Katika hatua hii sura inazungumzia makundi fulani yaliyoonyesha udhaifu, lakini inatoa nafasi kubwa zaidi kufichua wanafiki waliojifanya kuamini ili kujiunga na safu za Waislamu baada ya Uislamu kuonyesha nguvu zake na kuonekana kana kwamba hakika utashinda. Waliona ni salama zaidi kuinamisha vichwa vyao mbele ya Uislamu ili wapate chochote wangeweza kukipata kama faida nyingine. Wakati huo huo, na uadui wa wazi ukiwa hauwezekani tena, walikuwa pia wanaweza kuudhoofisha Umma wa Kiislamu kutoka ndani. Hapa, basi, tutakutana na vipengele vyote vya udhaifu huo ambavyo tulivitaja katika Utangulizi.
At this point the sūrah speaks about certain groups that demonstrated weakness, but it reserves more space for exposing the hypocrites who pretended to believe in order to join the Muslim ranks after Islam had shown its strength and looked certain to triumph. They felt it safer to bow their heads to Islam so as to acquire whatever they might by way of other gain. Simultaneously, and with open hostility no longer feasible, they could also undermine the Muslim community from within. Here, then, we will encounter all those aspects of weakness to which we referred in the Prologue.
Kama lingekuwa na faida ya karibu na safari fupi, wangekufuata kwa hakika; lakini umbali ulikuwa mrefu kwao. Lakini watakuapia kwa Mungu: "Kama tungeweza, bila shaka tungekuwa pamoja nanyi." Wanajiangamiza wenyewe. Mungu anajua kwa hakika kwamba wao ni waongo. Mungu akusamehe ﷺ! Kwa nini uliwaruhusu kubaki nyuma kabla haujajua ni nani walio wakweli na ni nani waongo? Wale wanaomwamini Mungu na Siku ya Mwisho hawatakuomba wasamehewe kupigana jihadi kwa mali zao na nafsi zao. Mungu anajua vyema ni nani wenye taqwa. Ni wale tu wasiomwamini kweli Mungu na Siku ya Mwisho ndio wanaokuomba wasamehewe. Nyoyo zao zimejaa shaka; na kwa sababu ya shaka hiyo, wanayumbayumba. Kama kweli walikusudia kutoka pamoja nanyi, bila shaka wangejiandaa kwa ajili hiyo. Lakini Mungu aliichukia kwenda kwao, hivyo akawazuia; na iliambiwa kwao:
Had there been [a prospect of] an immediate gain, and a short journey, they would certainly have followed you; but the distance was too far for them. Yet they will swear by God: ‘Had we been able, we would surely have joined you.’ They bring ruin upon themselves. God knows indeed that they are liars. May God forgive you [Prophet]! Why did you grant them permission [to stay behind] before you had come to know who were speaking the truth and who were the liars. Those who believe in God and the Last Day will not ask you to exempt them from striving with their property and with their lives. God has full knowledge as to who are the God-fearing. Only those who do not truly believe in God and the Last Day ask you for exemption. Their hearts are filled with doubt; and troubled by doubt, they do waver. Had they really intended to set out [with you], they would surely have made some preparations for that. But God was averse to their going, so He caused them to hold back; and it was said to them:
"Kaeni pamoja na wale wanaobaki nyuma."
Kama wangalitoka pamoja nanyi, wasingalikuongezeeni chochote isipokuwa shida, na wangalikimbia huku na huko katikati yenu, wakitafuta kuzusha fitina baina yenu. Na miongoni mwenu wako watu ambao wangalitega masikio kwao.
Stay behind with those who stay.’ Had they set out with you, they would have added nothing to you but trouble, and would have scurried to and fro in your midst, seeking to sow discord among you. There are among you some who would have lent them ear.
