Sura hii inashughulikia masuala makuu ya haki na batili, imani na kutokuamini, ujumbe na wale wanaoukataa, pamoja na dhulma isiyo na haki na jinsi Mungu anavyowaadhibu madhalimu wanaotaka kuwalazimisha wengine matakwa yao. Pia inataja nafasi ya waumini wanaofuata mwongozo wa Mungu na kutii amri zake. Inataja jinsi malaika wanavyoomba wasamehewe dhambi zao, na jinsi Mungu anavyojibu maombi yao. Inazungumzia pia malipo yanayowasubiri katika maisha ya Akhera.

This surah deals with the major issues of truth and falsehood, faith and unfaith, the message and those who reject it, as well as unjustifiable tyranny and how God smites tyrants who seek to impose their will on others. It also refers to the position of believers who follow Divine guidance and obey God’s commandments. It mentions how the angels pray that they may be forgiven their sins, and how God answers their prayers. It also speaks about the reward awaiting them in the life to come.

Kutokana na mada yake, mazingira yote ya sura hii ni ya vita, vita kati ya haki na batili, imani na dhuluma. Hili limechanganywa na hali ya neema na rehema kila panapotajwa waumini. Mazingira ya jumla yanajengwa kupitia maelezo ya jinsi jamii zilizotangulia ziliangamizwa kwa sababu ya kupinga imani ya Mwenyezi Mungu, pamoja na picha kadhaa za Siku ya Kiama. Kwa ujumla, picha hizi za kutisha zinaendana na hali ya huzuni na uzito ya sura hii.

Such being its subject matter, the whole atmosphere of the surah is one of a battle, the battle between truth and falsehood, faith and tyranny. This is interspersed with an air of grace and mercy whenever the believers are mentioned. The general atmosphere is generated through a description of how earlier communities were destroyed as a result of their opposition to Divine faith, as well as several images of the Day ofJudgement. All in all, these awesome images suit the sombre air of the surah.

Kwa kufaa, mwanzo wa sura hutumia misemo mifupi yenye mdundo wa kipekee: "Anayesamehe dhambi; anayekubali toba; ni mkali wa adhabu; mwenye fadhila zisizo na mwisho; hakuna mungu isipokuwa Yeye; na kwake ndiko marejeo ya mwisho" (Aya ya 3). Misemo hii inasikika kama nyundo zinazopigwa kwa pamoja, zenye mshikamano kati ya maana na mdundo. Pia zingatia kwamba maneno kama 'uwezo' na 'nguvu' yanatumika mara kwa mara katika sura hii.

Fittingly, the opening of the surah uses short phrases that carry a distinctive beat: 'who forgives sins; accepts repentance; is severe in retribution; limitless in bounty; there is no deity other than Him; to Him is the ultimate return" (Verse 3) These phrases sound like hammers striking in unison, with harmony between meaning and rhythm. Note also that words like ‘might’ and ‘power’ are frequently used in the surah.

Kwa ujumla, sura hii ina athari kubwa kwetu, kwani inaonyesha matukio ya Siku ya Hukumu na picha za hatima ya jamii zilizotangulia. Wakati mwingine, inalegeza mdundo wake ili kugusa mioyo yetu kwa upole, ikituonyesha picha za malaika wanaobeba kiti cha enzi cha Mungu, pamoja na wale wanaokizunguka, wakimwomba Mungu awaneemeshe waja Wake waliojitolea. Vivyo hivyo, inaweza kusemwa kuhusu aya zinazorejelea matukio ya kiulimwengu au vipengele laini vya nafsi ya binadamu, kwani zote mbili hutoa ushahidi unaounga mkono ukweli wa imani. Basi, hapa kuna mifano ya aya zinazozalisha hisia hizi:

As a whole, the surah has a powerful effect on us, portraying as it does scenes of the Day of Judgement and images of the fate of earlier communities. At times, it softens its rhythm so as to gently touch our hearts, showing us images of the angels who carry God’s throne, as well as those around it, praying to God to bestow His grace on His devoted servants. The same may be said regarding the verses that refer to universal scenes or to the finer elements of the human soul, as both provide evidence in support of the truth of faith. Here, then, are some examples of the verses that generate these feelings:

1. Kuhusu jamii zilizotangulia na hatima yake: "Kabla ya wakati wao, watu wa Nuhu walikataa haki, kama walivyofanya makundi na jamii nyingine baada yao. Kila moja ya jamii hizi ilipanga njama dhidi ya mtume aliyetumwa kwao, wakikusudia kumkamata."

