inashughulikia suala hili la imani kwa namna tofauti kabisa na ile iliyofuatwa katika sura iliyotangulia, Luqmān. Inaliwasilisha suala lote katika aya zake za mwanzo, wakati sehemu iliyobaki ya sura inatoa maelezo na vidokezo vinavyoamsha mioyo na nafsi, vikiita kwenye kutafakari na kutafakari kwa kina. Pia inatoa ushahidi na hoja zinazotokana na yaliyomo katika ulimwengu, pamoja na asili ya mwanadamu na jinsi anavyokua. Inawasilisha picha za Siku ya Hukumu zilizojaa uhai, na inataja hatima za jamii zilizotangulia ambazo magofu yao yanatoa ushahidi zaidi, ikiwa watu wangetafakari.

This sūrah deals with this issue of faith in a totally different way to that followed in the preceeding sūrah, Luqmān. It presents the whole issue in its opening verses, while the rest of the sūrah provides notes and touches that awaken hearts and souls, calling for contemplation and reflection. It also provides evidence and proof derived from what is in the universe, and the origins of man and how he develops. It presents scenes from the Day of Judgement which are full of life, and it refers to the fates of earlier communities whose ruins provide further evidence if only people would contemplate this.

Sūrah hiyo inachora picha za waumini, namna wanavyoabudu na jinsi wanavyotamani kukutana na Mola wao, ikizilinganisha na wale wasiokubali wenye ukaidi. Inaonyesha mwisho wa makundi yote mawili na thawabu zao, kana kwamba mambo haya yanatokea sasa hivi mbele ya macho yetu.

The sūrah draws pictures of believers and how they worship and aspire to meet their Lord, contrasting these with stubborn unbelievers. It shows the end of both groups and their rewards as though this is taking place now before our very eyes.

Kwa namna hii, sūrah inautayarisha moyo wa mwanadamu kwa yale unayohitaji ili kutafakari, kutafakari kwa kina, kuogopa matokeo yake, kutamani na kutumaini. Inaonya, inashawishi na inashawishi kwa hoja. Mwishoni, inamwacha mwanadamu achague njia yake na kusubiri hatima yake, huku akiwa tayari amepewa taarifa zote na mwongozo wote anaohitaji ili kufanya uchaguzi wenye nuru.

In this way, the sūrah presents the human heart with what it needs to reflect, contemplate, fear the consequences of, aspire to and hope for. It warns, persuades and convinces. At the end, it leaves man to choose his way and await his destiny having been given all the information and guidance it needs to make an enlightened choice.

Katika uwasilishaji wake wa suala hili kubwa, sura hii inaweza kugawanywa katika sehemu nne au tano zinazohusiana. Inaanza kwa herufi tatu tofauti, Alif, Lām, Mīm, kuashiria kwamba kitabu kilichoteremshwa kimeundwa kwa herufi kama hizi. Inaondoa kabisa shaka yoyote kuhusu kuteremshwa kwake na Mwenyezi Mungu, "Mola wa viumbe vyote." (Aya ya 2) Inatoa swali la kejeli linalostaajabisha dai la wasioamini kwamba Qur'ani ilibuniwa na Nabii ﷺ. Kisha inafuatisha kwa kuthibitisha kwamba ni ukweli uliofunuliwa kwake ili aweze kuwaonya watu wake, kwa matumaini "kwamba huenda wakaongoka." (Aya ya 3) Hili ndilo suala la kwanza la imani: suala la wahyi na ukweli kwamba Nabii ﷺ anasema kweli anapowasilisha ujumbe wa Mola wa viumbe vyote.

In its presentation of this great issue, the sūrah can be divided into four or five related sections. It begins with the three separate letters, Alif, Lām, Mīm, to indicate that the revealed book is composed of letters like these. It removes all doubt about its being revealed by God ‘the Lord of all the worlds.’ (Verse 2) It poses a rhetorical question that wonders at the unbelievers’ claim that the Qur’ān was invented by the Prophet. It follows this with an assertion that it is the truth revealed to him so that he can warn his people in the hope “that they may be guided.” (Verse 3) This is the first issue of faith: the issue of revelation and the fact that the Prophet tells the truth as he delivers the message of the Lord of all the worlds.

Kisha sūrah inazungumzia Uungu na udhihirisho wake katika ulimwengu: uumbaji wa mbingu na ardhi na yote yaliyo kati yake, utawala wa ulimwengu, jinsi mambo ya mbinguni na ardhini yanavyoendeshwa, marejeo ya vitu vyote kwake Siku ya Hukumu, pamoja na uumbaji wa mwanadamu — asili yake, hatua za ukuaji wake, na kupata kwake uwezo wa kuona, kusikia na kufahamu. Lakini watu wachache sana hushukuru. Hili ni suala la pili, likieleza sifa za Uungu: uumbaji, utawala, huruma, kuwafanyia wema, ujuzi, rehema na neema.

The sūrah then speaks about Godhead and its manifestations in the universe: the creation of the heavens and the earth and all that is in between them, control of the universe, how matters in the heavens and the earth are conducted, the reference of all things to Him on the Day of Judgement, as well as the creation of man — his origin, stages of development, and his acquisition of sight, hearing and understanding. Yet rarely do people give thanks. This is the second issue, detailing attributes of the Godhead: creation, control, kindness, benefaction, knowledge, mercy and grace.

Zote zimetajwa katika aya zinazozungumzia uumbaji.

They are all mentioned in the verses speaking about creation.

