Sehemu ya kwanza ilizungumzia washirikina waliopinga ujumbe wa Uislamu, ikitaja kisa cha watu wa mji waliowakataa wajumbe wao watatu, na jinsi ilivyowachukua mlipuko mmoja tu kuwaangusha chini wakiwa wamekufa. Katika sehemu hii ya sasa, sūrah inazungumzia kwa ujumla watu wote wanaopinga kila dini ya Mwenyezi Mungu. Inaonyesha wanadamu wakipotea katika upotevu kupitia vizazi mbalimbali. Inawaita kwa huzuni watu wote wazingatie yaliyowapata jamii zilizotangulia kabla yao, ambazo hazitarejea hadi Siku ya Kiyama, siku ambayo "wote watakuja kwetu kuhudhuria mbele yetu." (Aya ya 32)

The first passage spoke about the idolaters who opposed the message of Islam and cited the case of the people of the township who rejected their three messengers and how it took no more than one blast for them to fall down lifeless. In the present passage the sūrah speaks generally of all people who oppose every divine religion. It shows mankind straying in error across the generations. It calls with sorrow on all people to take heed of what happened to earlier communities who passed before them and who will not return until the Day of Resurrection, when “they all will be brought before Us.” (Verse 32)

Sura hii kisha inawasilisha alama kadhaa za ulimwengu wote ambazo watu huziona kila wakati bila kuzingatia ujumbe unaozibeba. Alama hizo ziko ndani yao wenyewe na kote kuwazunguka, huku nyingine zimepita katika historia, lakini bado hawazingatii, na wanapokumbushwa, wanachagua kutokukumbuka: “Kila alama inayowajia kutoka kwa Mola wao, hawaipuuzi.” (Aya ya 46) Kwa hakika, wanaharakisha adhabu yao wenyewe, wakiamini kwamba haitatokea kamwe: “Pia wanauliza:

The sūrah then presents a number of universal signs which people see constantly without paying any attention to the message they impart. These signs are within themselves and all around them, while others have passed into history, yet still they pay no heed, and when they are reminded, they choose not to remember: “Every single sign that comes to them from their Lord do they ignore.” (Verse 46) Indeed, they hasten their own punishment, believing that it will never happen: “They also ask:

"Ahadi hii itatimizwa lini, ikiwa unachosema ni kweli?" (Aya ya 48)

When will this promise be fulfilled, if what you say be true?” (Verse 48)

Kifungu hicho pia kinawasilisha tukio refu la Siku ya Kiyama, kinachoonyesha hatima ambayo wao wanaharakisha. Hili linafanywa kwa namna ambayo inaonekana kama kwamba linatokea mbele ya macho yao wenyewe.

The passage also presents a long scene from the Day of Judgement, showing the fate that they hasten. This is done in such a way that it appears to happen before their very eyes.

Ole kwa wanadamu! Kila mjumbe anapowajia, huwadhihaki.

Alas for mankind! Whenever a messenger comes to them, they level ridicule on him.

Je, hawaoni ni vizazi vingapi tumeviangamiza kabla yao, kwamba hawatarejea kwao? Na hakika wote watakusanywa mbele Yetu.

Are they not aware of how many a generation We have destroyed before them, and that they [who have perished] will never return to them? Yet, they all will be brought before Us. (Verses 30-32)

Sentensi ya kwanza inaonyesha mwitikio wa huzuni kwa hali ya kusikitisha. Hali hiyo haiwezi kubadilishwa, ingawa huzuni na maumivu kuhusu hali hiyo vinaweza kuonyeshwa. Mwenyezi Mungu Mtukufu Mwenyewe hapatwi na hisia kama hizo, lakini Anasema kwamba hali ambayo watu hawa wamo inastahili mwitikio kama huo kutoka kwa wengine. Hali yao ni ya kukatisha tamaa inayoleta taabu kubwa.

The first phrase expresses reaction to a sorrowful situation. This situation cannot be changed though sorrow and pain about it can be expressed. God Almighty does not experience such a feeling Himself, but He states that the situation these people are in deserves such reaction by others. Theirs is a depressing condition that leads to great misery.

