Fatir Muumbaji (Hatima ya Hila mbaya) 39-45

Fatir Muumbaji (Hatima ya Hila mbaya) 39-45 - Katika Kivuli cha Qur'ani | Quran Course

Sehemu hii ya mwisho ya sura inajumuisha mizunguko kadhaa inayoenda mbali na kwa upana, ikiyapa nyoyo na akili zetu msukumo. Mzunguko mmoja unaangalia binadamu na jinsi kizazi kimoja kinavyofuatiwa na kingine. Mwingine unatupeleka mbinguni na ardhini kutafuta alama yoyote ya wale ambao washirikina wanadai kuwa ni washirika wa Mungu. Kisha tunapita tena mbinguni na ardhini kutafakari uweza wa Mungu anaposhikilia miili ya mbinguni na ardhi, akizihifadhi katika njia zao husika. Kisha washirikina wanakabiliwa na ahadi na viapo vyao walivyovunja. Waliapa kwamba iwapo watapata mtume wa kuwaonya, watafanya vizuri zaidi kuliko jamii zilizotangulia, lakini mtume alipowajia, jambo hilo liliongeza tu upotevu wao mbali na haki. Kisha linafuata tazamo la hatima za jamii zilizokufuru hapo awali. Hili ni kuonyesha kwa wale waliokanusha ujumbe wa Uislamu kwamba wanapaswa kujua kwamba sheria za Mungu zinaendelea kufanya kazi kila wakati. Ingawa walikuwa wanajua yaliyowapata makafiri waliotangulia, bado hawakuelewa kwamba hatima hiyo hiyo inaweza kuwapata kwa urahisi vile vile. Sura inamalizika kwa onyo linalopaswa kuingiza hofu mioyoni mwa watu. Linawaambia kwamba iwapo Mungu angewaadhibu watu mara moja kwa yale wanayoyafanya, hakuna hata mmoja angebaki juu ya uso wa ardhi. Hivyo basi, inatupasa kukiri neema ya Mungu kwa kutupa muda wa kutafakari na kuzingatia hali yetu.

This last passage of the sūrah includes several rounds that go far and wide, inspiring our hearts and minds. One round looks at humanity and how one generation succeeds another. Another takes us across the heavens and earth in search of any trace of those whom the unbelievers allege to he God’s partners. Then we go across the heavens and earth again to contemplate God’s power as He holds the celestial bodies and the earth keeping them on their respective courses. The unbelievers are then made to face their broken promises and oaths. They swore that should they have a messenger to warn them, they would do better than past communities, but when a messenger came to them, this only increased their deviation from the truth. A look at the fates of earlier unbelieving communities follows. This is to demonstrate to those who denied the message of Islam that they should know that God’s laws are constantly in operation. Although they were aware of what happened to earlier unbelievers, they still did not take on board that the same fate could just as easily befall them. The sūrah concludes with a warning that should strike fear in people’s hearts. It tells them that if God were to punish people immediately for what they incur, no one would remain on the face of the earth. It behoves us then, to acknowledge God’s grace in allowing us time to reflect and consider our position.

Yeye ndiye aliyekufanya kuwa warithi wa ardhi. Basi yeyote atakayekataa haki atabeba matokeo ya kufuru yake. Kwa kumkataa Yeye, makafiri hawatapata chochote isipokuwa kuongezeka chukizo lao mbele ya Mwenyezi Mungu; na kwa kumkataa Yeye, makafiri hawataongeza chochote isipokuwa hasara yao. (Aya ya 39)

It is He who made you inherit the earth. Hence, anyone who denies the truth will bear the consequences of his unbelief. In denying Him the unbelievers will have nothing but an increase of their loathsomeness in God’s sight; and in denying Him the unbelievers will only add to their loss. (Verse 39)

Kizazi kimoja cha wanadamu hurithi kizazi kingine; dola moja hutoweka ili nyingine iinuke mahali pake; mwali mmoja huzimika na mwingine huwashwa: yote ni harakati moja endelevu, inayoendelea mbele. Tukitafakari mzunguko huu usio na mwisho, mafunzo hujidhihirisha wazi. Kwa kweli, tunahisi kwamba hivi karibuni sisi wenyewe tutakuwa wa zamani, na kwamba vizazi vijavyo vitatazama alama tunazoacha nyuma kwa namna ile ile tunavyosoma kuhusu wale waliotangulia kabla yetu. Ndipo tunapotambua kwamba kuamua muda wa kila kitu ni cha Yule anayewaruhusu warithi kurithi wale ambao muda wao umekwisha. Hivyo ndivyo kila kitu hukwenda njia yake na kutoweka. Ni Mungu peke yake ndiye wa milele, asiyeathiriwa na kupita kwa wakati.

