Ha. Mim. Kitabu hiki kimeteremshwa kutoka kwa Mungu, Mwenye Nguvu, Mjuzi wa yote, anayesamehe dhambi, anayekubali toba, ni mkali wa adhabu na ana fadhila zisizo na kikomo. Hakuna mungu isipokuwa Yeye. Marejeo ya mwisho ni kwake. (Aya 1—3)

Ha. Mim. The revelation of this book isfrom God, the Almighty, the All-Knowing, who forgives sins, accepts repentance, is severe in retribution and limitless in bounty. There is no deity other than Him. To Him is the ultimate return. (Verses 1—3)

Hii ni sura ya kwanza kati ya surah saba ambazo zote huanza kwa herufi mbili tofauti, Ha Mim. Katika mojawapo ya surah hizi saba, herufi tatu nyingine tofauti, (Ayn Sin Qaf, huongezwa baada ya zile mbili za mwanzo. Tumeshajadili kwa nini baadhi ya surah huanza kwa herufi hizi tofauti, hivyo kuonyesha kwamba Qur'an, ambayo haiwezi kuigwa, imeundwa kwa herufi kama hizo ambazo Waarabu walizitumia kila siku, kwa kusema na kwa maandishi, katika lugha yao.

This is the first of seven surahs that all begin with the two separate letters, Ha Mim. In one of these seven surahs three other separate letters, (Ayn Sin Qaf are added after the initial two. We have already discussed why some surahs start with these separate letters, thereby indicating that the Qur’an, which defies imitation, is composed of such letters which the Arabs used every day, orally and in writing, in their language.

Hili linafuatiwa na kauli ya ukweli ambao mara nyingi hutumiwa katika sura za Makka, kwa kuwa sura hizi zinalenga kuthibitisha imani: ukweli wa Ufunuo.

This is followed by a statement of a fact that is frequently used in Makkan surahs given these seek to establish faith: the fact of revelation:

"Ufunuo wa kitabu hiki unatoka kwa Mwenyezi Mungu, Mwenye nguvu, Mwenye hekima yote." (Aya ya 2) Kisha zinatajwa baadhi ya sifa za Mwenyezi Mungu. Hizi zinahusiana moja kwa moja na mada ya sura hii na masuala inayoyajadili.

“ The revelation ofthis book isfrom God, the Almighty, the All-Knowing.” (Verse 2) A number of God’s attributes are then stated. These are directly relevant to the subject matter of the surah and the issues it discusses:

"Mwenye Nguvu, Mjuzi wa yote, anayesamehe dhambi, anayekubali toba, mkali wa adhabu na mwenye neema isiyo na kikomo. Hakuna Mungu isipokuwa Yeye. Kwake ndiko marejeo ya mwisho" (Aya 2-3). Kwa kweli masuala yote ambayo sura hii inayagusa yanahusiana na sifa hizi za Mungu, zilizotajwa kwa nguvu mwanzoni ili kutoa taswira kwamba zimethibitika vizuri na kwa uthabiti.

“ the Almighty, the All-Knowing, who forgives sins, accepts repentance, is severe in retribution and limitless in bounty. There is no deity other than Him. To Him is the ultimate return(Verses 2-3) In fact ail the issues the surah raises relate to these attributes of God, powerfully stated at the outset to give an impression that they are well and firmly established.

Hakuna anayebishana kuhusu ufunuo wa Mungu isipokuwa makafiri. Usikudanganye kwamba wanaonekana kuwa na uwezo wa kufanya wapendavyo duniani. Kabla ya wakati wao, watu wa Nuhu walikataa haki, kama walivyofanya makundi na jamii nyingine baada yao. Kila jamii kati ya hizi ilipanga njama dhidi ya mjumbe aliyetumwa kwao, wakikusudia kumkamata. Kwa hoja za uongo walijitahidi kuipinga haki, lakini nikawaadhibu. Adhabu yangu ilikuwa kubwa jinsi gani! Hivyo ndivyo neno la Mola wako litakavyotimia dhidi ya makafiri: watakuwa wakaazi wa moto wa jahannamu. (Aya 4-6)

