"Alif. Lām. Mīm." 这些是《古兰经》某些章开头出现的几个独立阿拉伯字母。依我们的看法，它们是用来提醒听众：这些字母正是构成真主所降示之经典——即《古兰经》——的材料。阿拉伯人熟悉这些字母，并用它们来组织他们想要表达的任何思想。然而，他们却无法编写出如此的经典，因为它并非出自任何人的创作；它的作者是真主。
“Alif. Lām. Mīm.” These are three of the separate Arabic letters that occur at the beginning of some Qur’ānic sūrahs. In our view, they are meant to alert the audience to the fact that such letters are the material from which the divine book given to the Prophet, i.e. the Qur’ān, is made. They are familiar to the Arabs who use them to compose whatever ideas they wish to express. Yet they cannot compose anything like this divine book, because it is of no man’s composition; its author is God.
这些以独立字母开头的章，总是谈及《古兰经》，或紧接着这些字母，或在后文提及，本章即是如此。
Sūrahs that start with such separate letters always speak about the Qur’ān, either immediately following these letters or later on, as is the case in the present sūrah.
因此,我们在其经文中读到:“你当诵读你所受启示的经典。”(第45节)“我就这样向你降示了这部经典。”(第47节)“在此之前,你从未诵读过任何经典,也从未用右手书写过任何经典。”(第48节)“他们难道还不够吗?我们已经向你降示了这部经典,并且向他们诵读。”(第51节)这些章中都一再提到《古兰经》及其无法模仿的文体,这证实了我们关于这些独立字母的观点。
Hence, we read in its verses: “Recite what has been revealed to you of the book.” (Verse 45) “Thus it is that We have revealed this book to you.” (Verse 47) “Never have you been able to read a book before this, nor have you ever been able to transcribe one with your right hand.” (Verse 48) “Is it not enough for them that We have revealed to you this book which is being read out to them?” (Verse 51) The fact that references to the Qur’ān and its inimitable style are invariably made in these sūrahs confirms our view concerning these separate letters.
紧接开篇之后,这章经文开始谈论信仰,以及信士为了使自己的信仰成为现实所要经受的严峻考验。经文提到,正是通过这样的考验,真正的信士才能与说谎者区分开来:"人们以为他们只说一声'我们信了',就会被听任而不受考验吗?我们确已考验过他们之前的人;所以,上主必定知道说实话的人,也必定知道说谎的人。"(2-3节)
Immediately after the opening, the sūrah begins speaking about faith and the hard test believers are subjected to in order to make their belief a reality. It mentions that it is through such testing that true believers are distinguished from liars: “Do people think that once they say: ‘We are believers’, they will be left alone and will not be put to a test? We certainly tested those who lived before them; and so most certainly God knows those who speak the truth and most certainly He knows those who are liars.” (Verses 2-3)
这是这一章中的第一个有力提示，以一个关于人们信仰观念的反问句的形式给出。他们常常认为，信仰只是他们口中说出的一句话：“人们以为只要说一声‘我们信了’，就会被放任不管吗？”信仰并不是我们口头上说说的一句话，而是一种带来义务的现实，一种附带要求的托付，一种需要忍耐与坚持的奋斗。仅仅声称自己信仰，是远远不够的。
This is the first strong note made in the sūrah, given in the form of a rhetorical question about people’s concept of faith. They often imagine that it is merely a word they utter: “Do people think that once they say: ‘We are believers’, they will be left alone?” Belief is not a mere word we say; it is a reality that imposes duties, a trust that carries requirements and a struggle that demands patience and perseverance. It is not enough that people should claim to believe.
当他们提出这一主张时，他们并不会被撇下不管。他们会受到考验，以证明其诚意与真正的品质，正如黄金要经过火炼，以便将其与任何廉价杂质分离开来。这里所用的阿拉伯语词"考验"源自词根 fitnah（فتنة），该词根恰恰传达了这一含义，即接受考验，以及由此所蕴含的一切。
When they make this claim they are not left alone. They are subjected to tests so as to prove their sincerity and true metal, just as gold is tested with fire so as to separate it from any cheap elements. The Arabic word used here for test derives from the root fitnah, which imparts exactly this sense of being subjected to a test with all that this implies.
