"Watu wa Nuhu nao pia waliwakadhibisha wajumbe wa Mwenyezi Mungu." (Aya ya 105) Hii ni mwisho wa hadithi, lakini imetajwa mwanzoni ili kuongeza msisitizo, kabla ya kuendelea kutoa maelezo ya kina ya hadithi hiyo.
“The people of Noah, too, denied God’s messengers.” (Verse 105) This is the end of the story, but it is given at the beginning so as to add extra emphasis, before moving on to give the details of the story.
Ukweli ni kwamba watu wa Nuhu walimkataa yeye peke yake, lakini hapa wanaelezwa kuwa walikataa mitume wa Mwenyezi Mungu, kwa sababu ujumbe ni mmoja, ukiwa umefupishwa katika wito wa kumkiri Mungu kuwa ni mmoja na kumwabudu Yeye peke yake, bila kumshirikisha na chochote. Kwa hiyo, yeyote anayeukataa anawakataa mitume wote wa Mwenyezi Mungu, kwani wote walinadi ujumbe mmoja na uleule. Qur'ani inasisitiza ukweli huu katika sehemu nyingi na kwa namna mbalimbali, kwa kuwa ni msingi wa imani ya Kiislamu. Hivyo, inaiweka dini ya Mungu katika historia yote ya binadamu chini ya mwavuli mmoja, ikiwagawanya wanadamu katika vizazi vyote katika makundi mawili: waumini na makafiri. Muislamu anaiona jumuiya ya waumini katika kila dini ya Mungu, tangu mwanzo wa maisha ya binadamu hadi kuja kwa ujumbe wa mwisho wa Mungu, Uislamu, kuwa ni jumuiya yake mwenyewe. Muumini anawakubali mitume wote wa Mwenyezi Mungu, anaamini ujumbe wao, na anawaangalia wote kwa heshima kubwa kabisa, kwa kuwa wote walihubiri ujumbe mmoja wa umoja wa Mungu.
The fact is that Noah’s people denied him only, but they are described here as denying God’s messengers, because the message is one, summed up in the call to acknowledge God’s oneness and to worship Him alone, associating no partners with Him. Therefore, whoever rejects it denies all God’s messengers as they advocated one and the same message. The Qur’ān stresses this fact in several places and in different forms, because it is a basic principle of the Islamic faith. It, thus, brings the divine faith throughout human history under one umbrella, dividing mankind throughout all generations into two groups: believers and unbelievers. A Muslim considers that the community of believers in every divine religion, from the beginning of human life to the advent of the final divine message of Islam, as his own community. A believer accepts all God’s messengers, believes in their messages and looks upon them all with the highest respect, because they all preached the same message of God’s oneness.
Kutoka mtazamo wa Mwislamu, wanadamu hawagawanywi kwa makabila, rangi wala utaifa. Wanagawanywa katika makundi mawili: watu wa haki na watu wa batili. Msimamo wake mwenyewe uko upande wa watu wa haki. Hili linampa Mwislamu kipimo kimoja kinachotumika katika historia yote. Maadili yake ni makubwa zaidi kuliko vifungo vya kabila, rangi, lugha, nchi na undugu wa sasa au wa zamani. Maadili hayo yanajumuishwa katika kifungo cha imani, ambacho ndicho msingi wa uwajibikaji wa wanadamu mbele ya Mungu.
From a Muslim’s perspective, mankind are not divided into races, colours and nationalities. They are divided into the people of the truth and the people of falsehood. His own stand is with the people of the truth. This gives Muslims one criterion that applies to all history. His values are much higher than bonds of race, colour, language, country and present or past kinship. His values are embodied into the bond of faith which is the basis of mankind’s accountability:
Watu wa Nuhu nao pia waliwakanusha wajumbe wa Mungu. Ndugu yao Nuhu aliwaambia:
The people of Noah, too, denied God’s messengers. Their brother Noah said to them:
"Je, hamuogopi Mwenyezi Mungu? Mimi ni Mtume (aliyetumwa) kwenu, ninayeaminika. Basi mcheni Mwenyezi Mungu na mnitii. Wala sikuombeni malipo yoyote kwa hilo; malipo yangu yako kwa Mola wa viumbe vyote. Basi mcheni Mwenyezi Mungu na mnitii."
