Katika sehemu hii, sura inazungumzia wanafiki. Kwanza inaeleza mtazamo wao kwa Mtume ﷺ na kwa Qur'ani, kisha mtazamo wao kwa kupigana vita ambavyo Mungu anawataka Waislamu wavifanye katika kutumikia njia Yake. Mwishowe, inafichua mtazamo wao kwa Mayahudi na njama zao pamoja nao dhidi ya Uislamu na jamii ya Waislamu.

In this passage the surah speaks about the hypocrites. In the first instance it depicts their attitude towards the Prophet and the Qur’an, then their attitude to fighting which God requires Muslims to undertake in the service of His cause. Finally, it reveals their attitude towards the Jews and their conspiring with them against Islam and the Muslim community.

Inapaswa kukumbukwa kwamba unafiki ulianza kwa mara ya kwanza huko Madinah. Haukuwepo Makkah, kwani hali iliyokuwepo huko ilifanya usiwe wa lazima kabisa. Huko Makkah, Waislamu walikuwa wakiteswa, na hakuna aliyehitaji kuwabembeleza. Mwenyezi Mungu alipowezesha Uislamu kupata msaada kwa kukubaliwa na makabila mawili ya Madinah, Aws na Khazraj, imani hiyo mpya ilienea katika koo na familia zote. Kulikuwa na Waislamu katika kila nyumba mjini Madinah. Hata hivyo, baadhi yao walichukia kuona Mtume ﷺ na Uislamu vikipata nguvu, lakini hawakuthubutu kuonyesha uadui wao hadharani.

It should be remembered that hypocrisy first started in Madlnah. It did not exist in Makkah, as the situation there made it totally unnecessary. In Makkah, the Muslims suffered persecution and no one needed to appease them. When God facilitated support for Islam with its acceptance by the two tribes of Madinah, the Aws and the Khazraj, the new faith spread into all clans and families. There were Muslims in every home in Madinah. Some, however, hated to see the Prophet and Islam gaining power but dared not make their hostility public.

Kwa hiyo, walijifanya Waislamu ilhali kwa kweli mioyo yao ilijaa chuki dhidi ya Uislamu. Pia walitamani mabaya yampate Mtume ﷺ na Maswahaba zake. Kiongozi wao alikuwa ‘Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul.

Therefore, they pretended to be Muslim when in reality they were full of hatred for Islam. They were also keen for ill fortune to befall the Prophet and his Companions. Their chief was ‘Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul.

Jumuiya ya Kiyahudi pia iliishi Madina. Wayahudi walikuwa na nguvu za kijeshi na kiuchumi pamoja na nguvu ya kupanga mambo wakati Mtume ﷺ alipokaa Madina. Pia walimchukia Mtume ﷺ, dini yake na wafuasi wake. Uwepo wa Wayahudi wa aina hii uliwapa moyo wanafiki: kwa kweli, makundi hayo mawili yaliungana katika chuki yao kwa Uislamu na Waislamu. Matokeo yake, walifanya njama na kutumia kila fursa kudhoofisha jumuiya ya Waislamu. Jumuiya ya Waislamu ilipokumbwa na hali ngumu, wapinzani wao walionyesha uadui wao waziwazi zaidi; na Waislamu walipofurahia nyakati njema, walitumia vitendo vya siri na njama ovu. Hadi katikati ya kipindi cha kukaa kwa Mtume ﷺ Madina, makundi haya mawili yaliwakilisha hatari halisi kwa Uislamu na jumuiya ya Waislamu.

Miongoni mwao kuna wanaokusikiliza, lakini mara tu wanapotoka mbele yako, huwaambia wale waliopewa elimu kwa dharau: "Amesema nini hivi punde?" Hawa ndio ambao Mwenyezi Mungu ameziziba nyoyo zao, na wanaofuata matamanio yao.

