Sura hii ilifunuliwa muda mfupi baada ya ile iliyotangulia, Sura ya 93, Mchana Mkali, kana kwamba ni mwendelezo wake. Hapa pia, hisia za huruma na mazingira ya mazungumzo mazuri na ya kirafiki yamejaa. Inaonyesha utunzaji wa Mwenyezi Mungu kwa Mtume ﷺ, na kueleza hatua zilizochukuliwa kwa kujali kwake. Sura pia inatoa habari njema ya unafuu utakaokuja, inamwonyesha Mtume ﷺ siri ya wepesi, na kusisitiza uhusiano wake imara na Mungu.
This sūrah was revealed soon after the preceding one, Sūrah 93, The Morning Hours, as if it were a continuation of it. Here, also, the feelings of sympathy and an atmosphere of delightful, friendly discourse abound. It portrays the divine care the Prophet enjoys and explains the measures taken out of concern for him. The sūrah also gives the good news of forthcoming relief, points out to the Prophet the secret of ease, and emphasizes his strong ties with God.
"Je, Hatukukunjulia kifua chako? Na tukakuondolea mzigo wako, ambao ulikuwa ukiulemea mgongo wako? Na tukakuinulia sifa yako?" (Aya 1-4) Hii inaonyesha kwamba Mtume ﷺ alikuwa na wasiwasi fulani kuhusu ujumbe aliokabidhiwa, na kuhusu vikwazo vilivyokuwa mbele yake. Aya hizi pia zinaonyesha kwamba matatizo yaliyokikabili kazi yake ya risala yalikuwa yakiuelemea moyo wake, hivyo akahisi haja ya msaada na uungwaji mkono wa haraka. Ndiyo maana kuna anwani hii ya kumfariji.
“Have We not opened up your heart, and relieved you of your burden, which weighed heavily on your back? And have We not given you high renown?” (Verses 1-4) This suggests that the Prophet was troubled for some reason concerning the message he was entrusted with, and the obstacles in its way. These verses also suggest that the difficulties facing his mission weighed heavily on his heart, making him feel the need for urgent help and backing. Hence this comforting address.
"Je, Hatukukifungulia moyo wako?" Ili upate kuridhika na ujumbe huu? Je, Hatukukurahisishia, na kukupendezeshea, na kukubainishia njia yake, na kukuangazia ili uone mwisho wake wenye furaha? Angalia moyoni mwako! Je, huoni kuwa umejaa nuru, furaha na faraja? Tafakari athari zilizotokana na neema zote alizokupa! Je, hujisikii faraja katika kila shida, na kuridhika katika kila aina ya kukosa unayoyapata?
“Have We not opened up your heart,” so that it may warm to this message? Have We not facilitated it for you, endeared it to you, defined its path and illuminated it for you to see its happy end? Look into your heart! Do you not see it to be full of light, happiness and solace? Reflect on the effects brought about by all the favours bestowed on you! Do you not feel comfort with every difficulty, and find contentment with every kind of deprivation you suffer?
"Na je, hatukukuondolea mzigo wako, ambao ulikuwa mzito mgongoni mwako?" (Aya 2-3)
“And relieved you of your burden, which weighed heavily on your back?” (Verses 2-3)
Mzigo wako ulikuwa mzito sana hata ukakaribia kuvunja mgongo wako, lakini Sisi tukakuondolea huo. Msaada huo ulikuja kwa namna ya kuinua moyo wako, ili upate kuhisi utume wako kuwa rahisi zaidi na mzigo wako usiwe mzito sana kuubeba. Upande mwingine wa msaada huo ulikuwa ni mwongozo uliopokea kuhusu jinsi ya kutekeleza utume wako na jinsi ya kuvigusa mioyo ya watu. Zaidi ya hayo, kuna msaada kwako katika ufunuo wa Qur'ani unaoeleza haki na kukusaidia kuifikisha kwa watu kwa urahisi na upole.