Suala la tatu ni lile la ufufuo na hatima. Sūrah hii inatoa jibu thabiti kwa mashaka ya wasiokuwa na imani kuhusu kufufuliwa baada ya kuzikwa na kupotea ardhini: "Wanasema: Je, itakuwa baada ya sisi kupotea ardhini, tutarudishwa uhai katika uumbaji mpya?" (Aya ya 10)

The third issue is that of resurrection and destiny. The sūrah provides a firm answer to the unbelievers’ doubts about being resurrected after having been buried and lost in the earth: “They say: What! After we have vanished into the earth, shall we be [restored to life] in a new act of creation?” (Verse 10)

Sura kisha inawasilisha picha ya Siku ya Hukumu "wakati wadhalimu hao watakapoinamisha vichwa vyao mbele ya Mola wao Mlezi." (Aya 12) Wakati huo watatangaza imani yao ya uhakika wa Akhera na imani yao juu ya ukweli wa ujumbe wa Kiislamu.

The sūrah then presents a scene from the Day of Judgement “when those evildoers will hang down their heads before their Lord.” (Verse 12) At that time they will declare their certainty of the hereafter and their belief in the truth of the Islamic message.

Watasema neno ambalo, lau wangeliseme katika maisha haya, lingewafungulia milango ya Pepo. Lakini katika hali yao siku hiyo halina faida yoyote kwao. Tukio hili limeonyeshwa ili, huenda, liwahimize kulisema neno hili sasa.

They will say the word which, had they said it in this life, would have opened up for them the gates of heaven. However, in their position on that day it is of no use to them. This scene is shown so that, perchance, it will encourage them to say this word now.

Katika kulinganisha na picha hii ya kusikitisha, sura inawaonyesha waumini katika maisha haya ambao, kila wanapokumbushwa ishara za Mola wao, "huanguka chini wakisujudu kwa ibada, na kumtukuza Mola wao kwa utukufu na sifa zisizo na mipaka; ambao hawajivuni kamwe; ambao hujiondoa vitandani usiku kumwomba Mola wao kwa hofu na matumaini; na ambao hutoa sadaka kwa yale Tunayowaruzuku." (Aya 15-16) Hii ni picha yenye kuvutia, ikifuatiwa na nyingine inayoonyesha alichowaandalia Mwenyezi Mungu waumini kama hao katika furaha inayozidi kila kitu ambacho watu wanaweza kukiwazia: "Hakuna nafsi inayojua ni starehe gani za kupendeza zimewekewa akiba kwa ajili yao kama malipo ya yale waliyokuwa wakiyafanya." (Aya 17)

In juxtaposition with this miserable image, the sūrah shows the believers in this life who, whenever they are reminded of their Lord’s signs, “fall down prostrating themselves in adoration, and extol their Lord’s limitless glory and praise; and who are never arrogant; who drag themselves out of their beds at night to pray to their Lord in fear and hope; and who are charitable with what We provide for them.” (Verses 15-16) This is an inspiring image, followed by another showing what God has prepared for such believers of happiness that exceeds all that people can imagine: “No one can imagine what blissful delights have been kept in store for them as a reward for what they used to do.” (Verse 17)

Sūra kisha huonyesha kwa ufupi hatima za waumini na wasioamini, mbinguni na motoni mtawalia. Inawaonya wakosaji kuhusu adhabu ya Mungu duniani, kabla ya adhabu yao kali zaidi motoni.

The sūrah then shows briefly the fates of believers and unbelievers, in heaven and hell respectively. It warns the wrongdoers about God’s punishment on earth, prior to their more severe punishment in hell.

Kisha kuna rejeo kuhusu Musa na umoja uliopo kati ya ujumbe wake na ule wa Muhammad ﷺ, (amani iwe juu yao wote wawili). Inaonyesha jinsi waumini miongoni mwa watu wake walivyostahimili katika kulingania dini ya Mwenyezi Mungu licha ya dhiki, na kwamba Mungu aliwafanya viongozi kwa sababu ya subira yao. Rejeo hili linatoa ujumbe wazi kwa wanaolingania Uislamu kwamba wadumu kuwa na subira katika dhiki na wastahimili licha ya upinzani wote wanaokabiliana nao.

Then follows a reference to Moses and the unity between his message and that of Muhammad (peace be upon them both). It shows how the believers among his people persevered in advocating the divine faith in the face of adversity. It mentions that God made them leaders because of their perseverance. This reference gives a clear message to the advocates of Islam to remain patient in adversity and to persevere despite all the opposition they face.

Sūrah kisha inatuchukua kwa haraka katika safari fupi kuhusu hatima ya jamii zilizotangulia na jinsi zilivyokuwa zikiendesha mambo yao, zikiwa hazijali ukweli. Pia inatuonyesha jinsi ardhi iliyokufa inavyorudishwa uhai pale mvua inaponyesha juu yake. Kwa njia hii, picha mbili zinazopingana za maangamizi na uhai zinaonyeshwa pamoja katika mistari michache tu. Kisha sūrah inahitimishwa kwa kutoa habari ya swali lao: “Hukumu hii itakuwa lini?” (Aya ya 28).

The sūrah then takes us on a quick round of the fate of earlier communities and how they used to go about their business, oblivious to the truth. It also shows us how dead land is brought to life when rain falls over it. In this way, the two contrasting images of ruin and life are depicted side by side in just a few lines. The sūrah then concludes by reporting on their question: “When will this judgement be.” (Verse 28).

Hili linaulizwa kwa lengo la kuonyesha shaka kuhusu siku ambayo maonyo yatatimia. Jibu lililotolewa linawaonya juu ya mateso makali ambayo siku hii italeta. Nabii ﷺ pia anaagizwa awaache na hatima yao isiyoepukika na ya kusikitisha.

This is asked to express doubt about the day when warnings will come true. The answer given warns them of the grievous suffering that this day brings. The Prophet is also directed to leave them to their inevitable and sorry fate.