One generation of humanity inherits another; one state disappears to allow another to rise in its place; one flame is extinguished and one is lit: it is all the same continuous, progressive movement. If we contemplate this endless round, lessons clearly present themselves. Indeed, we feel that soon we ourselves will belong to the past and that future generations will look at the traces we leave behind in the same way as we read about those who passed before us. We then realize that age determination belongs to the One who allows the heirs to inherit those that have served their term. Thus everything goes its way and disappears. It is God alone who is everlasting, unaffected by the passage of time.

Mtu anayejua kwamba anakaa kwa muda kisha anaondoka, kama mtalii aliye likizoni, akiwaacha wanaomfuata watazame alichokifanya, anapaswa kujitahidi kufanya kukaa kwake kwa muda mfupi kuwe na thamani. Anapaswa kuacha nyuma kitu kitakachompatia kumbukumbu njema, na kufanya kitakachomnufaisha katika makazi yake ya mwisho, kwani wote watarejea kwa Yule anayewahesabu kila mmoja kwa kile wanachosema na kutenda. Hivyo ndivyo wanadamu wanavyopokezana kutoka kizazi kimoja hadi kingine: “Yeye ndiye aliyekufanyeni warithi wa ardhi.” (Aya ya 39)

The person who knows that he stays for a while and goes, like a tourist on holiday, leaving those who succeed him to look at what he has done, should endeavour to make his short stay worthwhile. He should leave behind what earns for him good remembrance and do what benefits him in his ultimate destination for all return to the One who holds everyone accountable for whatever they say and do. Such too is how mankind moves from one generation to another: “It is He who made you inherit the earth.” (Verse 39)

Kisha kuna ukumbusho wa uwajibikaji wa mtu binafsi. Hakuna atakayebebeshwa sehemu yoyote ya mzigo wa mtu mwingine; hakuna atakayemlinda mwingine kwa namna yoyote. Aya hii pia inatoa rejeo la kukataa kwao ukweli kwa ukaidi na matokeo yake ya mwisho: "Basi, yeyote anayekataa ukweli atabeba matokeo ya kufuru yake. Kwa kumkataa Yeye, makafiri hawatapata chochote isipokuwa ongezeko la chukizo lao mbele ya Mungu; na kwa kumkataa Yeye, makafiri watazidisha tu hasara yao." (Aya ya 39) Neno la Kiarabu, maqt, ambalo hapa limetafsiriwa kama 'chukizo', linaashiria kiwango cha juu kabisa cha chuki. Mtu anapopata chuki ya Mungu, hasara yake huzidi kila kitu tunachoweza kukiwazia.

Then follows a reminder of individual responsibility. None will be made to bear any part of another person’s burden; none will protect another in any way. This verse also refers to their persistent denial of the truth and its ultimate results: “Hence, anyone who denies the truth will bear the consequences of his unbelief In denying Him the unbelievers will have nothing but an increase of their loathsomeness in God’s sight; and in denying Him the unbelievers will only add to their loss.” (Verse 39) The Arabic word, maqt, which is translated here as ‘loathsomeness’, indicates the highest degree of hate. If a person incurs God’s hate, his loss exceeds all that we can imagine.

Mzunguko wa pili unatupeleka kote mbinguni na duniani kutafuta ushahidi wa wale ambao wanadai kuwa washirika wa Mungu. Hata hivyo, mbingu wala ardhi havina athari yoyote yao:

The second round takes us across the heavens and the earth to look for evidence of those whom they allege to be God’s partners. However, neither the heavens nor the earth bare any trace of them:

Sema: ‘Je, mmeona hao viumbe mnaowadai kuwa washirika wa Mungu, na mnaowaomba badala Yake? Nionyesheni wameumba nini duniani! Au wana sehemu katika mbingu?’ Je, tumewahi kuwapa kitabu ambacho wangeweza kukitegemea kama ushahidi? Hapana. Wanachoahidiana wakafiri si chochote ila udanganyifu.