Some of them listen to you, but no sooner do they leave your presence than they [scornfully] say to those endowed with knowledge: 'What is it that he said just now?’ Such are the ones whose hearts God has sealed, and who follow their desires. (Verse 16)

Neno, 'baadhi yao', linaweza kurejelea makafiri waliokuwa mada ya mjadala katika aya ya kwanza ya sura. Katika hali hii, wanafiki wanachukuliwa kuwa kundi la makafiri, ingawa wanaficha uhalisia wao. Kwa maana hii, sura inarejelea hadhi yao halisi. Kwa upande mwingine, neno hilo linaweza kurejelea Waislamu, kwa kuzingatia kwamba wanafiki walijichanganya nao, wakijifanya kuwa wa jumuiya yao. Kwa hakika walitendewa kama Waislamu, kwa kuwa Uislamu unatuamuru kuwashughulikia watu kwa kuzingatia kile wanachodai kuwa. Hata hivyo, katika hali zote mbili, ni wanafiki, kama maelezo yao katika sura na matendo yao yanavyoonyesha.

The phrase, 'some of them , may refer to the unbelievers who were the subject of discussion in the first passage of the surah. In this case, the hypocrites are considered as a group of unbelievers, although they conceal their reality. In this sense, the surah is referring to their true status. On the other hand, the phrase may refer to the Muslims, considering that the hypocrites were integrated with them, pretending to belong to their community. They were indeed treated as Muslims, as Islam requires us to deal with people on the basis of what they profess to be. In either case, however, they are hypocrites as their description in the surah and their deeds indicate.

Swali la wanafiki, baada ya kumsikiliza Mtume, linaonyesha jinsi walivyojifanya tu kuwa wanasikiliza alichokuwa akisema wakati akili zao hazikuwa makini, zikiwa zimeshughulishwa na mambo mengine, au kwa kweli zilikuwa zimefungwa kabisa. Pia linadokeza dhihaka iliyofichika. Kwa kuwa wanauliza swali lao kwa watu wenye elimu wakiuliza maana ya walichosikia, wanadokeza kwamba alichosema Muhammad hakieleweki. Ingawa walikuwa wamemsikiliza, bado hawakuweza kuelewa maana yake. Zaidi ya hayo, linadokeza dhihaka kwa wale wenye elimu waliosikiliza kwa makini kila alichosema Mtume, wakijitahidi kuelewa kikamilifu na kukihifadhi, kama ilivyokuwa desturi ya Maswahaba wa Mtume. Kwa njia hii, kwa dhihaka waziwazi au iliyofichika, wanafiki hawa waliwaomba warudie maneno ya Mtume ﷺ. Katika uwezekano wote huu tunaona uovu, chuki kubwa na uadui: “Hao ndio ambao Mwenyezi Mungu ameyatia muhuri mioyo yao, nao wanafuata matamanio yao.” 16)

The hypocrites’ question, after they had listened to the Prophet, shows how they only pretended to pay attention to what he was saying when their minds were inattentive, preoccupied with other things, or rather were sealed altogether. It also suggests an implicit ridicule. Since they address their question to people endowed with knowledge asking about the meaning of what they heard, they imply that what Muhammad said was incomprehensible. Despite having paid attention to it, they still could not understand its meaning. It further implies ridicule of those knowledgeable people who attended carefully to everything the Prophet said, making an effort to understand it fully and memorize it, as the Prophets Companions used to do. In this way, using blatant or subtle mockery, these hypocrites asked them to repeat the Prophet s words. In all these possibilities we see wickedness, deep resentment and hatred: “Such are the ones whose hearts God has sealed, and who follow their desires.” 16)

Sura hii inaeleza mwenendo wa wanafiki kuhusu kupigana vita kwa ajili ya dini ya Mungu, na woga wao mkubwa pale vita vinapowekwa kuwa wajibu juu ya Waislamu. Inaweka wazi hisia zao halisi kuhusu wazo zima la kupigana, na inaeleza yatakayowapata iwapo wataendelea na unafiki. Inawaonya kwamba wanapaswa kusafisha mioyo yao na unafiki, kuwa wakweli katika kumjibu Mungu, na kujiunga na safu za Waislamu kwa nia safi.