Hakika Mwenyezi Mungu ana ujuzi kamili wa madhalimu. Walikuwa, hata kabla ya wakati huu, wamejaribu kuleta fitina, na kupanga njama dhidi yako, hadi haki ilipodhihirika na mapenzi ya Mwenyezi Mungu yakashinda, hata iwe ya kuchukiza kiasi gani kwao. (Aya 42-48)
Certainly God has full knowledge of the wrongdoers. They had, even before this time, tried to sow discord, and devised plots against you, until the truth was revealed and the will of God prevailed, no matter how hateful it is to them. (Verses 42-48)
Jambo la kwanza linalosisitizwa hapa ni kwamba lau hali ingehusisha faida ya haraka au safari fupi isiyokuwa na hatari kubwa, wangemfuata Mtume ﷺ. Lakini safari hiyo haikuwa rahisi.
The first thing highlighted here is that had the situation involved the prospect of immediate gain or the undertaking of a short journey, which represented no serious risk, they would have joined the Prophet. But the undertaking was not an easy one.
Safari ilikuwa ndefu mno kwa wale wenye nia dhaifu na uwezo mdogo wa kutamani utukufu. Juhudi iliyohitajika haikuwa kwa wale wenye mioyo myonge. Watu waliitwa kuinuka kwa tukio kubwa, tukio ambalo lingethibitisha uimara wao. Kwa hiyo katika jamii tunaona aina ya watu ambao tunakutana nao katika vizazi vyote: "Lau kama kungekuwa na faida ya karibu na safari fupi, wangalikufuata kwa hakika; lakini umbali ulikuwa mrefu mno kwao." (Aya ya 42)
The destination was much too far for those with a weak resolve and a frail aptitude for glory. The effort required was not for those with weak hearts. People were called upon to rise to a great occasion, one which would prove their metal. Hence we find in the community a type of people that we encounter across all generations: “Had there been [a prospect of] an immediate gain, and a short journey, they would certainly have followed you; but the distance was too far for them.” (Verse 42)
Watu wengi hugeuka migongo yao wanapoona barabara inayoelekea kilele cha juu.
Countless people turn their backs when they see a road leading to a high summit.
Wanapotambua kwamba ni safari ndefu watakayopaswa kuipitia, hurudi nyuma, wakipendelea kupata faida ya papo hapo, hata kama ni ndogo. Watu wa aina hii wapo katika kila jamii na katika kila kizazi. Si kundi dogo linalopatikana katika jamii ya Madinah pekee; wanakutana nao kila mahali. Wanadhoofika pembezoni mwa maisha, ingawa wanaweza kudhani kwamba wamefikia malengo yao bila kulipa gharama kubwa. Gharama ndogo inaweza tu kununua kitu cha kawaida, kisicho na thamani.
When they realize that it is a long way that they must traverse, they withdraw, preferring to seek immediate gain, petty as it may be. Such people are found in every community and in all generations. They are not a small group found in the Madinah community only; they are encountered everywhere. They languish on the margins of life, although they may think that they have attained their goals without having to pay a hefty price. A paltry price can only buy what is trivial, worthless.