"Ole kwa wanadamu!" Wanapewa nafasi ya kujiokoa, lakini wanageuka na kuikataa. Hii ni licha ya kuona jinsi jumuiya zilizowatangulia zilivyoangamia, lakini hawanufaiki chochote kwa mafunzo yanayowasilishwa. Mungu anafungua milango mipana ya rehema yake kwao, mara kwa mara, kwa kuwatuma wajumbe, lakini wao wanaipuuza rehema yake na kuenenda kwa kiburi na tabia mbaya: "Kila mjumbe anapowajia, wao humfanyia dhihaka. Je, hawajui ni karne ngapi tumeziangamiza kabla yao, na kwamba [waliokwisha angamia] hawatarudi kwao kamwe?" (Aya 30-31) Ukweli kwamba jumuiya zilizotangulia, kwa vizazi visivyohesabika, ziliangamia unapaswa kuwa somo wazi kwa yeyote anayetafakari. Watu hata hivyo hawazingatii, ingawa wanatambua kwamba nao watakutana na mwisho uleule. Ni nini kingeleta huzuni kubwa zaidi?

“Alas for mankind!” They are offered a chance to save themselves but they turn away. This even though they see how earlier communities perished, yet they benefit nothing by the lessons they present. God opens wide the doors of His mercy to them, time after time, as He sends them messengers, but they ignore His mercy and behave with insolence and ill manners: “Whenever a messenger comes to them, they level ridicule on him. Are they not aware of how many a generation We have destroyed before them, and that they [who have perished] will never return to them?” (Verses 30-31) The fact that earlier communities, over countless generations, perished should provide a clear lesson to anyone who reflects. People, however, do not pay heed, even though they realize that they are going to meet the same end. What could invite greater sorrow?

Kuna ishara kwao katika ardhi iliyokufa: Tunaihuisha na kutoa humo nafaka wanayokula. Tunaweka humo bustani za mitende na mizabibu, na tunafanya chemchemi zibubujike humo, ili wale matunda yake. Haikuwa mikono yao ndiyo iliyofanya haya yote. Je, basi, hawatashukuru? Mtakatifu ametukuka ni Yeye aliyeumba vitu vyote kwa jozi: kile ardhi inachokitoa, nafsi zao wenyewe, na viumbe vingine ambavyo hawavijui.

There is a sign for them in the lifeless earth: We give it life and produce out of it grain for them to eat. We place in it gardens of date palms and grapes, and cause springs to gush out of it, so that they may eat of its fruit. It was not their own hands that made all this. Will they, then, not give thanks? Limitless in His glory is He who created all things in pairs: whatever the earth produces, their own human kind and other creatures of which they have no knowledge. (Verses 33-36)

Kila kitu kilicho karibu nao katika ulimwengu kinawazungumzia kuhusu Mungu, kikitoa ushahidi wa uwepo Wake. Wanahitaji tu kuangalia ardhi iliyo mbele yao na jinsi wanavyoiona imekufa, haina uhai, haina hata tone la maji. Kisha wanaiona ikihuishwa, ikizalisha nafaka na kupambwa kwa mabustani yaliyojaa tende na zabibu. Chemchemi za maji zinabubujika ndani yake; na baada ya muda mfupi, imejaa uhai.

Everything around them in the universe speaks to them about God, giving evidence of His presence. They only need to look at the land in front of them and how they see it dead, lifeless, lacking a drop of water. Then they see it quicken, producing grain and adorned with gardens replete with dates and grapes. Springs of water gush through it; and in no time, it is full of life.

Uhai ni muujiza ambayo hakuna mtu awezaye kuizalisha. Ni mkono wa Mungu unaozalisha miujiza, unaoanzisha uhai katika kile kilichokufa. Kuona mimea inayokua, bustani zenye maua na matunda yanayoiva kunapaswa kufungua macho na mioyo ya watu ili wathamini kazi ya ajabu inayotokana na mkono wa Mungu. Ni mkono unaoupasua ardhi ili chipukizi lionekane, likitamani uhuru na mwanga, unaoupa nguvu shina ambalo lina hamu ya kufurahia mwanga wa jua, unaozipakia matawi majani na matunda, unaofungua maua na kuandaa matunda kwa ajili ya kuvunwa, "ili wapate kula matunda yake. Haikuwa mikono yao wenyewe iliyofanya haya yote." (Aya ya 35) Ilikuwa ni mkono wa Mungu wenye ustadi uliowawezesha kufikia haya yote; ndiye aliyefanya mimea ikue na kutoa mavuno yake: "Basi hawatashukuru?" (Aya ya 35)