The surah describes the attitude of the hypocrites to fighting for Gods cause and their utter cowardice when it is made obligatory upon Muslims. It exposes their true feelings about the whole idea of fighting, and explains what awaits them if they persist with hypocrisy. It warns them that they have to purge their hearts of hypocrisy, be true in their response to God and join the Muslim ranks with sincerity of purpose:

Waumini husema: 'Ingekuwa imeteremshwa sura!' * Lakini sura ya wazi kabisa inapoteremshwa, na vita vikitajwa ndani yake, unawaona wale walio na ugonjwa moyoni wakikutazama kama mtu aliye karibu kuzimia kwa hofu ya kifo. Ni bora zaidi kwao kutii na kusema neno linalofaa. Zaidi ya hayo, vita vinapoamuliwa, ni bora kwao wawe waaminifu kwa Mwenyezi Mungu. Je, ukigeuka sasa, unatarajiwa kueneza uharibifu duniani na kuvunja uhusiano wa undugu? Hawa ndio ambao Mwenyezi Mungu amewakataa, akiwafanya viziwi na vipofu. Je, hawatafakari Qur'ani? Au kuna kufuli juu ya mioyo yao? (Aya 20-24)

The believers say: 'Would that a surah had been revealed. * Yet when a surah of clear import is revealed, and fighting is mentioned in it, you see those who are sick at heart staring at you like one who is about to faint for fear of death. Far better for them would be obedience and an appropriate word. Moreover, when fighting is decided upon, it is better for them to be true to God. If you turn away now, is it to be expected of you that you will spread corruption in the land and break your ties of kinship? It is such as these whom God rejects, leaving them deaf and blind. Will they not, then, try to understand the Quran? Or are there locks on their hearts? Verses 20-24)

Waumini wanaonyesha matamanio yao ya kuteremshwa kwa sura mpya kwa sababu wanampenda Qur'an na wanaona katika kila sehemu yake kitu kinachowavutia na kuwapasha moyo joto. Vinginevyo, usemi huu unaweza kuashiria hamu yao ya kubainishiwa baadhi ya vipengele vya jihadi na vita. Kwa hiyo wanasema: “Laiti sura ingeteremshwa.” (Aya ya 20)

The believers express their wishes for a new surah to be revealed because they love the Qur’an and find in every part of it something that appeals to them and warms their hearts. Alternatively, this expression may be indicative of their desire to have certain aspects of jihad and fighting outlined to them. Therefore they say: “Would that a surah had been revealed.” (Verse 20)

Sura kisha inaonyesha sababu iliyowafanya wanafiki wageuke mbali na imani baada ya kuwa karibu nayo. Tunajifunza kwamba hii ilitokana na kula njama kwao na Mayahudi wa Madina, na kuwaahidi msaada na uungaji mkono.

The surah then shows the reason that made the hypocrites turn away from faith after having come close to it. We learn that this was because they conspired with the Jews of Madinah and promised them help and support:

Wale wanaogeuka nyuma baada ya kupewa uongofu huwa wamedanganywa na Shetani, ambaye huwajaza matumaini ya uongo. Hiyo ni kwa sababu wao huwaambia wale wanaochukia kila kitu ambacho Mwenyezi Mungu amekiteremsha, 'Tutawatii katika baadhi ya mambo,' lakini Mwenyezi Mungu anajua njama zao za siri.

Those who turn their backs after guidance has been given to them are seduced by Satan who fills them with false hopes. That is because they say to those who abhor all that God has revealed, 'We will obey you in some matters, ’ but God knows all their secret schemes.

(Aya 25-26)

(Verses 25-26)

Aya hii ya kwanza kati ya hizi mbili inatoa picha ya kimwili ya wanafiki wanaoacha uongozi wa Mwenyezi Mungu baada ya kuujua. Ni picha inayoonyesha wakigeuza migongo yao na kuondoka. Inaeleza pia kilicho nyuma ya haya yote: ni Shetani anayewanong'oneza na kuwaletea majaribu ya kila aina. Hivyo tunaona harakati zao kama zilivyo kwa uhalisia na kwa mwonekano. Kisha sura inatueleza kwa nini Shetani ana nguvu kubwa juu yao hata kuwafanya wageuke kutoka ukweli baada ya kuujua: "Hiyo ni kwa sababu wanawaambia wale wanaochukia yale aliyoteremsha Mwenyezi Mungu, 'Tutakuwa tukikutii katika baadhi ya mambo'" (Aya ya 26).

The first of these two verses gives a physical image of the hypocrites abandoning Divine guidance after they came to know it. It is an image which shows them turning their backs and going away. It tells of what lies behind all this: it is Satan whispering to them and delivering all manner of temptations. Thus we see their movement for what it is in reality and appearance. The surah then tells us why Satan has such power over them, making them turn their backs on the truth after they knew it: “ That is because they say to those who abhor all that God has revealed, 'We will obey you in some matters'(Verse 26)

Wayahudi wa Madina ndio waliokuwa wa kwanza kuchukia yale aliyoyateremsha Mwenyezi Mungu.