1. In reference to earlier communities and their fate: “Before their time the people ofNoah rejected the truth, as did other groups and communities after them. Each ofthese communities schemed against the messenger sent to them, aiming to lay their hands on him.

Kwa hoja za uongo walijitahidi kuukanusha ukweli, lakini nikawachukulia hatua. Basi adhabu yangu ilikuwa kubwa kiasi gani!

With false argument they strove to refute the truth, but then I took them to task. How awesome was My punishment? (Verse 5)

"Je, hawajapata kusafiri katika ardhi na kuona jinsi ulivyokuwa mwisho wa wale waliokuwa kabla yao? Walikuwa wakuu zaidi kwa nguvu kuliko hawa, na kwa athari walizoziacha duniani. Lakini Mwenyezi Mungu aliwaadhibu kwa dhambi zao, wala hawakuwa na yeyote wa kuwalinda dhidi ya Mungu. Hilo lilitokana na kwamba mitume wao waliwajia wakiwa na ushahidi wote wa haki, lakini wao wakaikataa. Basi Mungu akawaadhibu. Yeye ni Mwenye nguvu, Mkali wa adhabu." (Aya 21-22)

“Have they, then, never travelled through the land and beheld what happened in the end to those who lived before them? Greater were they in power than they are, and in the impact which they left on earth. God, however, took them to task for their sins, and they had none to defend them against God. That was because their messengers came to them with all the evidence of the truth, yet they rejected it. So God took them to task. He is powerful, stern in retribution? (Verses 21-22)

2. Kuhusu Siku ya Kiyama: "Waonye kuhusu Siku inayokaribia kila wakati, siku ambayo nyoyo za watu zitapanda hadi kooni kwa uchungu. Madhalimu hawatakuwa na rafiki wa karibu wala mwombezi anayesikilizwa." (Aya ya 18) "Je, hujaona jinsi wale wanaobishana juu ya ufunuo wa Mungu wanavyogeuzwa mbali na haki?"

2. In reference to the Day of Resurrection: “ Warn them ofthe Day that is ever drawing near, when people's hearts will chokingly come up to the throats. The wrongdoers will have neither intimatefriend nor intercessor to be heeded? (Verse 18) “Do you not see how those who dispute God's revelations are turned away from the truth?

Wale wanaokikataa Kitabu na ujumbe Tuliowatumia kupitia Mitume Wetu. Watakuja kujua hivi karibuni, watakapoburutwa wakiwa na minyororo na pingu shingoni mwao, hadi kwenye maji yanayochemka, kisha watachomwa motoni mwa Jahannamu? (Aya 69-72)

Those who reject the Book and the messages We sent through Our messengers. They will certainly come to know when, with chains and shackles round their necks, they will be dragged into scalding water, and then burnt in the fire ofhell? (Verses 69-72)

3. Mguso wa upole zaidi unatolewa katika tukio la wale wanaobeba kiti cha enzi cha Mwenyezi Mungu, waliojitolea katika sala ya unyenyekevu: "Wale wanaobeba Kiti cha Enzi na wale walio karibu nacho wanamtukuza Mola wao kwa utukufu na sifa zisizo na kikomo, na wanamwamini, na wanaomba msamaha kwa waumini wote: Mola wetu! Wewe unajumuisha kila kitu kwa rehema na elimu yako. Basi wasamehe wale wanaorejea kwako kwa toba na kufuata njia yako, na uwakinge na adhabu ya Moto unaowaka. Na, Mola wetu, uwaingize katika Bustani za milele ulizowaahidi, pamoja na wema miongoni mwa baba zao, wake zao na wazao wao. Hakika wewe ndiye Mwenye nguvu, Mwenye hekima. Waepushe na kila ovu. Yeyote utakayemwepusha na maovu siku hiyo, basi hakika utakuwa umempa rehema. Hiyo ndiyo ushindi mkubwa."' (Aya 7-9)