“Watamwapia Mungu: ‘Lau tungeliweza, bila shaka tungeliungana nanyi.’” (Aya ya 42) Uongo huenda sambamba na woga na udhaifu. Ni wanyonge na waoga wa moyo tu ndio hukimbilia uongo, ingawa wakati mwingine wanaweza kuonekana kuwa na nguvu kubwa. Mtu mwenye nguvu hasiti kukabiliana na tukio lolote uso kwa uso, ilhali mnyonge daima hukwepa. Hii ni kanuni isiyoshindwa kamwe. “Wanajiangamiza wenyewe.” (Aya ya 42) Kwa hakika wanajiangamiza wenyewe kwa kiapo chao cha uongo ambacho wanadhani kitawaokoa machoni pa watu wengine. Hata hivyo, Mungu anajua ukweli na anaudhihirisha kwa wanadamu. Hivyo mwongo anaangamizwa katika maisha haya kwa matokeo ya uongo wake, na anajiangamiza mwenyewe Akhera pale asipoweza kuficha nia zake halisi mbele ya Mungu, kwa sababu “Mungu hakika anajua kwamba wao ni waongo.” (Aya ya 42)
“They will swear by God: ‘Had we been able, we would surely have joined you.’” (Verse 42) Lying goes hand in hand with cowardice and weakness. Only the weak and faint- hearted resort to lies, even though they may occasionally appear to command considerable power. A strong person will not hesitate to face any eventuality head on, while the weak will always remain evasive. It is a rule that never fails. “They bring ruin upon themselves.” (Verse 42) They certainly ruin themselves by their false swearing which they imagine will save them in the eyes of other people. However, God knows the truth and He reveals it to mankind. Thus the liar is ruined in this life by the effects of his falsehood and he ruins himself in the hereafter when he cannot deny his true motives before God, because “God knows indeed that they are liars.” (Verse 42)
"Mungu akusamehe [Ewe Nabii]! Kwa nini uliwapa ruhusa [ya kubaki nyuma] kabla hujajua ni akina nani wanaosema kweli na ni akina nani waongo?" (Aya ya 43) Hapa tunaona upole wa Mungu, kwani Yeye anaanza kwa kutangaza msamaha wake kabla ya lawama. Wale wanafiki waliobaki nyuma waliweza kuficha nia zao halisi pale Nabii ﷺ alipowaruhusu kubaki nyuma baada ya kutoa visingizio vyao. Hii ilikuwa fursa ya kufichua uongo wao, kwa sababu wangebaki nyuma hata hivyo, ijapokuwa Nabii ﷺ angewazuia ruhusa yake. Wangeonekana jinsi walivyo kweli, bila ile sura yao ya uongo.
“May God forgive you [Prophet]! Why did you grant them permission [to stay behind] before you had come to know who were speaking the truth and who were the liars?” (Verse 43) Here we have an example of God’s kindness as He begins with stating His pardon before His reproach. Those hypocrites who stayed behind were able to hide their true colours when the Prophet allowed them to stay behind after they had presented their excuses. This was a chance to expose their falsehood, because they would have stayed behind anyway, even though the Prophet would have withheld his permission. They would have been seen as they truly were, without their false guise.
Lakini kwa kuwa hili halikutokea, Qur-ani inawafichua na kuweka wazi kanuni zinazowatofautisha waumini wa kweli na wanafiki: "Wale wanaomwamini Mwenyezi Mungu na Siku ya Mwisho hawakuombi ruhusa ya kujiepusha na kupigana Jihadi kwa mali zao na nafsi zao. Mwenyezi Mungu anawajua vyema wanaomcha. Ni wale tu wasiomwamini kweli Mwenyezi Mungu na Siku ya Mwisho ndio wanaokuomba ruhusa ya kujiepusha. Nyoyo zao zimejaa shaka; na kwa kuwa wamezongwa na shaka, wanayumbayumba." (Aya 44-45)
But since this did not happen, the Qur’ān exposes them and states clearly the rules which distinguish the true believers from the hypocrites: “Those who believe in God and the Last Day will not ask you to exempt them from striving with their property and with their lives. God has full knowledge as to who are the God-fearing. Only those who do not truly believe in God and the Last Day ask you for exemption. Their hearts are filled with doubt; and troubled by doubt, they do waver.” (Verses 44-45)
Hii ni kanuni ambayo kamwe haishindwi. Wale wanaomwamini Mungu na Siku ya Hukumu hawangoji ruhusa ili kupigania sababu ya Mungu. Hawatasita kuitikia wito wa kujitahidi kwa bidii, wakitoa mali zao na maisha yao. Watakimbilia kuitikia, iwe wamejihami kwa silaha nyepesi au nzito, kama Mungu alivyoamuru. Wanamtii Yeye, wakiwa na uhakika kwamba watakutana Naye Siku ya Hukumu, wakiwa na yakini ya malipo Yake, na wakitumaini kupata radhi Yake. Wao ni wepesi wa kujitolea, kwa hiyo hawahitaji kuhimizwa, achilia mbali kupewa ruhusa maalum.