None but the unbelievers dispute God's revelations. Let it not deceive you that they seem to be able to do as they please on earth. Before their time the people ofNoah rejected the truth, as did other groups and communities after them. Each of these communities schemed against the messenger sent to them, aiming to lay their hands on him. With false argument they strove to refute the truth, but then I took them to task. How awesome was My punishment! Thus your Lord's word shall come true against the unbelievers: they will be the dwellers in the fire ofhell. (Verses 4-6)

Baada ya kuthibitisha ukweli wa umoja wa Mungu na sifa zake za Kiungu, sura inafafanua kwamba ukweli huu unakubaliwa na viumbe vyote. Kwa hakika, umejikita imara katika maumbile yao na unahusiana moja kwa moja na maumbile ya ulimwengu. Viumbe vyote vimeshawishika kikamilifu na dalili zinazoshuhudia umoja wa Mungu. Ni makafiri pekee wanaopinga dalili hizi na kubishana kuhusu wahyi wa Mungu. Kwa hiyo wao ni kundi la pekee, wakichagua kupingana na ulimwengu na viumbe wengine wote waliomo ndani yake.

Having established the truth of Gods oneness and His Divine attributes, the surah makes clear that this truth is accepted by all creatures. It is, in fact, firmly rooted in their nature and directly related to the nature of the universe. All creation is entirely convinced by the signs testifying to God’s oneness. Only the unbelievers dispute these signs and argue about God’s revelations. Thus they are a class apart, choosing to be at odds with the universe and all other creatures within it.

"Hakuna anayebishana kuhusu ufunuo wa Mwenyezi Mungu isipokuwa makafiri." (Aya ya 4)

“None but the unbelievers dispute God's revelations.” (Verse 4)

Katika upana wote wa ulimwengu, ni makafiri pekee wanaosimama peke yao, wakipotoka na njia ya kweli. Ikilinganishwa na ulimwengu wote, wao ni dhaifu na si wa maana zaidi kuliko chungu akilinganishwa na sayari ya dunia. Wanapojitenga wakibishana juu ya ufunuo wa Mungu na kukataa ishara zake, sehemu nyingine ya ulimwengu yote inatangaza kumkubali Yeye na kutambua umoja wake, ikipata nguvu zake kutoka kwake.

Throughout the entire expanse of the universe, only the unbelievers stand apart, deviating from the true path. In relation to the whole universe, they are weaker and less significant than an ant in relation to planet earth. When they stand on their own disputing God’s revelations and denying His signs, the rest of the universe declares its acceptance of Him and recognizes His oneness, deriving its strength from Him.

Jambo muhimu ni kwamba hata malaika wanaobeba kiti cha enzi cha Mwenyezi Mungu na wale wanaokizunguka, ambao ni miongoni mwa vikosi vya imani katika ulimwengu, huwakumbuka waumini miongoni mwa wanadamu, huwataja mbele ya Mwenyezi Mungu na kuomba msamaha wao. Pia humwomba Yeye atimize ahadi yake kwa wale waumini ambao malaika wanashiriki nao uhusiano wa imani.

A relevant point is that even the angels carrying God’s throne and those surrounding it, who rank among the forces of faith in the universe, remember the believers among human beings, mention them in God’s presence and pray for their forgiveness. They also pray to Him for the fulfilment of His promise to those believers with whom the angels share their bond of faith:

Wale wanaobeba Kiti cha Enzi na wale waliouzunguka wanamtukuza Mola wao kwa utukufu na sifa zisizo na mwisho, wanamwamini, na wanaomba msamaha kwa waumini wote: "Mola wetu! Wewe unakumbatia kila kitu kwa rehema na elimu Yako. Basi wasamehe wale wanaotubia kwako 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 wazazi wao, wake zao na watoto wao. Wewe pekee ndiye Mwenye nguvu, Mwenye hekima. Wakinge na kila ovu. Yeyote Utakayemkinga na ovu siku hiyo, basi bila shaka Utakuwa umemrehemu. Hilo ndilo ushindi mkubwa'" (Aya 7-9)

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 ofall 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 blazing fire. 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 shieldfrom evil, You shall have graced with mercy. That will be the supreme triumph' (Verses 7-9)