这样的考验来证明人们信仰的真实性，是一条普遍而古老的定律："在他们之前，我确已考验过那些人，安拉必定知道诚实的人，也必定知道说谎的人。"（第3节）真主当然在任何考验之前就知道人们心中所藏的一切，但考验在实践中显露了真主所知、却为人类知识所隐藏的事情。因此，真主要求人们为他们实际所做的事负责，而不是为他所知的人的真实状况负责。
Such tests to prove people’s belief is a general and long established rule: “We certainly tested those who lived before them; and so most certainly God knows those who speak the truth and most certainly He knows those who are liars.” (Verse 3) God certainly knows what people harbour in their hearts before any test, but the test reveals, in practice, what is known to God, yet hidden from human knowledge. He thus makes people accountable for what they actually do, not for what He knows of their reality.
这一做法,从某个角度看是一种恩典,从另一个角度看则是一种公正。同时,它也为人们树立了一个值得借鉴的榜样,使人们不去追究他人的任何行为,除非其行为中明显可见的部分及其所导致的后果。他们应当记住,人无法知晓他人内心所藏的东西;只有真主才知道。
This is, in one sense, an act of grace, while in another, it is an act of justice. At the same time, it sets an edifying example for people so that they do not hold anyone accountable for anything other than what is clearly apparent of their deeds and what such deeds entail. They should remember that they cannot know what is in another’s heart; only God knows that.
现在让我们来讨论真主设立的一条普遍法则：信士会受到考验，以分辨谁是诚实的，谁是说谎的。信仰是真主托付给我们这个世界的信任。只有那些配得上它、有能力承担它并全心奉献于它的人，才能承担起这份信任。
Let us now discuss the general rule that God has set in operation, one whereby believers are subjected to a test so as to distinguish those who are truthful from those who lie. Faith is the trust God has placed in this world of ours. It is borne only by those who are worthy of it, have the strength to bear it and are totally devoted to it.
他们必须把它置于自身的舒适、安全、保障以及一切诱惑之上。这份托付意味着承担起管理大地的责任，引导人类走上真主为他们所选定的道路，并在生活中落实祂的话语。因此，这份托付既高贵又沉重。它是天命的一部分，所以需要一种能够耐心忍受艰难困苦的人来承担。
They must prefer it to their own comfort, safety, security, and all temptation. This trust entails being in charge of the earth, leading mankind along the way God has chosen for them, implementing His word in life. Hence, this trust is both noble and heavy. It is part of God’s command, and as such, it needs a certain type of person to patiently endure adversity.
作为考验的一部分，信士会遭受他人的欺压。信士常常意识到自己没有人支持或保护，也没有力量去抗衡暴政。这是人们提到考验时脑海中立即浮现的画面，但它当然不是最艰难的一类考验。考验有许多不同的类型，其中有些要沉重和艰难得多。
As part of the test, a believer is subjected to hardship by others. Believers often realize they have no one to support or defend them and that they lack the power with which to face tyranny. This is the immediate picture our minds see when tests are mentioned, but it is certainly not the hardest type of test. There are many different types of testing, some far more trying and difficult.
例如，还有来自家人和亲人的考验。信士可能担心，他所被要求付出的牺牲，会使家人陷入危险的境地，或者他无法保护自己所爱的人。而他们出于对他性命的担忧，可能会要求他妥协或放弃。他们可能会以亲情之名恳求他，不要让自己陷入毁灭，也不要把他们无力承受的重担压在他们身上。本章提到了这类考验的一个方面，即来自父母的考验，而这是非常难以通过的。
There is, for example, the test presented by family and loved ones. A believer may fear that the sacrifices he is called upon to make could put his family in a perilous situation, or that he cannot protect his loved ones. On their part, fearing for his life, his loved ones may call on him to compromise or to give up. They may appeal to him in the name of their close relation not to expose himself to destruction, or burden them with what they cannot bear. The sūrah refers to an aspect of such testing with parents, and this is very difficult to pass.