3. A softer touch is provided in the scene of those who carry Gods throne, devoted as they are in humble prayer: “ Those who bear the Throne and those around it extol their Lord's limitless glory and praise, and have faith in Him, and pray for the forgiveness of all believers: Our Lord! You embrace all things with [Your] grace and knowledge. Forgive, then, those who turn to You in repentance and follow Your path, and shield them from the suffering in the blazingfire. And, our Lord, admit them to the gardens ofperpetual bliss You have promised them, together with the righteous from among their ancestors, spouses and offspring. You alone are the Almighty, the Wise. Shield them from all evil. Anyone whom on that day You shall shield from evil, You shall have graced with mercy. That will be the supreme triumph.”' (Verses 7-9)

4. Mguso wa kutia moyo hupatikana katika maelezo ya miujiza ya ulimwengu na ndani ya nafsi ya binadamu: “Yeye ndiye aliyekuumba kutokana na udongo, kisha kutokana na tone la manii, kisha kutokana na kitu kinachoning'inia; kisha anakutoa kama watoto wachanga. Kisha anakufikisha kwenye ukomavu, kisha kukua na kuzeeka - ingawa baadhi yenu hufa mapema. [Yote haya Yeye anayapanga] ili mfikie muda wenu uliopangwa, na mtumie akili zenu. Yeye ndiye anayepanga uhai na mauti. Anapotaka jambo litokee, humwambia tu, ‘Kuwa,’ nalo likawa.” (Aya 67-68) “Mungu ndiye aliyekufanyieni usiku kwa ajili ya kupumzika, na mchana wa kuwawezesha kuona. Mungu ana wema usio na kikomo kwa binadamu, lakini watu wengi hawashukuru.

4. Inspirational touches are achieved in the portrayals of miraculous phenomena in the universe and within the human soul: “It is He who creates you out of dust, then out of a gamete, then out of a clinging cell mass; and then He brings you forth as infants. He then lets you reach maturity, and then grow old - although some ofyou die earlier. [All this He ordains] so that you may reach your appointed term, andyou may use your reason. It is He who ordains life and death. When He wills something to be, He only says to it, ‘Be, and it is." (Verses 67-68) “It is God who has made for you the night in which to rest, and the day to make you see. God is limitless in His bounty to man, but most people do not give thanks.

Hivyo ndivyo Mungu, Mola wenu, Muumbaji wa kila kilichopo: hakuna mungu isipokuwa Yeye. Basi mnageuzwa vipi?' (Al-Mu'min 61-62)

Such is God, your Lord, the Creator ofall that exists: there is no deity other than Him. How deluded can you be?' Wettes 61-62)

Ni Mungu aliyekufanyieni ardhi kuwa mahali pa kupumzikia na anga kuwa dari; Yeye amekuumbeni sura nzuri na amekuruzukuni vitu vizuri. Huyo ndiye Mungu, Mola wenu. Basi utukufu ni wa Mungu, Mola wa viumbe vyote.

“It is God who has made the earth a resting place for you and the sky a canopy. He has mouldedyou into a comely shape andprovided you with wholesome things. Such is God, your Lord. So glory be to God, the Lord ofall the worlds." (Verse 64)

Katika picha hizi zote kuna mshikamano na uthabiti wa wazi, mazingira yote yakiendana kikamilifu na mada ya sura hiyo.

In all these images there is evident harmony and consistency, the whole ambience perfectly fitting the surah's subject matter.

Sura hii inaweza kugawanywa katika sehemu nne. Ya kwanza inaanza kwa herufi mbili tofauti: "Ha. Mim. Ufunuo wa kitabu hiki unatoka kwa Mwenyezi Mungu, Mwenye nguvu, Mjuzi wa kila kitu." (Aya 1-2) Kisha inafuata misemo mifupi yenye mdundo wake wa kipekee, ambao tulishautaja hapo awali. Sura kisha inaeleza kwamba ulimwengu mzima unanyenyekea kwa Mungu na kumtii.