‘Will you have no fear of God? I am a Messenger [sent by Him] to you, worthy of all trust. So, fear God and pay heed to me. No reward whatever do I ask of you for it: my reward is only from the Lord of all the worlds. So, fear God and pay heed to me.’ (Verses 105-110)
Huo ndio ujumbe wa Nuhu ambao watu wake waliukataa, licha ya yeye kuwa ndugu yao. Undugu kama huo ungepaswa kuhakikisha uhusiano wa amani, na kuwaongoza kumwamini yeye na ujumbe wake. Lakini watu wake hawakuwa na muda wa uhusiano huu wa undugu, wala hawakulainika kwa mwito wa ndugu yao alipowaambia:
Such was Noah’s message which his people denied, despite his being their brother. Such brotherhood should have ensured a peaceful relationship, leading to their belief in him and his message. But his people had no time for this bond of brotherhood, and they did not soften to their brother’s call when he said to them:
"Je, hutamwogopa Mungu?" (Aya ya 106) Je, hutajali mwisho ambao mitazamo yako na matendo yako vinakupeleka?
“Will you have no fear of God?” (Verse 106) Will you not worry about the end to which your attitudes and actions lead you?
Mwongozo huu na ukumbusho wa kumcha Mungu unaendelea kwa msisitizo katika sura hii. Tuliuona kwa Firauni na watu wake alipomwambia Musa kazi yake. Kisha kila nabii aliyefuatia Nuhu alisema jambo hilo hilo kwa jamii yake: “Mimi ni Mtume [aliyetumwa na Yeye] kwenu, mwaminifu wa kutegemewa.” (Aya ya 107) Hatadanganya, hatadhulumu wala kutenda kwa hila. Hatazidisha wala kupunguza chochote katika yale aliyotakiwa kuwafikishia watu wake: “Basi, mcheni Mungu na mnitii.” (Aya ya 108) Katika hali hii, Nuhu tena anawakumbusha watu wake kumcha Mungu, akitoa maelezo wazi zaidi wakati huu. Anaziita dhamiri zao amtii yeye huku akiwaita wajisalimishe kwa Mungu.
This directive and reminder to fear God is consistent in this sūrah. We saw it with Pharaoh and his people as God informed Moses of his assignment. Then every prophet that succeeded Noah said the same thing to his community: “I am a Messenger [sent by Him] to you, worthy of all trust.” (Verse 107) He would not cheat, defraud or act dishonestly. He would not add to, or withhold anything from what he was required to deliver to his people: “So, fear God and pay heed to me.” (Verse 108) In this case, Noah again reminds his people to fear God, giving it a more express definition this time. He appeals to their consciences to obey him as he calls on them to surrender themselves to God.
Kisha anawahakikishia kwamba hakuwa akitafuta faida yoyote ya kidunia, wala hakuwa akitaka ujira wowote kwa kuulingania ujumbe wa Mwenyezi Mungu na kuwaongoza kwa Mola wao. Yeye anatafuta thawabu za Mungu peke yake, kwa sababu ndiye aliyempa ujumbe wake. Uhakikisho huu wa kutotafuta faida wala ujira unaonekana kuwa daima ulikuwa wa lazima kwa mwito wa imani wa dhati. Hivyo, unatofautiana na mtindo unaojulikana wa dini kutumiwa vibaya na makasisi na taasisi za kidini kwa faida na utajiri binafsi.
He then reassures them that he was neither looking for any worldly gain nor seeking any wage in return for advocating the divine message and guiding them to their Lord. He seeks only God’s reward, because it was He who gave him his message. This assurance of seeking no gain or wage seems to have always been necessary for sincere advocacy of faith. It is, thus, distinguished from the familiar pattern of religion as exploited by clerics and religious orders for personal gain and enrichment.