Hatujui kiti hiki ni nini: hatuna picha yake. Wala hatujui wale waliopewa jukumu la kukibeba wanavyokibeba, wala wengine wanavyokuwepo kukizunguka. Ni bure kujaribu kubainisha jambo lililo nje ya uwezo wa ufahamu au utambuzi wa binadamu. Hakuna faida yoyote itakayopatikana kwa kubishana juu ya jambo ambalo Mwenyezi Mungu hajatoa taarifa juu yake. Kinachoweza kusemwa kuhusu jambo hili ni kwamba kuna baadhi ya viumbe walio karibu na Mwenyezi Mungu, na hawa 'wanamtukuza Mola wao kwa utukufu usio na kikomo na kumsifu, na wanamwamini Yeye.' Ingawa ukweli kwamba wao ni waumini unaweza kuchukuliwa kuwa jambo la hakika, hili limetajwa mahsusi katika Qur'an ili kusisitiza uhusiano kati yao na waumini wa kibinadamu. Baada ya kumtukuza Mwenyezi Mungu kwa utukufu usio na kikomo, watumishi hawa wa Mwenyezi Mungu wanawaombea waumini miongoni mwa wanadamu, wakiomba kile kilicho bora zaidi ambacho muumini mmoja anaweza kumwombea mwenzake.

Wakati wabebaji wa Arshi na wale wanaouzunguka wanapomwomba Mwenyezi Mungu wakiomba neema yake iwashukie waumini, ndugu zao katika imani, makafiri wanajikuta katika hali tofauti kabisa. Kila mmoja anatafuta msaada, lakini hakuna anayepatikana. Kwa kweli, mafungamano yote na viumbe vyote na vitu vyote katika ulimwengu yamekatika. Wanaitwa ili wasikilize lawama zinazotoka pande zote. Kiburi walichokionyesha katika maisha haya sasa kinageuka kuwa udhalilifu. Wanataka kuweka matumaini yao kwa mtu fulani, lakini hakuna aliyepo wa kutia moyo matumaini yao:

As the carriers of the throne and those surrounding it address their prayer to God appealing for His grace to be bestowed on believers, their brethren in faith, the unbelievers find themselves in a totally different capacity. Everyone is looking for support, but none is to be found. In fact all bonds with all beings and things in the universe are severed. They are called out so that they can listen to the rebuke coming from all directions. The arrogance they demonstrated in this life is turned now into humiliation. They want to place their hopes in someone, but none is available to encourage their hopes:

Wasiokuamini wataambiwa: "Hakika chukizo la Mwenyezi Mungu kwenu ni kubwa zaidi kuliko chukizo lenu kwa nafsi zenu wenyewe, wakati mlipoitwa kwenye imani mkaikataa." Watasema: "Mola wetu Mlezi! Umetufanya kufa mara mbili na kutufanya kuwa hai mara mbili. Sasa tumekiri dhambi zetu; je, kuna njia yoyote ya kutoka?" [Wataambiwa]: "Hii ni kwa sababu, Mwenyezi Mungu peke yake alipoombwa, mlikataa ukweli huu; lakini Alipowekewa washirika, mliwaamini wao! Hukumu yote ni ya Mwenyezi Mungu, Aliye Juu, Mkuu kabisa." (Aya ya 10–12)

The unbelievers will be addressed: Indeed, greater than your present loathing ofyourselves is God's loathing ofyou when you were called to the faith and you rejected it.’ They will say: "Our Lord! Twice have You caused us to die, just as twice You have brought us to life! Now that we have recognized our sins, is there any way out?' [They will be told]: 'This is all because when God alone was invoked, you denied this truth; whereas, when partners were associated with Him, you believed in them! All judgement rests with God, the Exalted, the Supreme One] (Verses 10—12)

Maandishi ya Kiarabu yanatumia neno kali zaidi la chuki. Wanasikia wakiitwa kutoka pande zote na wanaambiwa kwamba chuki ya Mwenyezi Mungu juu yao, walipoitwa kuamini na bado wakakataa imani, ni kubwa zaidi kuliko chuki yao wenyewe dhidi ya nafsi zao wanapotambua walikojiingiza. Wanatambua jinsi hatima yao ingeweza kuwa tofauti, lingekuwa wameitikia wito wa imani kabla haijachelewa. Ukumbusho huu unawauma sana katika hali yao mpya ngumu.