Your burden was so heavy that it almost broke your back, but We relieved you of that. Relief took the form of giving your heart a lift so that you might feel your mission easier and your burden not so hard to shoulder. Another aspect of the relief was the guidance you received on how to discharge your mission and how to appeal to people’s hearts. Furthermore, there is relief for you in the revelation of the Qur’ān which explains the truth and helps you to drive it home to people easily and gently.
Je, hujisikii yote haya unapofikiria jinsi mzigo wako ulivyokuwa mzito? Je, hujisikii kuwa umepunguka baada ya Sisi kukifungulia moyo wako?
Do you not feel all this when you think of how heavy your burden was? Do you not feel it to be lighter after We opened up your heart?
“Na je, hatukukuinulia sifa yako?” (Aya ya 4) Tulikutukuza miongoni mwa walio juu, duniani na katika ulimwengu wote. Hakika tuliinua sifa yako juu, kwa kuwa jina lako tuliliunganisha na jina la Mwenyezi Mungu kila linapotamkwa. “Hakuna mungu isipokuwa Mwenyezi Mungu, Muhammad ni Mjumbe wa Mwenyezi Mungu ﷺ.” Hakika hili ndilo daraja la juu kabisa la sifa. Ni cheo alichopewa Muhammad ﷺ peke yake, bila kupata mtu mwingine sehemu yake. Mwenyezi Mungu amekusudia karne moja ifuatiwe na nyingine, na vizazi vifuatane, huku mamilioni ya watu katika pembe zote za dunia wakilitukuza jina lililobarikiwa la Muhammad ﷺ kwa kumwombea amani na baraka, na upendo wake mkubwa ukiwa umekita mioyoni mwao. Sifa yako ilienea mbali na pana pale jina lako lilipohusishwa na mfumo huu wa maisha wa kiungu.
“And have We not given you high renown?” (Verse 4) We exalted you among those on high, on earth and in the whole universe. We raised your fame high indeed as we associated your name with that of God’s whenever it is pronounced. “No Deity but God, Muĥammad is God’s Messenger.” Indeed, this is the highest degree of praise. It is a position granted only to Muĥammad, with no share of it to anyone else. God has willed that one century should turn after another and generations succeed generations with millions and millions of people in all corners of the world honouring the blessed name of Muĥammad with prayers for peace and blessings to be granted him, and with his profound love entrenched in their hearts. Your fame spread far and wide when your name became associated with this divine way of life.
Hakika, kuchaguliwa kwako kwa kazi hii ni heshima ambayo hakuna mwingine katika ulimwengu huu anayeweza kuitamani kamwe. Je, inawezekanaje kubaki hisia yoyote ya dhiki au taabu baada ya neema hii inayoponya kila ugumu wa namna hiyo?
Certainly the mere fact that you were chosen for this task is an exaltation to which no one else in this universe can ever aspire. How can there remain any feeling of affliction or hardship after this favour which heals all such difficulties?
Mungu, hata hivyo, anamshughulikia mjumbe wake mpendwa kwa upole. Anamfariji na kumtuliza, akimweleza jinsi alivyompa wepesi usiokatika. "Pamoja na shida kuna wepesi. Hakika, pamoja na kila shida kuna wepesi." (Aya 5-6) Shida haidumu kamwe kwa ukamilifu, kwani wepesi huambatana nayo daima. Mzigo wako ulipokuwa mzito mno, Sisi tulikuinulia moyo wako na kukupunguzia.
God, nevertheless, addresses His beloved messenger kindly. He comforts and reassures him, explaining to him how He has given him unceasing ease. “With hardship comes ease. Indeed, with every hardship comes ease.” (Verses 5-6) Hardship is never absolute, for ease always accompanies it. When your burden became too heavy, We lifted up your heart and relieved you.
Hili linasisitizwa sana kwa kurudia kwa maneno hayo kama yalivyo: "Pamoja na shida huja wepesi." Kurudia huku kunadokeza kwamba Mtume ﷺ alikumbana na dhiki kubwa na mateso mengi. Ukumbusho huu unakumbusha namna mbalimbali za kujali na kuhangaika kwa ajili ya Mtume ﷺ, kisha unamfariji kwa msisitizo mkubwa. Jambo linaloumiza nafsi ya Muhammad ﷺ kiasi hiki lazima liwe zito sana kweli.