Sasa kwa kuwa amewahakikishia kwamba hana tamaa ya kibinafsi, Nuhu tena anawaambia wamche Mungu, akiwakumbusha kwamba wanapaswa kumtii: "Basi mcheni Mungu na mnitii." (Aya 110) Jibu lao, pingamizi moja, lilikuwa lile lile alilopewa kila mtume: "Wakasema: Je, tuamini kwako, ilhali wanaokufuata ni watu duni kabisa?" (Aya 111)
Now that he has reassured them of having no personal ambition, Noah again tells them to fear God, reminding them that they should obey him: “So, fear God and pay heed to me.” (Verse 110) Their response, a singular objection, was the same given to all messengers: “They said: Are we to believe in you, even though only the lowest of the low follow you?” (Verse 111)
Walichokusudia ni kwamba ni maskini tu waliomfuata, kwa sababu maskini kwa kawaida ndio wa kwanza kukubali ujumbe na wajumbe wa Mwenyezi Mungu. Wao hukimbilia kumwamini Mungu na kujisalimisha Kwake, kwa sababu hawazuiliwi na hadhi yoyote ya kujidai wala woga wa kupoteza maslahi au nafasi zao kutokana na hilo. Viongozi na watu mashuhuri wa jamii mara nyingi huogopa kupoteza maslahi yao yanayotegemea mambo ya uongo, pamoja na hadithi za kubuniwa na visa vya kale vinavyopewa hadhi ya kidini. Zaidi ya hayo, hawako tayari kukubali usawa kamili na watu wa kawaida kwa sababu ya kuamini umoja wa Mungu. Chini ya imani kama hii, imani pekee na matendo mema ndiyo hupewa thamani ya juu inayostahili, matokeo yake ni kwamba baadhi ya watu hupanda na wengine hushuka kwa kigezo kimoja cha imani kinachokamilishwa na matendo mema.
What they meant was that it was only the poor who followed him, because the poor are normally the first to accept divine messages and messengers. They are quick to believe in God and submit themselves to Him, because they are not deterred by any hollow status or fear of losing any interest or position as a result. The chiefs and nobles of society often fear for their interests that are based on false considerations, as also myths and legends that are given religious status. Moreover, they are unwilling to accept complete equality with the masses as a result of believing in God’s oneness. Under such a belief system only faith and good action are given an appropriately high value, with the net result that some people rise and others fall by the single standard of faith that is complemented by good action.
Jibu la Nuhu, basi, linaweka thamani za kweli, likifafanua kazi ya mjumbe wa Mungu na kuliacha suala la kuwahukumu watu kwa Mungu, ambaye anajua zaidi nia zao, mawazo yao na matendo yao:
Noah’s reply, therefore, establishes true values, defining the mission of God’s messenger and leaves judgement on people to God who knows best their intentions, thoughts and actions:
Alisema: Mimi nina elimu gani kuhusu yale waliyokuwa wakifanya zamani? Hesabu yao iko kwa Mola wangu Mlezi peke yake, lau mngekuwa mnafahamu. Mimi si mtu wa kuwafukuza waumini. Mimi ni mwonyaji tu mwenye kubainisha waziwazi.
(Aya 112-115)
Said he: What knowledge do I have as to what they used to do in the past? Their reckoning rests with none other than my Lord, if you could but understand. I am not one to drive away the believers. I am only a plain warner. (Verses 112-115)
Wakuu daima huwasema vibaya maskini. Husema kwamba tabia na maadili yao hayakubaliki kwa wale walio katika tabaka za juu za jamii. Hawana chochote cha ustaarabu wao.