The Jews of Madinah were the first to hate what God revealed.

Walitarajia kwamba ujumbe wa mwisho wa Mungu utapewa wao wenyewe, na kwamba mjumbe wa mwisho atachaguliwa miongoni mwa watu wao wenyewe. Walikuwa wakiwaambia Waarabu wapagani kuhusu ujumbe huo unaotarajiwa, na kwamba wakati wake ulikuwa karibu, wakisema kwamba nabii mpya atawaongoza na kuhakikisha kwamba watakuwa na madaraka, na kwamba watarudisha ufalme wao.

Mwishoni mwa kifungu hiki, wanaonywa kwamba Mungu anaweza kuamua kuwafichua mbele ya Mtume ﷺ na Waislamu. Ndipo watajulikana kwa wote kwa vile walivyo kweli: wanafiki wanaoishi miongoni mwa Waislamu, wakijifanya ni wao, lakini wakila njama dhidi yao.

At the end of this passage, they are warned that God may decide to expose them to the Prophet and the Muslims. They will then be known to all for what they really are: hypocrites living among Muslims, pretending to belong to them but conspiring against them:

Je, wale ambao nyoyo zao ni wagonjwa wanadhani kwamba Mungu hatafichua kamwe uovu wao? Lau tungelitaka, tungaliweza kukuonyesha wao, nawe ungaliwatambua kwa alama zao; lakini hakika utawatambua kwa mtindo wa maneno yao. Mungu anajua yote mnayoyafanya. Hakika tutakujaribuni ili kujua ni nani miongoni mwenu wanaojitahidi na kusimama imara; na tutazijaribu habari zenu.

Do those who are sick at heart assume that God will never bring their malice to light? Had We so willed, We could have pointed them out to you, and you would have recognized them by their marks; but you will most certainly recognize them by the tone of their speech. God knows all that you people do. Most certainly We shall put you to the proof to see who of you strive hard and remain firm; and We shall test the truth of your assertions. verses 29-31)

Munafiki walidhani kwamba walikuwa mahiri katika kuficha hali yao halisi, wakiwafanya Waislamu wafikiri kwamba walikuwa kama wao, waumini wa kweli. Sura hiyo inaonyesha jinsi fikra zao zilivyo za kijinga, na inawaonya kwa fedheha itakayofichua chuki zao zote kwa Waislamu. Mungu anamwambia Mtume wake: "Lau tungetaka, tungekuonyesha wao, nawe ungewatambua kwa alama zao" (Aya ya 30) ﷺ. Hii ina maana kwamba Mungu akitaka, angeweza kumwonyesha Mtume ﷺ wao kwa majina na nafasi zao, ili aweze kuwatambua kwa sura zao. Aya hii iliteremshwa kabla Mungu hajawajulisha baadhi yao kwa majina. Hata hivyo, namna wanavyosema, upotoshaji wao wa maneno na maana, na namna wanavyozungumza nawe, vinakuambia unafiki wao: "lakini hakika utawatambua kwa sauti ya maneno yao" (Aya ya 30). Kisha kunaongezwa kauli inayosisitiza ujuzi wa Mungu wa kila tendo na nia zake: "Mungu anajua yote mnayoyafanya" (Aya ya 30). Hakuna kitu kinachotoka nje ya ujuzi wake kamili.

The hypocrites thought that they were adept in hiding their reality, making the Muslims think they were like them, true believers. The surah shows how naive their thinking is and threatens them with an exposure that makes all their grudges known to the Muslims. God says to His messenger: “Had We so willed. We could have pointed them out to you, and you would have recognized them by their marks” (Verse 30) This means that if God so wishes, He could point them out to the Prophet by name and position so he can recognize them from their features. This verse was revealed before God actually made some of them known to him by name. Nevertheless, the way they speak and their twisting of words and meanings, and the manner in which they address you tells you of their hypocrisy: “but you will most certainly recognize them by the tone of their speech.” (Verse 30) A comment is then added emphasizing Gods knowledge of every deed and its motives: “ God knows all that you people do” (Verse 30) Nothing escapes His perfect knowledge.