The surah may be divided into four parts. The first begins with two separate letters: “Ha. Mim. The revelation ofthis book is from God, the Almighty, the All-Knowing." (Verses 1-2) This is followed by the short phrases with their distinctive beat, to which we referred earlier. The surah then states that the whole universe submits to God and obeys Him.

Ni makafiri pekee wanaopinga ufunuo wa Mwenyezi Mungu, na kwa kufanya hivyo wanajitenga na wengine wote katika ulimwengu. Kwa hiyo, Nabii ﷺ asijali kwao, hata wawe na mali nyingi na waonekane wameridhika kiasi gani. Bila shaka watakabiliwa na hatima ileile iliyowapata jamii za makafiri waliotangulia. Mwenyezi Mungu aliwaadhibu kwa adhabu kali.

Only the unbelievers dispute Gods revelations, thus they separate themselves from the rest of the universe. Therefore, the Prophet should pay no attention to them, no matter how affluent and well pleased they appear to be. They will inevitably face the same fate suffered by earlier communities of unbelievers. God smote them with a stem punishment.

Hata hivyo, mateso zaidi yanawangoja katika maisha ya Akhera. Kwa upande mwingine, Malaika wanaobeba Kiti cha Enzi cha Mwenyezi Mungu, pamoja na wale wanaokizunguka, wanatangaza imani yao kwa Mola wao, wanaelekeza ibada yao kwa Yeye peke yake, na wanawaombea msamaha Waumini miongoni mwa wakaaji wa ardhi, pamoja na mafanikio yao na ustawi wao.

Nevertheless, more suffering awaits them in the life to come. By contrast, the angels carrying Gods throne, as well as those surrounding it, declare their belief in their Lord, address their worship to Him alone, and pray for the forgiveness of the believers among the dwellers of the earth, as well as for their success and prosperity.

Wakati huo huo, sura inatoa picha ya makafiri wakati ulimwengu wote, unaomwamini Mungu, unawaita siku ya Kiyama, ukisema: "Hakika chuki ya Mungu kwenu ni kubwa zaidi kuliko chuki yenu nafsi zenu leo, mliposhawishiwa kwenye imani nanyi mkaikataa." (Aya ya 10) Katika hali yao ya unyonge, tofauti na kiburi chao katika maisha haya ya sasa, wanakiri makosa yao na kumkiri Bwana wao, lakini ufahamu huo sasa hauna faida kwao. Wanakumbushwa tu yale waliyokuwa wakifanya walipomshirikisha Mungu na kugeuka kwa kiburi mbali na uongofu wake.

At the same time, the surah gives an image of the unbelievers when the entire universe, which believes in God, calls out to them on the Day of Resurrection, saying: “Indeed, greater than your present loathing of yourselves is God's Loathing ofyou when you were called to the faith and you rejected it." (Verse 10) In their position of humiliation, which contrasts with their arrogance in this present life, they admit their faults and acknowledge their Lord, but such realization is now of no use to them. They are only reminded of what they used to do when they associated partners with God and arrogantly turned from His guidance.

Picha hii ya Akhera inafuatwa na picha inayoonyesha hali ya watu katika maisha haya ya sasa: "Yeye ndiye anayekuonyesha ishara zake, na anakuteremshia riziki kutoka mbinguni." (Aya ya 13) Wanakumbushwa hivyo ili wamrudie Mola wao na kutangaza imani yao kwake kuwa Mungu pekee: "Basi muombeni Mungu, mkimtakasia dini yenu, ingawa wakafiri wanachukia." (Aya ya 14) Kisha sura inatoa onyo kali kuhusu siku ile ya kutisha, na kufuatia hilo inatoa picha ya jinsi watakavyosimama siku hiyo: "Siku watakapotoka, hakuna kitu chao kitakachofichika kwa Mungu." (Aya ya 16) Wale wenye kiburi, madhalimu na wagomvi wote watatoweka na kuwa si kitu: "Ufalme ni wa nani leo? Ni wa Mungu, Mmoja Mshindi, Mwenye nguvu juu ya kila kilichopo." (Aya ya 16) Sura inaendelea kutoa picha zaidi za siku hiyo ambapo hukumu juu ya kila kitu ni ya Mungu peke yake. Wote walioabudiwa badala yake au pamoja naye hawataonekana popote.