Nuhu anawaambia kwamba hataki kutoka kwa watu kitu chochote isipokuwa waamini Mwenyezi Mungu. Matendo yao yanaachwa kwa Mwenyezi Mungu kuyapima na kuamua malipo yao yanayostahili. Tathmini yake, Mwenyezi Mungu, ndiyo sahihi. Kisha Nuhu anaeleza wajibu wake mwenyewe: "Mimi si chochote ila ni mwonyaji mbainifu." (Aya 115)
The nobility always speak in a derogative manner about the poor. They say that their habits and values are not acceptable to those who are in the higher echelons of society. They have nothing of their refinements. Noah tells them that he does not ask of people anything other than that they believe in God. Their actions are left to God to evaluate and to determine their appropriate reward. His, God’s, is the right evaluation. Noah then defines his own mission: “I am only a plain warner.” (Verse 115)
Kwa hoja iliyo wazi na mantiki nyepesi kama hiyo, watu wa Nuhu walinyamazishwa. Hawakuwa na jibu lenye maana la kutoa. Hivyo, walikimbilia njia ile ile ambayo udhalimu huitumia kila unapojikuta umebanwa kona; walimtishia kwa nguvu za kikatili: "Wakasema: Ewe Nuhu! Ukiacha, bila shaka utapigwa mawe mpaka kufa." (Aya ya 116) Hivyo ndivyo udhalimu unavyoonyesha uso wake wa kutisha na wa kikatili.
With such clear argument and plain logic, Noah’s people were silenced. They had no meaningful reply to offer. Hence, they resorted to the same method to which tyranny resorts every time it finds itself cornered; they threatened him with brute force: “Said they: Noah! If you will not desist, you will surely be stoned to death.” (Verse 116) Thus tyranny reveals its ghastly and cruel face.
Nuhu alitambua kwamba mioyo yao migumu haingelainika. Kwa hiyo, aligeukia chanzo kimoja cha msaada ambacho daima kinapatikana kwa waumini, ambacho hakiwaangushi kamwe:
Noah realized that their hardened hearts would not soften. Therefore, he turned to the One source of support that is always available to believers, never failing them:
Akaomba: Mola wangu! Watu wangu wamenikanusha. Basi nihukumu baina yangu na yao kwa hukumu ya uamuzi, na uniokoe mimi na waumini walio pamoja nami. (Aya 117-118) Mola wake bila shaka alikuwa anajua kwamba watu wake walimkanusha na kumtuhumu kwa uongo, lakini Nuhu alihitaji kuelekeza malalamiko yake kwa Mungu, akimwomba haki. Basi anaweka jambo hilo mikononi Mwake: "Nihukumu baina yangu na yao kwa hukumu ya uamuzi." (Aya 118) Hukumu hiyo ya uamuzi itaweka mwisho wa dhulma na uonevu: "Na uniokoe mimi na waumini walio pamoja nami." (Aya 118)
“He prayed: My Lord! My people have denied me. So, judge decisively between me and them, and save me and those of the believers who are with me.” (Verses 117-118) His Lord certainly knew that his people had denied him and accused him of lying, but Noah needed to address his complaint to God, appealing to Him for justice. Thus, he puts the matter in His hands: “Judge decisively between me and them.” (Verse 118) Such decisive judgement will put an end to tyranny and injustice: “And save me and those of the believers who are with me.” (Verse 118)
Mungu hakika alijibu wito wa msaada wa mjumbe wake: "Basi tukamwokoa yeye na wale waliokuwa pamoja naye katika jahazi lililojaa, na tukawazamisha wale waliobaki nyuma." (Aya 119-120) Hivyo, mwisho wa vita hii ya mapema sana katika historia ya binadamu kati ya imani na kutoamini unaelezwa kwa mfululizo wa maneno ya haraka, ambayo pia yanasimulia matokeo ya kila vita iliyofuata baina ya pande hizo mbili katika historia ya binadamu.
God certainly responded to His messenger’s plea for help: “So We saved him, and those with him, in the laden ark, and We caused the others who stayed behind to drown.” (Verses 119-120) Thus, the end of this very early battle in human history between faith and unfaith is described in a very quick sequence of words, which also tell of the outcome of every subsequent battle between the two sides in human history.
Kisha kuna maoni ambayo sura hii imeyazoea sasa, yanayofuata kila moja ya ishara za Mwenyezi Mungu: "Hakika katika hayo mna ishara kubwa; lakini wengi wao si waumini. Na hakika Mola wako Mlezi ndiye Mwenye nguvu, Mwenye rehema." (Aya 121-122)
We then have the sūrah’s now familiar comment that follows every one of God Almighty’s signs: “Indeed, there is in this a sure sign; yet most of them will not believe. And indeed it is your Lord who is the Mighty One, the Merciful.” (Verses 121-122)