Say: ‘Have you considered those beings whom you claim to be partners with God and whom you call upon beside Him? Show me what it is that they have created on earth! Or do they have a share in the heavens?’ Have We ever vouchsafed them a book on which they could rely as evidence? No. What the unbelievers promise one another is nothing but delusion. (Verse 40)

Hoja ni yenye nguvu na ushahidi ni wazi. Hii ni ardhi, iliyotandazwa mbele yetu kila upande. Ni sehemu gani yake, na kiumbe gani juu yake, ambacho mtu yeyote anaweza kudai kuwa kiliumbwa na mwingine asiye Mungu? Ikiwa mtu yeyote atathubutu kudai hivyo, kila kitu duniani kitakikanusha kwa sauti kubwa na wazi. Hakika, kila kitu kinasema jambo lile lile: vyote vimeumbwa na Mungu Mtukufu. Kila kitu kinabeba alama ya kazi isiyoweza kuigwa ya Muumba.

The argument is strong and the evidence is clear. This is the earth, stretched before us in all directions. Which part of it, and which creature on it, can anyone claim to have been created by other than God? Should anyone dare to make such a claim, everything on earth will rebut it loud and clear. Indeed, everything tells the same thing: all have been created by God Almighty. Everything bears the mark of the inimitable work of the Maker.

“Au je, wana sehemu mbinguni?” (Aya ya 40) Hili ni dhahiri zaidi. Hakuna anayedai kwamba miungu hiyo inayodaiwa ina sehemu yoyote katika uumbaji au umiliki wa mbingu. Hakuna hata mmoja anayetoa dai kama hilo, hata kwa majini au malaika. Wanachoweza kudai ni kwamba walitafuta msaada wa majini ili wawaletee habari kutoka juu. Wanachotumaini ni kwamba malaika watamwombea kwa Mungu kwa niaba yao. Hata hivyo, wakati wowote hawakudai kwamba miungu yao inayodaiwa ilikuwa na sehemu ya mbingu.

“Or do they have a share in the heavens?” (Verse 40) This is even more evident. No one claims that such alleged deities have any part in the creation or ownership of the heavens. Not a single one makes such a claim, not even for the jinn or the angels. All that they can claim is that they sought the jinn’s help to bring them news from on high. All they hope for is that the angels will intercede with God on their behalf. Yet at no time did they claim that their alleged deities had a portion of the heavens.

"Je, tumewahi kuwapa kitabu ambacho wangeweza kukitegemea kama ushahidi?" (Aya ya 40)

“Have We ever vouchsafed them a book on which they could rely as evidence?” (Verse 40)

Washirika wao wanaodaiwa hawawezi hata kufikia hatua ya kuwa na kitabu alichopewa na Mungu, ambacho wana uhakika kwamba ni cha kweli. Hata hivyo, swali hilo linaweza pia kuelekezwa kwa washirikina wenyewe. Kuendelea kwao kushikilia madai ya uongo kwamba Mungu ana washirika kunaweza kuashiria kwamba imani yao imejengwa juu ya ushahidi thabiti, yaani kitabu alichowapa Mungu. Lakini hilo nalo si kweli, wala hawawezi kulidai. Ikiwa tutalichukua swali kwa maana hii ya pili, basi linamaanisha kwamba imani inaweza kujengwa tu juu ya kitabu alichotoa Mungu, kwani hicho ndicho chanzo pekee cha kuaminika. Tena, hawawezi kudai hilo pia.

Their alleged partners cannot even reach this stage of having a book given them by God and of which they are certain to be true. The question, however, admits another possibility whereby it is addressed to the idolaters themselves. Their persistence with false claims that God has partners may suggest that their faith is based on solid proof in the form of a book given to them by God. Again this is untrue, and they cannot claim it. If we take the question in this second sense, it implies that faith can only be based on a book given by God: this is the only reliable source. Again, they can make no such claim.