This image of the hereafter is followed by one presenting peoples situation in this present life: “He it is who shows you His signs and sends down sustenance from the sky for you." (Verse 13) They are so reminded in order that they may turn to their Lord and declare their belief in Him as the only God: “Pray to God, then, sincere in your faith in Him alone, however hatefill this may be to the unbelievers." (Verse 14) The surah then adds a strong warning of that fearful day, and follows this with an image of how they stand on that day: “the Day when they shall come forth, with nothing about them concealed from God." (Verse 16) Those who are arrogant, tyrannical or disputant will all disappear into insignificance: “ With whom does sovereignty rest today? With God, the One who holds absolute sway over all that exists." (Verse 16) The surah goes on to give further images of that day when judgement over all belongs to God alone. All those worshipped instead or alongside Him are nowhere to be seen.

Sehemu ya pili inaanza kwa kutaja hatima iliyowapata jamii fulani zilizopita. Hii inatumika kama utangulizi wa simulizi kuhusu matukio fulani katika historia ya maisha ya Musa, hasa mkutano wake na Firauni, Haamani na Qarun. Matukio haya, yanayowakilisha mtazamo wa madhalimu kuhusu ujumbe wa haki, yameelezwa katika sura hii pekee.

The second part begins with a reference to the fate suffered by some past communities. This serves as a prelude to the narration about certain events from Moses’ life history and specifically his encounter with Pharaoh, Haman and Korah or Qarun. These events, representing tyrants’ attitude to the message of truth, are only told in this surah.

Hakuna marejeo yoyote mengine kuhusu wao katika Qur'ani. Wanasimulia habari ya muumini mmoja kutoka katika jamaa ya Firauni mwenyewe, ambaye alificha ukweli kwamba anaamini ujumbe wa Musa. Yeye anajaribu kwanza kumlinda Musa dhidi ya jaribio la Firauni la kumuua. Anatamka neno la haki, akilitoa kwa tahadhari mwanzoni, kisha hatimaye anatangaza waziwazi na kwa uwazi. Katika mjadala wake na Firauni, muumini huyu anatoa ushahidi imara na wa wazi wa ukweli, anamwonya Firauni na watu wake juu ya Siku ya Hukumu, anaelezea baadhi ya picha za siku hiyo kwa njia ya kuhamasisha, na anawakumbusha mtazamo wao na ule wa vizazi vilivyotangulia kwa Yusufu na ujumbe wake. Simulizi limeendelezwa kwa namna ya kuliunganisha, hatimaye, na maisha ya Akhera, na tunawaona wote huko wakibishana wao kwa wao wanapoteseka motoni. Mazungumzo hufanyika kati ya wanyonge wa jamii na viongozi wao wenye kiburi, upande mmoja, na mazungumzo mengine hufanyika kati yao wote na Malaika wanaosimamia Moto, wakijaribu kutafuta njia ya kutoka pale ambapo hakuna njia. Kwa kuzingatia tukio hili la mwisho, sura inamwelekeza Mtume Muhammad ﷺ kubaki na subira katika shida, kuwa na imani kamili kwamba ahadi ya Mwenyezi Mungu itatimia, na kumtukuza na kumsifu Yeye.

There is no reference to them anywhere else in the Qur’an. They tell us of a believer from Pharaoh’s own household, who concealed the fact that he believed in Moses’ message. He tries first to protect Moses against Pharaoh’s attempt to kill him. He states the word of truth, putting it cautiously at first, then ultimately declaring it openly and clearly. In his argument with Pharaoh, this believer presents strong and clear evidence for the truth, warns Pharaoh and his people of the Day ofJudgement, describes some images of the day in an inspirational way and reminds them of their attitude and that of generations before them to Joseph and his message. The story is developed in such a way as to link it, eventually, to the life to come, and we see them all there, disputing among themselves as they suffer in hell. The dialogue occurs between the weak elements of society and their arrogant leaders, on the one side, and another takes place between them all and the angels in charge of hell, trying to find a way out when there is none. In the light of this last scene, the surah directs the Prophet Muhammad to remain patient in adversity, to have full trust that God’s promise will come true, and to glorify and praise Him.