Life is a miracle which no man can produce. It is God’s hand that produces miracles, initiating life in what has been dead. The sight of growing plants, flowering gardens and ripening fruit should open people’s eyes and hearts to appreciate the wonderful work engendered by God’s hand. It splits the earth to allow the shoot to appear, longing for freedom and light, gives vigour to the stem which is eager to enjoy sunlight, loads the branches with leaves and fruit, opens up flowers and gets the fruit ready for picking, “so that they may eat of its fruit. It was not their own hands that made all this.” (Verse 35) It was God’s dextrous hand that enabled them to achieve all this; it was He who made the plants grow and yield their harvest: “Will they, then, not give thanks?” (Verse 35)

Ingawa ishara hizi ziko wazi na zinatia moyo, watu wanaendelea kutozingatia sana. Mioyo yao bado imefungwa, nao wanaendelea na kejeli na kukataa, wakiharakisha mwisho ambao wajumbe wa Mwenyezi Mungu waliwaonya juu yake.

Clear and inspiring as these signs are, people continue to pay little heed. Their hearts remain closed and they persist in ridicule and denial, hastening the end against which God’s messengers have warned them:

Wanapoambiwa: "Jihadharini na yaliyo mbele yenu na yaliyo nyuma yenu, ili mpate kurehemewa," hupuuza. Kila ishara inayowajia kutoka kwa Mola wao Mlezi huipuuza. Na wanapoambiwa: "Toeni katika yale ambayo Mwenyezi Mungu amewaruzuku," wale waliokufuru huwaambia wale walioamini: "Je, tuwalishe wale ambao Mwenyezi Mungu angeweza kuwalisha lakini hakutaka?" Hakika nyinyi mmo katika upotevu wa dhahiri. Pia wanauliza: "Ahadi hii itatimia lini, ikiwa mnachosema ni kweli?"

When they are told: ‘Beware of that which lies before you and behind you, so that you may be graced with His mercy,’ [they pay no heed]. Every single sign that comes to them from their Lord do they ignore. And when they are told: ‘Give [in charity] out of what God has provided for you,’ the unbelievers say to those who believe: Are we to feed those whom God could have fed, had He so willed? Clearly, you are lost in error.’ They also ask: ‘When will this promise be fulfilled, if what you say be true?’ (Verses 45-48)

Ingawa ishara hizi zote zinatosha kuufanya moyo mnyofu utetemeke na kuupatanisha na ulimwengu, wasioamini hawataziona kwa jinsi zilivyo, na hata wakiziona, bado hawazitafakari. Kwa sababu rehema yake haina mwisho, Mwenyezi Mungu haziachi nafsi zao kwa zenyewe. Anawatumia wajumbe kuwaonya na kuwaita kwa Mola wao, Muumba wa ulimwengu. Kazi ya wajumbe ni kuamsha mioyo ya watu ili waweze kuona kwa nini wanapaswa kumcha Mungu, na kuwaonya dhidi ya kujipatia ghadhabu ya Mungu, wakiwaonyesha sababu zake na kuwafundisha jinsi ya kuepuka. Ishara hupewa kila mara katika maisha yao, mara kwa mara, mbali na ishara zilizomo katika ulimwengu unaowazunguka, lakini wao huchagua kubaki vipofu: "Inapoambiwa: Jihadharini na yaliyo mbele yenu na yaliyo nyuma yenu, ili mpate kurehemewa, [hawajali]. Kila ishara inayowajia kutoka kwa Mola wao hawaitilii maanani." (Aya 45-46) Wanapoambiwa watoe sadaka na kuwapa masikini sehemu ya walichopewa na Mungu, husema kwa dhihaka: "Je, tuwalishe wale ambao Mwenyezi Mungu angelitaka angewalisha?" (Aya 47) Hata hujibu kwa kukosa adabu wale wanaowaita watoe sadaka, wakisema: "Hakika nyinyi mmo katika upotevu ulio wazi." (Aya 47)

Although all these signs are enough to cause an open heart to shudder and bring it in line with the universe, the unbelievers will not see them for what they are, and even if they do see them, they still do not reflect on them. Because His grace is endless, God does not leave them to themselves. He sends them messengers to warn them and to call them to their Lord, the Creator of the universe. The messengers’ role is to alert people’s hearts so that they can see why they should be God- fearing, and to warn them against incurring God’s displeasure, pointing out its causes and teaching them how to avoid it. Signs are constantly given them in their lives, time after time, in addition to the signs that are available in the universe around them, but they choose to remain blind: “When they are told: Beware of that which lies before you and behind you, so that you may be graced with His mercy, [they pay no heed]. Every single sign that comes to them from their Lord do they ignore.” (Verses 45-46) If they are urged to be charitable and to give to the poor a portion of what God has provided for them, they say in ridicule: “Are we to feed those whom God could have fed, had He so willed?” (Verse 47) They would even be impolite in their reply to those calling on them to be charitable, saying: “Clearly, you are lost in error.” (Verse 47)