Mtume, kwa upande mwingine, ana kitabu alichopewa na Mungu ambacho anawawasilishia. Basi kwa nini wanakigeuka wakati ndicho chanzo pekee cha imani ya kweli?

The Prophet, on the other hand, has a book given him by God which he presents to them. Why, then, are they turning away from it when it is the only source of true faith?

"Hapana. Wanachoahidiana wakafiri si chochote isipokuwa ni udanganyifu." (Aya ya 40) Wakosefu hukimbilia kuahidiana kwamba mbinu zao ndizo sahihi na kwamba mwishowe watashinda. Hakika wamedanganyika. Zaidi ya hayo, wanaishi katika udanganyifu usio na thamani.

“No. What the unbelievers promise one another is nothing but delusion.” (Verse 40) The wrongdoers are quick to promise each other that their methods are the correct ones and that they will eventually prevail. They are indeed deluded. Moreover, they live in worthless delusion.

Raundi ya tatu inaonyesha asili isiyo na kikomo ya uwezo wa Mwenyezi Mungu, kwani Yeye ndiye anayeshikilia mbingu na ardhi na kuvidumisha mahali pake. Hakuna mwingine mwenye sauti wala nafasi yoyote katika haya yote:

The third round reveals the limitless nature of God’s power as He is the One who holds the heavens and the earth and sustains them in place. No one else has any say or role in all this:

Ni Mwenyezi Mungu peke yake anayezishikilia mbingu na ardhi, ili zisipotee. Na lau zikipotea, hakuna yeyote atakayeweza kuzishikilia baada Yake.

It is God alone who holds the celestial bodies and the earth, lest they deviate [from their courses]. If they should ever deviate, no one else could uphold them after Him.

Hakika Yeye ni Mpole Mno, Mwingi wa Kusamehe. (Aya ya 41)

He is indeed Ever-Forbearing, Much-Forgiving. (Verse 41)

Kutazama mbingu na ardhi, na miili ya mbinguni inayosogea katika njia zake, bila kosa wala kupotoka, ikidumisha kasi yake bila ongezeko wala upungufu hata kidogo, kunapaswa kufungua akili zetu kuielewa mkono wenye nguvu unaozishikilia zote mahali pake. Iwapo miili hii ya mbinguni, au mbingu, au ardhi, zitapotoka katika njia zake na kutawanyika, hakuna yeyote ambaye angeweza kuzizuia. Huu ndio wakati unaotajwa mara nyingi katika Qur’ani kama ishara ya mwisho wa dunia: wakati ambapo mfumo unaoshikilia miili yote ya mbinguni mahali pake unavunjika, na uharibifu unatokea. Ndio wakati ambao Mwenyezi Mungu ameuweka kwa ajili ya hesabu na malipo kwa kila kitakachotokea katika maisha haya ya sasa. Hii inaashiria kuhamia katika ulimwengu wa akhera, ambao ni tofauti kabisa na ulimwengu tunaoishi sasa.

A glance at the heavens and the earth, and the celestial bodies moving in their orbits, without error or deviation, maintaining their speeds without the slightest increase or decrease, should open our minds to the mighty hand that holds them all in position. Should these celestial bodies or the heavens or the earth deviate from their courses and scatter no one would ever be able to hold them back. This is indeed the time frequently mentioned in the Qur’ān as signalling the end of the world: a point when the system holding all celestial bodies in position is broken, and destruction ensues. It is the time God has appointed for reckoning and reward for whatever takes place in this present life. This signals a transfer to the next world which is totally different from the world we currently live in.

Kwa hiyo, kauli kwamba Mungu ndiye anayeshikilia ulimwengu mahali pake inamalizikia kwa maoni haya:

Hence the statement that God holds the universe in place ends with the comment:

"Hakika Yeye ni Mvumilivu Mno, Mwingi wa Kusamehe." (Aya ya 41) Yeye huwavumilia watu kwa kuwapa muda. Hawamalizi dunia yao wala hawawawajibishi kabla ya muda aliouweka kufika. Huwapa nafasi za kutubu, kuanza kutenda mema na kujiandaa kwa maisha yao yajayo. Wala hawawajibishi watu kwa kila wanalolitenda. Kinyume chake, husamehe makosa mengi yao pale wanapoonyesha dalili yoyote ya kutaka kutenda mema. Kauli hii, basi, inapaswa kuwahimiza watu kutumia fursa iliyotolewa kabla haijachelewa.