Sehemu ya tatu inaanza kwa kauli kwamba wale wanaobishana juu ya ufunuo wa Mwenyezi Mungu bila kutoa hoja yoyote ya kweli inayounga mkono wanachosema, wanasukumwa tu na tamaa ya kutaka ukuu. Lakini wao ni wadogo mno kiasi cha kutoweza kufikia huo ukuu. Kisha sura inaelekeza nyoyo za watu kutafakari ulimwengu mkubwa aliouumba Mwenyezi Mungu, ambao ni mkubwa zaidi kuliko binadamu wote. Ukumbusho huu huenda ukawasaidia wale wenye kiburi kutambua vizuri zaidi ukuu wa uumbaji wa Mwenyezi Mungu, badala ya kubaki vipofu mbele yake: “Hakika kuumbwa kwa mbingu na ardhi ni kukubwa zaidi kuliko kuumbwa kwa watu; lakini watu wengi hawajui” (Aya ya 57). Ukumbusho huu unawakumbusha pia kukaribia kwa Saa, na unawaelekeza kumwomba Mwenyezi Mungu, kwa kuwa Yeye huwajibu wanaomwomba.

The third part starts with a statement that those who dispute God’s revelations without providing any sound argument in support of what they say are only motivated by a quest for greatness. Yet they are too insignificant to attain this. The surah then directs people’s hearts to reflect on the great universe God has created, which is far greater than all mankind. This reminder may perhaps make those who are arrogant better appreciate the greatness of God’s creation, rather than remaining blind to it: “ The creation ofthe heavens and the earth is indeed greater than the creation of man; yet most people do not understands (Verse 57) It reminds them of the approach of the Last Hour and directs them to pray to God, for He responds to those who pray to Him.

Wale wanaochagua kubaki na kiburi bila shaka wataingia jehanamu katika udhalilifu mkubwa. Hapa sura inaonyesha baadhi ya ishara za ulimwengu wote ambazo wao hupuuza. Tunaona usiku ukionyeshwa kama wakati wa kupumzika, na mchana unapewa macho, wakati ardhi inaonyeshwa kama mahali pa kupumzikia na anga kama dari. Kuhusu nafsi zao wenyewe, sura pia inawakumbusha kutafakari umbo na sura nzuri alizowapa Mwenyezi Mungu. Inawaelekeza kumtii Mwenyezi Mungu kwa dhati. Inamwagiza Mtume ﷺ ajitenge na wanachoabudu, inatangaza amri ya Mungu kwake ya kukataa miungu yao na kujisalimisha kwa Mola wa viumbe vyote. Inalenga kuifanya mioyo yao iitikie zaidi kwa kutaja kwamba Mwenyezi Mungu, Muumba wa ulimwengu, ndiye aliyewaanzisha kwanza kutoka udongo, kisha kutoka tone la manii. Ni Yeye anayetoa uhai na kuleta mauti. Tena sura inamfanya Mtume ﷺ ashangae kwa wale wanaobishana kuhusu Mwenyezi Mungu, na kuwaonya dhidi ya adhabu ya Akhera, na inachora picha yenye nguvu sana ya adhabu hiyo: "Watakuja kujua hivi karibuni, pale watakapokuwa na minyororo na pingu shingoni mwao, watakapovutwa ndani ya maji yanayochemka, kisha wataunguzwa motoni." (Aya 70-72) Hakika, wale waliokuwa wakiwaabudu watakataa ibada yao, nao wenyewe watakanusha kwamba waliwahi kumwabudu yeyote. Mwishowe wanaingia jehanamu, kama wanavyoambiwa: "Ingieni sasa katika malango ya jehanamu, mtadumu humo. Ni uovu ulioje makao ya wenye kiburi." (Aya 76) Tena, kwa kuzingatia onyesho hili, Mtume ﷺ anaagizwa kuwa mvumilivu katika dhiki, na kutegemea utimizo wa ahadi ya Mwenyezi Mungu, iwe atabaki hai kuona baadhi ya yanayohusika katika ahadi hiyo, au atafariki kabla ya kutimizwa kwake. Ahadi hiyo itatimia wakati uliopangiwa.