Wanachongoja jambo moja tu, mlipuko mmoja utakaowafikia hali wakiwa bado wanagombana. Hawatapata nafasi ya kutoa wasia, wala hawatarejea kwa watu wao. Tarumbeta itapulizwa, nao watatoka kaburini mwao na kuharakia kwa Mola wao. Watasema: "Ole wetu! Ni nani aliyetuamsha kutoka mahali petu pa kulala? Hiki ndicho alichoahidi Mwingi wa Rehema, na Mitume wamesema kweli." Haitachukua ila mlipuko mmoja tu, nao wote watakuwa wamekusanywa mbele yetu.

All they are waiting for is a single blast that will overtake them while they are still disputing. No time will they have to make bequests, nor will they return to their own people. The Trumpet will be sounded, and out of their graves they will rise and hasten to their Lord. They will say: ‘Woe betide us! Who has roused us from our resting place? This is what the Lord of Grace had promised. The messengers told the truth.’ It takes nothing but one single blast, and they will all have been brought before Us.

(Aya 49-53)

(Verses 49-53)

Hapa tunaona jibu la swali kuhusu wakati wa Qiyama: linakuja kwa taswira ya haraka, mlio mmoja wa kuogofya unaoimaliza kila uhai. "Hawangojei ila ukelele mmoja tu, utakaowashika hali ya kuwa wanagombana. Basi hawataweza kuusia wala hawataweza kuwarudia watu wao." (Aya 49-50) Unawashika ghafla, kwa kitambo kifupi, wakiwa wanabishana na kugombana katika shughuli zao za kila siku, wasitarajie chochote kama hicho. Kisha yote yamekwisha. Wote wanaangamia wakiwa katika hali na mazingira waliyomo. Hawana nafasi ya kuandika wosia wala kupanga jambo lolote kwa ajili ya wapendwa wao watakaobaki nyuma. Hakuna awezaye kurudi kwa familia yake kuwaambia neno. Kwa kweli kila mtu anakabiliwa na mwisho uleule, huku uhai wote ukifikia ukomo.

Here we see the answer to the question about the time of resurrection: it comes in the form of a quick image, a single blast that ends all life. “All they are waiting for is a single blast that will overtake them while they are still disputing. No time will they have to make bequests, nor will they return to their own people.” (Verses 4950) It takes them suddenly, in a moment, as they argue and dispute going about their day-to-day lives, expecting nothing of the sort. Then it is all over. All perish in the situation and the condition they are in. They have no chance to make a will or to arrange something for loved ones who may stay behind. No one can return to his family to say a word to them. In fact every single person faces the same end, with all life finished.

Kisha Tarumbeta inapulizwa na wote wanainuka kutoka makaburini mwao, wakienda kwa haraka, wameshtuka, wamejawa na hofu. Swali lililo midomoni mwa kila mmoja ni: "Ni nani ametuamsha kutoka mahali petu pa kulala?" (Aya ya 52) Mshtuko unapoanza kupungua, unabadilishwa na kutambua kunakozidi: "Hii ndiyo aliyoahidi Mola Mwenye Rehema. Mitume walisema kweli." (Aya ya 52) Kisha inakuja mlio wa mwisho, na wale wote waliochanganyikiwa, wakienda kwa haraka na bila mwelekeo, wanachukua nafasi zao: "Haitachukua chochote isipokuwa mlio mmoja tu, nao wote watakuwa wameletwa mbele yetu." (Aya ya 53) Muda mfupi tu, na wote wamesimama mahali pao, wamepangwa safu safu kama walivyo katika gwaride. Amri kuu inayoeleza hali ya wakati huo pamoja na hesabu na malipo yanayokuja inatangazwa kwa wote: "Leo hakuna nafsi itakayodhulumiwa hata kidogo: hamtalipwa ila kwa yale mliyokuwa mkiyatenda maishani." (Aya ya 54) Mfuatano huu wa picha tatu unatoa jibu kamili na lenye mshikamano kwa wale ambao wamekuwa wakitoa shaka kuhusu Siku ya Kiyama.