另一种考验是：看那些深陷错误、追随虚妄的人，在成功中沾沾自喜，世界在他们脚下，受到大众的追捧，前路毫无阻碍。荣耀对他们而言唾手可得，生活中的一切都任其享用。与之对照的，则是信士的处境：他默默无闻、无人留意、也无人为他辩护。只有少数像他一样的人懂得他所信之真理的价值，而这些人在世事上却没有任何发言权。
Another form of test is to see those who are deep in error and follow falsehood revelling in success, with the world at their feet, applauded by the masses, and with no obstacles in their way. Glory comes easy to them and everything in life is theirs to enjoy. Contrast this with the believer who finds himself ignored, unnoticed and undefended. Only a few people like him appreciate the value of the truth in which he believes, but none of these has any say in life.
另一种形式是身处陌生的环境中，感到自己孤独无依。信士环顾四周，发现一切人与事都随着滚滚潮流漂流，而这股潮流与他所知的真理背道而驰，而他独自站立，没有任何支持。
Yet another form is to feel oneself alone in a strange environment. A believer looks around and finds everything and everyone swimming with the sweeping tide that runs contrary to the truth he knows, while he stands alone without support.
如今我们看到另一种形式的考验：一些社会和国家中罪恶广泛存在，却自诩进步、文明，人们在其中似乎能够获得良好的照顾与保障。
We see nowadays a different type of test in the form of communities and states where vice is widespread, yet they reflect a progressive society and civilized style of life. In such communities, people find good standards of care and protection.
此外,尽管他们背离了神的道路,这些人既强大又富有。
Moreover, despite their turning away from God’s path, such people are both strong and affluent.
然而，还有一种考验比其他所有考验都更为艰难。它来自内心：当欲望、享受和快乐的诱惑变得非常强烈，或者安逸与保障显得过于诱人时，这种考验便随之而来。这使得遵循信仰之路变得困难，而信徒在其社群中可能还要面对其他障碍，使这种困难更加加剧。
There is, however, one test that is harder than all the rest. This comes from within, where the lure of desire, enjoyment and pleasure becomes very strong, or at least comfort and security appear too tempting. This makes following the line of faith difficult and the difficulty may be compounded by other obstacles which a believer may have to contend with in his community.
如果在这样的情况下时间不断流逝，而神的支持却迟迟未至，考验就变得更加艰难，也更难忍受。只有得到神坚固的人才能保持坚定。这些人证明了信仰的真实，也才能承担天上的神想要托付给地上的那份重大使命。
If time marches on under such conditions and God’s support seems slow in coming, the test becomes even more difficult and harder to endure. Only those strengthened by God will remain steadfast. These are the ones who prove the truth of faith and can be given the great trust that God in heaven wants to place on earth.
我们必须理解，真主并不希望让信士经受如此艰难的考验，也无意让他们遭受太多苦难。这一切都是他们为承担托付并履行其要求而做的准备的一部分。他们必须经历特殊的准备，而这种准备只能通过忍受真正的艰辛、承受痛苦、克服私欲，并且坚信真主的支持或His的回报才能达成，无论这种磨难持续多久、苦难多么严重。
What we have to understand is that God has no desire to put believers to such hard tests or cause them much suffering. It is all part of their preparation to take up the trust and fulfil its requirements. They must go through special preparations that can only be achieved through enduring real difficulties, withstanding pain and overcoming desires while being truly certain of God’s support or His reward, long as the hardship may continue and severe as the suffering may be.