This is strongly emphasized by a literal repetition of the statement: “With hardship comes ease.” The repetition suggests that the Prophet had endured serious hardship and much affliction. This reminder recalls the various aspects of care and concern shown to the Prophet and then reassures him emphatically. A matter which afflicts Muĥammad’s soul so much must be very serious indeed.
Kisha kunafuata kauli inayoonyesha vipengele vya faraja na mambo yanayochangia kuinua nyoyo na roho, jambo ambalo ni msaada mkubwa kwa Waislamu wanapoendelea na safari yao ngumu na ndefu: “Basi utakapomaliza, simama kwa bidii, na kwa Mola wako elekea kwa shauku.” (Aya 7-8)
Then follows a statement pointing out the aspects of comfort and the factors contributing to the lifting up of hearts and spirits, which is of great help to Muslims as they travel along their hard and long way: “When you have completed your task resume your toil, and to your Lord turn with love.” (Verses 7-8)
Pamoja na shida huja wepesi, basi tafuta faraja na utulivu. Utakapomaliza kila jambo ulilo nalo, liwe ni jambo linalohusu kuufikisha ujumbe wako au jambo la maisha ya dunia hii, basi geukia kwa moyo wako wote kile kinachostahili juhudi na bidii yako, yaani ibada na kujitolea katika ibada. "Na kwa Mola wako elekea kwa mapenzi." (Aya ya 8) Mtafute Yeye peke yake, na usiruhusu chochote kukuvuruga. Usiwahi kufikiria watu unaowaita waamini Yeye. Msafiri lazima awe na chakula chake pamoja naye, na hiki ndicho chakula halisi kwa safari yako. Mpiganaji wa kusudi fulani anahitaji silaha zake, na hizi ndizo silaha zinazokuhitajika wewe. Hili litakupa wepesi katika kila shida utakayokutana nayo, na faraja dhidi ya kila aina ya mateso utakayoyapata.
With hardship goes ease, so seek relief and solace. When you have finished whatever you may have to do, be it a matter relating to the delivery of your message or an affair of this life, then turn with all your heart to what deserves your toil and striving, namely devotion and dedication in worship. “And to your Lord turn with love.” (Verse 8) Seek Him alone and let nothing whatsoever distract you. Do not ever think of the people you call on to believe in Him. A traveller must have his food with him, and this is the real food for your journey. A fighter for a cause needs to have his equipment, and this is the equipment necessary for you. This will provide you with ease in every difficulty you may encounter, and with comfort against every kind of affliction you may suffer.
Sura hii inamalizika kwa mwelekeo ule ule kama sura iliyotangulia, Adh-Dhuhaa. Inatuachia hisia mbili zilizofungamana. Ya kwanza ni kutambua upendo mkubwa aliopewa Mtume ﷺ, ambao ulimlemea kwa sababu ulikuwa ni upendo wa Mola wake, Mwingi wa Rehema, Mwenye Kurehemu. Hisia nyingine ni huruma iliyoonyeshwa kwa nafsi yake tukufu. Karibu tunaweza kuhisi kilichokuwa kikiendelea moyoni mwake uliobarikiwa wakati huo, ambacho kilihitaji ukumbusho huu wa mapenzi ya kufurahisha.
The sūrah ends on the same note as the preceding sūrah, The Morning Hours. It leaves us with two intertwined feelings. The first is a realization of the great affection shown to the Prophet, which overwhelmed him because it was the love of his Lord, the Compassionate, the Merciful. The other feeling is one of sympathy shown to his noble self. We can almost feel what was going on in his blessed heart at that time which required this reminder of delightful affection.
Ni dhamira hii ya Uislamu: amana kubwa na mzigo unaomlemea. Hata hivyo, ni kuchomoza kwa nuru ya Mwenyezi Mungu, kiungo kati ya kufa na milele, kati ya kuwepo na kutokuwepo.
It is this mission of Islam: a grave trust and a burden which weighs him down. It is nevertheless the rising of the divine light, the link between mortality and eternity, existence and non-existence.