“He is indeed Ever-Forbearing, Much-Forgiving.” (Verse 41) He forbears allowing people time. He does not put an end to their world or hold them to account before the term He has appointed. He gives them chances to repent, begin the good work and prepare for their future lives. Nor does He make people account for everything they do. On the contrary, He forgives much of their wrongdoing when they show any inclination to do well. This statement, then, should make people seize the opportunity provided before it is too late.

Raundi inayofuata inazungumzia washirikina wa Kiarabu na ahadi walizomwekea Mungu, ambazo kisha walizivunja, wakieneza uharibifu duniani. Wanaonywa kwamba sheria za Mungu daima zitafanya kazi, kamwe hazitashindwa.

The next round speaks about the Arab idolaters and the pledges they made to God, which they then breached, spreading corruption on earth. They are warned that God’s laws will always operate, never fail:

Wanaapa kwa Mwenyezi Mungu kwa viapo vyao vizito zaidi kwamba endapo mwonyaji angewajia, wangeongoka zaidi kuliko umma mwingine wowote; lakini mwonyaji alipowajia, waliongeza kukimbia na kujikweza katika ardhi, na kupanga njama mbaya. Lakini njama mbaya hazimnasi yeyote isipokuwa wale waliozipanga. Je, wanatarajia chochote isipokuwa mwenendo wa wale makafiri wa zamani?

They swear by God with their most solemn oaths that if a warner should ever come to them, they would follow his guidance better than some other community, but when a warner did come to them, they turned away with increased aversion, behaving arrogantly in the land and plotting evil. Yet such evil scheming will engulf none but its authors. Can they expect anything but the way of those unbelievers of old times?

Hutapata mabadiliko yoyote katika njia za Mungu; wala hutapata upotovu wowote humo.

No change will you ever find in God’s ways; no deviation will you ever find there.

(Aya 42-43)

(Verses 42-43)

Waarabu walikuwa na majirani Wayahudi katika Rasi ya Arabia, nao wakatambua jinsi Wayahudi walivyokuwa wameondoka mbali na njia iliyo sahihi. Walikuwa wamesikia mengi kuhusu historia yao na jinsi walivyowaua manabii wao, wakiigeuka kweli ambayo manabii hao waliitetea. Waarabu walikuwa wakiwalaumu Wayahudi, na kuapa kwa bidii kubwa kwamba "endapo mwonyaji atawajia, basi wangeongoka kwa mwongozo wake zaidi kuliko jamii nyingine yoyote." (Aya ya 42) Waliapa kwa namna hii makusudi, bila kuwataja Wayahudi, ingawa walikuwa wakiwarejelea wazi.

The Arabs had Jewish neighbours in the Arabian Peninsula and they realized how far the Jews had deviated from the right path. They had heard much of their history and how they had killed their prophets, turning away from the truth these prophets advocated. The Arabs used to blame the Jews, and to swear most earnestly that “if a warner should ever come to them, they would follow his guidance better than some other community.” (Verse 42) They deliberately made their oaths in this way, not mentioning the Jews although clearly referring to them.

Hivyo ndivyo walivyokuwa viapo vyao, ambavyo Qur’ani inawawekea watu wote ili wawe mashahidi wa yale ambayo Waarabu walikuwa wakisema enzi za kabla ya Uislamu. Kisha sura inaeleza yale waliyofanya pale Mwenyezi Mungu alipowapa walichokitamani, alipowatumia mjumbe wa kuwaonya: “Lakini mwonyaji alipowajia, waligeuka wakikimbia kwa chuki iliyozidi, wakijivuna duniani na kupanga njama mbaya.” (Aya 42-43)