This is the rule which will never fail. Those who believe in God and in the Day of Judgement do not wait for permission in order to fight for God’s cause. They will not hesitate to answer the call to strive hard, offering their wealth and their lives. They will rush to respond, whether they are lightly or heavily armed, as God has commanded. They obey Him, assured that they will meet Him on the Day of Judgement, certain of His reward, and hoping to win His pleasure. They are quick to volunteer, and so they do not need any encouragement, let alone special permission.
Wale wanaoomba ruhusa ni wale ambao mioyo yao ina imani kidogo. Kwa hiyo wao hulegea, wakitafuta visingizio vya kila aina. Hakika wao hutumaini kwamba kutatokea jambo litakalowazuia kutekeleza majukumu yanayotakiwa na imani wanayojifanya kuwa nayo, wakiwa ni watu wenye kusitasita, waliojaa shaka.
Those who seek permission are the ones whose hearts have little faith. Hence they slacken, seeking all kinds of excuses. Indeed they hope for something to happen which will prevent them from fulfilling the tasks required by the faith they pretend to have, when they are waverers, full of doubt.
Njia inayoelekea kwenye radhi za Mwenyezi Mungu ni nyoofu na imewekwa alama wazi. Ni mtu asiyeijua njia, au yule anayeijua lakini anajaribu kuepuka taabu zake, ndiye anayesita kuifuata. Wale waliobaki nyuma wakati wa Vita vya Tabūk walikuwa na uwezo wa kujiunga na jeshi, kama wangetaka kufanya hivyo. Walikuwa na njia zote walizohitaji. Miongoni mwao walikuwamo watu kama `Abdullāh ibn Ubayy na al-Jadd ibn Qays, wote wawili wakiwa matajiri na wa tabaka la watu mashuhuri. "Lau kama kweli wangekusudia kutoka pamoja nanyi, bila shaka wangejiandalia kwa ajili hiyo. Lakini Mwenyezi Mungu alichukia kwenda kwao." (Aya ya 46)
The way leading to God’s pleasure is straight and clearly marked. Only a person who does not know the way, or one who knows it but tries to avoid its hardship, is reluctant to follow it. Those who stayed behind at the time of the Tabūk Expedition were able to join the army, had they wished to do so. They had all the means at their disposal. Among them were people like `Abdullāh ibn Ubayy and al-Jadd ibn Qays, both of whom were rich and from among the nobility. “Had they really intended to set out [with you], they would surely have made some preparations for that. But God was averse to their going.” (Verse 46)
Hili ni kutokana na Alichokijua Yeye kuhusu asili yao na unafiki wao, pamoja na nia zao mbaya kwa Waumini, kama tutakavyoona. Kwa hiyo, "Akawazuia kwenda," na hakuwapa msukumo wa kuondoka pamoja na Waumini. Hivyo, "Iliambiwa kwao: 'Kaeni nyuma pamoja na wanaokaa.'" (Aya ya 46) Basi wakakaa nyuma pamoja na wazee, wanawake na watoto ambao hawakulazimika kupigana. Hapa ndipo mahali pa haki kwa wenye mioyo dhaifu wanaoyumbayumba na wasiokuwa na imani.
This is due to what He knew of their nature and their hypocrisy, as well as their ill intentions towards the believers, as we will see. Hence, “He caused them to hold back,” and did not give them the motivation to set forth with the believers. So, “it was said to them: ‘Stay behind with those who stay.’’’ (Verse 46) Thus they stayed behind with the elderly, the women and the children who were not required to fight. This is the right place for faint-hearted waverers who lack faith.