Those who choose to remain arrogant will inevitably enter hell in complete humiliation. Here the surah portrays some of the universal signs that they ignore. We see the night portrayed as a time for rest and the day is given eyes, while the earth is shown as a resting place and the sky a canopy. In relation to themselves, the surah also reminds them to reflect on the pleasing shape and form God has given them. It directs them to submit to God with sincerity. It instructs the Prophet to distance himself from what they worship, declare Gods order to him to reject their deities and to submit to the Lord of all the worlds. It seeks to make their hearts more responsive by mentioning that God, the Creator of the universe, is the One who originated them from dust first, then , from a gamete. It is He who gives life and deals death. Again the surah makes the Prophet wonder at those who argue about God, warning them against punishment in the hereafter, and portrays a very powerful image of such punishment: “ They will certainly come to know when, with chains and shackles round their necks, they will be dragged into scalding water, and then burnt in the fire ofhell.” (Verses 70-72) Indeed, those whom they worshipped will disown their worship, while they themselves deny having ever worshipped anyone. Ultimately, they end up in hell, as they are told: “Enter now the gates of hell, where you shall abide. Evil indeed is the abode ofthe arrogant.” (Verse 76) Again, in the light of this scene the Prophet is instructed to remain patient in adversity, and to trust in the fulfilment of God s promise, whether he remains alive to see some of what this promise involves or he is made to die before its fulfilment. The promise will come true at the time appointed for it.

Sehemu ya nne na ya mwisho ya sura hii inahusiana kwa karibu na ya tatu. Mtume anapoelekezwa kusubiri kwa subira, anaambiwa kwamba Mwenyezi Mungu alituma Mitume wengi kabla yake: "Hakuna Mtume aliyeweza kuleta ishara isipokuwa kwa idhini ya Mwenyezi Mungu." (Aya ya 78) Hata hivyo, zipo ishara nyingi katika ulimwengu, na pia zipo ishara nyingi ambazo watu huzipuuza. Kwa mfano, ni nani aliyewafanya ng'ombe watumikie binadamu? Zaidi ya hayo, merikebu zinazowabeba juu ya bahari ni ishara wanayoiona kwa macho yao. Hatima ya jamii zilizotangulia pia inapaswa kuwa onyo kwao. Kisha sura inahitimishwa kwa taswira yenye nguvu na mdundo mkali, inayoonyesha jamii ya makafiri inayokabiliwa na uwezo wa Mwenyezi Mungu. Walitangaza imani yao, lakini ilikuwa imechelewa mno: "Lakini kuamini kwao baada ya kuona nguvu Zetu hakungeweza kuwanufaisha kabisa. Hii ndiyo njia ya Mwenyezi Mungu tangu zamani kwa viumbe Vyake. Hapo hapo makafiri wanapotea." (Aya ya 85) Huu ni mwisho unaofaa, unaoonyesha hatima ya wale wanaojivuna kwa kiburi.

The surah's fourth and final part is closely linked with its third. As the Prophet is directed to wait patiently, he is told that God sent many messengers before him: “No messenger could bring a sign except by God's leave.” (Verse 78) Still, there are many signs in the universe, and there are also plenty of signs that people ignore. Who, for example made cattle subservient to man? Furthermore, the ships that carry them on the sea are a sign they see with their eyes. The fate of past communities should also serve as an admonition to them. The surah then concludes with a powerful image coupled with strong rhythm, showing a community of unbelievers faced with God s might. They declared their belief, but it was too late: “But accepting the faith after they had seen Our might was not going to benefit them at all. This has always been God's way ofdealing with His creatures. There and then the unbelievers will be lost.” (Verse 85) This is a fitting ending, one that depicts the fate of those who are arrogant.