Thus were their oaths, which the Qur’ān presents to everyone so as to make them witnesses to what the Arabs used to say in pre-Islamic days. The sūrah then reveals what they did when God gave them what they wished for, sending them a messenger to warn them: “but when a warner did come to them, they turned away with increased aversion, behaving arrogantly in the land and plotting evil.” (Verses 42-43)

Bila shaka, ni watu waovu tu ndio wangeapa kwa nguvu namna hiyo kisha wakaenenda kwa kiburi na uovu. Sura hii inawafichua, ikirekodi mwenendo wao, kisha inaongeza kwenye aibu yao onyo kwa wote wanaoiga matendo kama hayo: “Lakini mipango hiyo mibaya haitamzunguka yeyote isipokuwa wale waliopanga.” (Aya ya 43) Hivyo basi, uovu wao hautamdhuru yeyote isipokuwa wao wenyewe. Utawazunguka na kuwaangamiza.

Needless to say, only a foul people would swear so strongly and then behave with such arrogance and evil. The sūrah exposes them, recording their behaviour, before adding to their disgrace a warning to all who emulate such actions: “Yet such evil scheming will engulf none but its authors.” (Verse 43) Thus, their evil will harm none but themselves. It will engulf and ruin them.

Je, wanangoja nini basi? Hawawezi kungoja jambo lolote isipokuwa hatima iliyowapata wale waliokataa haki zamani. Wanaijua vizuri hatima hiyo. Kwa hiyo, hawawezi kungoja jambo lingine lolote isipokuwa utekelezwaji wa sheria ya Mungu ambayo kamwe haibadiliki: "Je, wanatarajia jambo lingine lolote isipokuwa njia ya wale makafiri wa zama za kale? Hutapata mabadiliko yoyote katika njia za Mungu; wala hutapata upotovu wowote humo." (Aya ya 43)

This being the case, what are they waiting for? They cannot wait for anything other than the fate that engulfed those who rejected the truth in the past. They are well aware of that fate. Hence, they can await for nothing other than the operation of God’s law which will never change: “Can they expect anything but the way of those unbelievers of old times? No change will you ever find in God’s ways; no deviation will you ever find there.” (Verse 43)

Mambo hayasongi hovyo na maisha hayasongi bila lengo. Kuna sheria za kudumu ambazo haziruhusu mabadiliko. Qur’ani inatangaza ukweli huu na inataka watu wajifunze ili wasitazame tukio lolote kwa kujitenga, wakapuuza utendaji wa sheria ya Mungu. Inavuta fikra zao kwenye viungo na uhusiano uliomo maishani na kwenye sheria za kuwepo kwa vitu, ikifanya wazi kwamba hizi daima zitabaki kuwa kweli. Duru hii ya sasa inatoa mfano wa jinsi Qur’ani inavyovuta fikra za watu kwenye ukweli huu, baada ya kuthibitisha kwamba sheria za Mungu zinabaki kuwa thabiti:

Things never move haphazardly and life does not move aimlessly. There are constant laws that allow no change. The Qur’ān states this truth and wants people to learn it so that they do not look at any event in isolation, overlooking the operation of God’s law. It draws their attention to the links and relations in life and the laws of existence, making it clear that these will always remain true. This present round gives an example of how the Qur’ān draws people’s attention to this fact, after having confirmed that God’s laws remain constant:

Je, hawajatembea katika ardhi wakaona ilivyokuwa mwisho wa wale waliokuwa kabla yao, ilhali walikuwa wenye nguvu zaidi kuliko wao? Mungu hawezi kushindwa kwa chochote katika mbingu na ardhi. Yeye ni Mjuzi wa kila kitu, Mwenye uwezo usio na kikomo. (Aya ya 44)

Have they not travelled in the land and seen what happened in the end to those before them, even though they were much mightier than them? God can never be foiled by anything whatever in the heavens and the earth. He is All-Knowing, infinite in His power. (Verse 44)

Tunapotembea kwa macho yaliyo wazi na akili zilizo macho, tukiangalia hatima za jamii zilizotangulia na jinsi zilivyoangamia baada ya kuwa na nguvu na madaraka, hili linapaswa kutupa msukumo wa wazi na kuamsha hisia zetu za kumcha Mungu. Ni kwa sababu hii ndiyo Qur'ani mara nyingi inawaelekeza watu kusafiri, kutazama pande zote na kutafakari. Watu wasipofanya hivyo, watabaki hawajui ukweli, na hawatapata mafunzo kutokana na hatima za jamii zilizopita. Wala hawatauhusisha matukio kama hayo na kanuni za kiulimwengu zinazowahusu. Hata hivyo, hii ndiyo sifa inayomtofautisha mwanadamu na wanyama.