人的灵魂会在困难与艰辛中受到考验，由此被洗去一切卑劣的影响。它内在的各种潜能因此被调动起来，并获得更大的力量与坚韧。这便是艰难对群体所产生的作用：唯有最坚强的人能够始终坚定不移。他们与真主保持着最亲密的联系，并且绝对确信，信仰之路必然会引领他们走向两种美好的结局之一：胜利或报酬。最终，旗帜会交付到他们手中，而他们也的确配得上这份托付。
The human soul is tested with difficulties and hardships. It is thus purged of any vile influence. All its latent powers are thus mobilized and it acquires further strength and solidity. This is the effect of hardship on communities. Only the strongest remain steadfast. These are the ones who maintain the closest relation with God, and remain absolutely confident that the path of faith will inevitably lead them to one of the two goodly eventualities: victory or reward. To these the banner is eventually entrusted, and they are certainly worthy of it.
他们所承受的这份托付对他们而言极为珍贵，尤其是因为他们为此付出了沉重的代价，忍受痛苦与磨难，并为之牺牲良多。一个人若为之奉献了自己的大部分精力与安逸，承受艰辛与逆境，必定会珍视他为之付出如此之多的这份托付。他不会轻易将其舍弃。
The trust they receive is very dear to them, particularly because of the high price they have had to give for it, enduring pain and suffering, and sacrificing much in its service. A person who gives much of himself and his comforts, who endures hardship and adversity will definitely hold dear the trust for which he has withstood so much. He will not abandon it easily.
关于信仰与真理最终获胜一事，这是真主所应许的。信士们对真主的应许必然实现，没有丝毫怀疑。如果觉得它来得太慢，那必定有某种特定的目的，而这目的必将有益于信仰和信徒。没有谁比真主更热切地守护他的信仰和真诚奉行信仰的人。那些忍受艰难的信士应当时刻记住，真主选择他们来承担真理的托付，这已经足够。真主确认他们拥有坚定的信仰，因为他选择他们接受考验。一段真实可靠的圣训说：“受考验最严厉的是众先知，其次是最虔诚的人，然后是次于他们的人，依次而行。一个人将依照其信仰的强度受到考验。如果他证明自己坚强，他所受考验的严酷程度就会加深。”那些迫害信士、行为邪恶的人，即使看上去强大而得胜，也逃不过真主的惩罚。这同样是真主所作的真实应许：“作恶的人难道以为他们能逃脱我们吗？他们的判断真是糟透了！”（第4节）任何恶人或作恶之人都不should以为自己能够逃脱。若他这样想，那他的判断就是绝对错误的。真主既以考验作为普遍的常规，用以区分真信士与虚假的自称者，也以惩罚作恶者作为普遍的常规，这一常规从不落空。
As for the eventual triumph of faith and truth, this is something God has promised. No believer entertains any doubt that what God promises will certainly come true. If it is felt to be slow in coming, this must be for a particular purpose which will most certainly benefit faith and the faithful. No one is keener than God to protect His faith and the people who adopt it sincerely. Those believers who endure hardship should always bear in mind that it is sufficient for them to be the ones God has chosen to be entrusted with the truth. Indeed, God confirms that they have strong faith, for He has chosen them to be tested. An authentic ĥadīth states: “The most severely tested are prophets, then the most pious people, then the ones closest to these, one degree after another. A man will be tested in accordance with his strength of faith. If he proves himself strong, the severity of his test is increased.” Those who subject the believers to hardship and act wickedly will not escape God’s punishment, even though they may appear strong and victorious. This is again a true promise made by God: “Or do those who do evil deeds think that they can escape Us? How ill they judge!” (Verse 4) No wicked or evil person should think that he can escape. If he does then his judgement is absolutely erroneous. God, who has made tests a general rule to distinguish true believers from false claimants, is the One who has also made punishment of the perpetrators of evil a general rule that never fails.
这是开篇处的第二个有力的提示，它与第一个相互平衡。
This is the second strong note at the opening of the sūrah, one that balances the first.