Hata hivyo, hili hakika lilikuwa bora zaidi kwa Uislamu na Waislamu: “Lau wangalitoka pamoja nanyi, wasingalikuongezeeni chochote isipokuwa shida, na wangalikimbia huku na huku katikati yenu, wakitafuta kuleta fitina baina yenu. Na miongoni mwenu wako baadhi ya watu ambao wangalitega sikio kwao. Hakika Mungu anajua vyema madhalimu.” (Aya ya 47)
However, this was certainly better for Islam and the Muslims: “Had they set out with you, they would have added nothing to you but trouble, and would have scurried to and fro in your midst, seeking to sow discord among you. There are among you some who would have lent them ear. Certainly God has full knowledge of the wrongdoers.” (Verse 47)
Mioyo inayoyumba-yumba huenda ikaeneza woga na kusitasita kukutana na adui.
Wavering hearts are likely to spread cowardice and reluctance to meet the enemy.
Wasaliti ni hatari halisi kwa jeshi lolote. Kama wale wanafiki wangeondoka pamoja na jeshi la Waislamu, hawangeongeza nguvu ya Waislamu. Kwa hakika wangeongeza tu machafuko na matatizo, nao wangekimbia huku na kule, wakipanda mbegu za mifarakano na kushauri kurudi nyuma. Wakati huo, kulikuwa na baadhi ya Waislamu waliokuwa wakiwasikiliza, wakidhani kwamba ni waaminifu katika ushauri wao. Hata hivyo, Mungu, ambaye huilinda ujumbe Wake na kuwapa ulinzi wale waumini waliojitolea, aliwaepusha Waislamu na haya yote kwa kuwaacha wanafiki wabaki nyuma:
Traitors are a real danger to any army. Had those hypocrites set out with the Muslim army, they would not have added to the strength of the Muslims. Indeed they would only have added chaos and trouble, and they would have scurried to and fro, sewing discord and counselling retreat. At that time, there were among the Muslims some who would listen to them, thinking them to be honest in their counsel. However, God who takes care of His message and extends His protection to those who are dedicated believers, spared the Muslims all this by letting the hypocrites stay behind:
"Hakika Mwenyezi Mungu anawajua kikamilifu wanaodhulumu." (Aya ya 47) Maelezo, wanaodhulumu, katika mfano huu yanamaanisha 'waabudu masanamu,' ambayo kwa kweli yanamaanisha kwamba nao pia ni miongoni mwa waabudu masanamu.
“Certainly God has full knowledge of the wrongdoers.” (Verse 47) The description, wrongdoers, in this instance means ‘the idolaters,’ which in effect means that they also belong to the idolaters.
Historia yao inathibitisha nia zao mbaya na ukosefu wao wa imani. Walimpinga Mjumbe wa Mwenyezi Mungu kwa juhudi zao zote katika upinzani huo. Pale upinzani wao wote na njama zao ziliposhindwa, walitangaza kukubali ujumbe wake, lakini ndani kabisa ya mioyo yao hawakuwa na imani: "Hakika walikwisha tafuta kuleta fitina hapo kabla, na wakakupangia mipango, mpaka haki ikadhihirika na amri ya Mwenyezi Mungu ikashinda, ijapokuwa wanaichukia."
Their past confirms their evil intentions and their lack of faith. They had opposed God’s Messenger exerting their utmost in such opposition. When all their opposition and schemes were foiled, they declared their acceptance of his message, but deep at heart they lacked belief: “They had, even before this time, tried to sow discord, and devised plots against you, until the truth was revealed and the will of God prevailed, no matter how hateful it is to them.” (Verse 48)
Hii ilikuwa wakati Mtume Muĥammad ﷺ alipohamia Madina na kabla Mungu hajamwezesha kupata ushindi dhidi ya maadui zake. Kisha ukweli ukashinda na neno la Mungu likatukuka. Wanafiki walilazimika kulinyenyekea, ingawa hilo lilikuwa chukizo kwao. Hata hivyo, waliendelea kungojea fursa ya kuleta fitina kwa Waislamu.
This was at the time the Prophet Muĥammad (peace be upon him) migrated to Madinah and before God enabled him to achieve victory over his enemies. Then the truth triumphed and God’s word was supreme. The hypocrites had to bow before it, hateful as that was to them. However, they remained on the look out for a chance to cause trouble for the Muslims.