When we travel with open eyes and alert minds, looking at the fates of earlier communities and how they perished after having commanded strength and power, this should give us clear inspiration and awaken our God-fearing sense. It is for this reason that the Qur’ān often directs people to travel, look around and reflect. Unless people do so, they will remain oblivious of the truth, and they will not draw lessons from the fates of past communities. Nor will they link such events to the universal laws that apply to them. Yet this is the quality that distinguishes man from animals.

Kinyume chake, jamii nzima ya binadamu ni kitu kimoja mbele ya umoja wa mfumo na sheria ya kiulimwengu inayowahusu wote.

By contrast, the whole of the human race is one unit vis-a-vis the unity of the system and the universal law that applies to all.

Wakati wanapolazimishwa kutafakari hatima za jamii zilizotangulia, ambazo nguvu zao kubwa haziwasaidia chochote, wanakumbushwa juu ya uweza wa Mungu. Ni Yeye aliyeamua hatima ya jamii hizo, kwa kuwa hakuna kitu kinachoweza kustahimili nguvu zake:

While they are made to contemplate the fates of earlier communities, whose greater power availed them of nothing, they are reminded of God’s might. It is He who sealed the fate of those communities, for nothing can withstand His power:

"Mungu hawezi kushindwa na chochote, chochote kile kilicho mbinguni na duniani." (Aya 44)

“God can never be foiled by anything whatever in the heavens and the earth.” (Verse 44)

Hii ni kweli isiyopingika, na inaungwa mkono na maelezo wazi: "Yeye ni Mjuzi wa kila kitu, Mwenye uwezo usio na kikomo." (Aya ya 44) Elimu Yake inajumuisha kila kitu kilichomo mbinguni na duniani. Uwezo Wake unapoongezwa kwenye elimu Yake kamili na isiyo na mipaka, hakuna kitu kinachomtoka wala kinachoweza kumpinga. Kwa hiyo, hakuna kitu chochote katika ulimwengu kinachoweza kuzuia kusudi Lake. Hakuna njia yoyote ambayo mtu anaweza kukimbia uwezo Wake au kujificha kutoka elimu Yake.

This is a truism which is supported by clear explanation: “He is All-Knowing, infinite in His power.” (Verse 44) His knowledge encompasses everything in the heavens and on earth. When His power is added to His perfect and absolute knowledge, nothing escapes Him or stands up to Him. Hence, nothing in the universe can foil His purpose. There is no way that anyone can escape His power or hide from His knowledge.

Aya ya mwisho katika sura hii inazungumzia upole na rehema za Mungu, ikizilinganisha na uweza wake na ujuzi wake. Inasisitiza kwamba watu wanapewa nafasi, hawaadhibiwi mara moja, lakini hilo halibadilishi hesabu sahihi ya matendo yao hatimaye wala uadilifu wa matokeo mwishoni. Haya yote ni sehemu ya neema yake:

The last verse in the sūrah speaks of God’s forbearance and compassion, juxtaposing these with His power and knowledge. It emphasizes that people are given a chance, not punished immediately, but that this does not affect the eventual accurate reckoning of their deeds or the fairness of the results at the end. All this is an aspect of His grace:

Ikiwa Mungu angewaadhibu watu mara moja kwa maovu wanayoyafanya, asingeacha hata kiumbe kimoja hai juu ya uso wa ardhi. Lakini huwapa muhula hadi muda uliowekwa na Yeye. Muda wao utakapofika, (wataona kwamba) Mungu anawaona waja wake wote. (Aya ya 45)

If God were to punish people [at once] for the wrongs they do, He would not leave a single living creature on the surface of the earth. However, He grants them respite for a term set [by Him]. When their term comes to an end, [they realize that] God has all His servants in His sight. (Verse 45)