The Arabic text uses the strongest word for hate. We see them addressed from all corners and told that God’s loathing of them when they were called upon to believe and still rejected the faith is far stronger than their feelings of hate towards themselves as they realize to what end they have brought themselves. They realize how different their fate could have been, had they responded to the call to faith before it was too late. This reminder is exceptionally painful for them in their newly difficult situation.

Sura sasa inagusia mojawapo ya sifa za Mungu zinazolingana na hadhi yake tukufu. Waumini wanaagizwa kumwelekezea dua zao yeye peke yake, bila kumshirikisha na chochote, na kuwa wakweli katika ibada yao kwake yeye peke yake. Sura pia inatajia ukweli wa wahyi ili kutoa onyo kuhusu siku ambayo wanadamu wote watakusanywa kwa ajili ya hukumu, malipo na adhabu. Siku hiyo, utawala wote na mamlaka yote ni ya Mungu peke yake:

The surah now dwells on one of Gods attributes that fits with His exalted position. The believers are instructed to address their prayers to Him, associating no partners with Him and to be sincere in their devotion to Him alone. The surah also refers to the fact of revelation so as to give a warning about the day when all mankind will be brought together for judgement, reward and punishment. On that day, all dominion and sovereignty belong to God alone:

Yeye ndiye anayekuonyesha ishara zake, na anateremsha riziki kutoka mbinguni kwa ajili yenu. Lakini hakumbuki isipokuwa yule anayerejea kwa Mwenyezi Mungu. Basi mwombeni Mwenyezi Mungu, mkimtakasia dini yenu, ijapokuwa wakafiri wanachukia. Yeye ni Mwenye daraja la juu, Mwenye Kiti cha Enzi. Kwa amri yake huteremsha Wahyi kwa amtakaye miongoni mwa waja wake, ili aonye Siku ya kukutana. Siku watakapotokeza, hakuna chochote kwao kilichofichika kwa Mwenyezi Mungu. Ufalme ni wa nani leo? Ni wa Mwenyezi Mungu, Mmoja, Mwenye kushinda. Leo kila nafsi italipwa kwa iliyoichuma. Hakuna dhulma leo. Hakika Mwenyezi Mungu ni Mwepesi wa kuhesabu. (Aya 13-17)

He it is who shows you His signs and sends down sustenance from the sky for you. Yet only those who turn to God will take heed. Pray to God, then, sincere in your faith in Him alone, however hateful this may be to the unbelievers. High above all orders [of being] is He, the Lord of the Throne. By His own will does He bestow revelation on whomever He wills of His servants, so as to warn of the Day when all shall meet Him; the Day when they shall come forth, with nothing about them concealed from God. With whom does sovereignty rest today? With God, the One who holds absolute sway over all that exists. This day each soul will be requited for what it has earned: no injustice will be done today. God is swift in reckoning. (Verses 13-17)

"Yeye ndiye anayekuonyesheni ishara zake?" (Aya ya 13) Ishara za Mwenyezi Mungu huonekana katika kila kitu kilichomo ulimwenguni: katika miili mikubwa kama jua na sayari, na pia katika matukio makubwa kama mchana na usiku, mvua, radi na umeme. Vilevile, huonekana katika vitu vidogo sana kama atomu, seli, jani au ua. Katika kila kimoja kati ya hivi kuna ishara ya kimuujiza ambayo huonekana wazi pale mwanadamu anapojaribu kuiiga, achilia mbali kuianzisha. Mwanadamu hawezi kamwe kuiga kikamilifu hata kitu kidogo kabisa alichokiumba Mwenyezi Mungu.

“ He it is who shows you His signs?' (Verse 13) God s signs are seen in everything in the universe: in the great bodies such as the sun and the planets, and also in the great phenomena such as the day and night, rain, thunder and lightning. Likewise, they are seen in minute things such as the atom, cell, leaf or flower. In each of these there is a miraculous sign which appears clearly when man tries to imitate it, let alone initiate it. Never can man fully imitate even the simplest little thing God has created.