Watu hufanya aina zote za matendo maovu, wakionyesha kutokushukuru neema za Mwenyezi Mungu, wakieneza uovu na ufisadi duniani, wakitenda kila aina ya dhulma na uvunjaji wa mipaka. Lau Mwenyezi Mungu angewaadhibu watu kwa haki kwa matendo yao, adhabu yake ingewafikia si wao tu, bali ingejumuisha kila kiumbe hai juu ya uso wa dunia. Sayari nzima ingekuwa basi haifai kwa aina yoyote ya uhai, si uhai wa binadamu peke yake.

People commit all sorts of bad actions, showing ingratitude for God’s favours, spreading evil and corruption on earth, committing all manner of injustices and excesses. Were God to mete out fair punishment to people for their actions, His punishment would have gone beyond them to include every living thing on the face of the earth. The whole planet would then be unsuitable for any type of life, not merely human life.

Hii inaonyesha asili mbaya ya kile watu wanachofanya kama nguvu ya uharibifu 243

This highlights the terrible nature of what people perpetrate as a destructive force 243

Hilo linaweza kuiangamiza maisha yote. Hata hivyo, Mungu hawachukulii watu hatua mara moja; Yeye huvumilia na kuwapa nafasi: "Lakini huwapa muda wa kuishi hadi wakati uliowekwa [na Yeye]." (Aya ya 45) Huwapa watu binafsi muda hadi mwisho wa maisha yao duniani, na huzipa jamii muda wa kutekeleza wajibu wao katika kutimiza kazi ambayo Mungu amewapa wanadamu, ya kujenga maisha ya kibinadamu duniani, hadi wakabidhi kizazi kijacho. Pia huupa wanadamu wote muda hadi mwisho wa maisha ya binadamu duniani, wakati Saa ya Mwisho itakapofika. Anatupa fursa hizi zote ili tuirekebishe njia yetu na kuboresha matendo yetu.

that could end life in its entirety. However, God does not take people to task straightaway; He forbears and gives them chances: “However, He grants them respite for a term set [by Him].” (Verse 45) He grants respite to individuals until the end of their lives on earth, and gives communities respite to fulfil their responsibility in performing the task He has assigned mankind to build human life on earth, until they hand over to the next generation. He also grants respite to the human race until the end of human life in this world when the Last Hour arrives. He provides us with all these chances so that we mend our ways and improve our actions.

“Muda wao utakapokwisha...” wakati wa kazi na kupata thawabu utakapokwisha; wakati wa kuhesabiwa na kutolewa thawabu utakapofika; Mwenyezi Mungu hatawapunguzia chochote katika thawabu zao. Kinyume chake, Yeye atawatendea haki wote: “Mwenyezi Mungu anao watumishi wake wote mbele yake.” (Aya ya 45) Ukweli kwamba anao wote mbele yake unahakikisha kwamba watalipwa kwa haki kwa kila walilofanya katika maisha yao. Hakuna jambo zito wala dogo litakalohesabiwa dhidi yao au kwa faida yao bila haki.

“When their term comes to an end...” when the time for work and earning reward is over; when it is time for reckoning and administering reward; God will not begrudge them anything of their reward. On the contrary, He will be fair to all: “God has all His servants in His sight.” (Verse 45) The fact that He has them all in His sight ensures that they will be fairly requited for whatever they have done in their lives. Nothing serious or trivial will be discounted for or against them.

Hivyo ndivyo inavyofikia tamati sura hii, ambayo ilianza kwa kumsifu Mwenyezi Mungu, Muumbaji wa mbingu na ardhi, "anayewateua malaika kuwa wajumbe wenye mabawa," wakifikisha ujumbe Wake, pamoja na maonyo yake na habari njema kwa watu wa duniani.

Thus ends this sūrah which started with praising God, the Originator of the heavens and the earth, “who assigns angels to be messengers, endowed with wings,” delivering His message, with its warnings and happy news to people on earth.

Fatir Muumbaji (Hatima ya Hila mbaya) 39-45

Muhtasari

Masomo ya Kutafakari

Kudumisha Ulimwengu

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