第一段以一条普遍原则作结:凡自称信仰的人都会受到考验,其目的在于分辨真正信道者与说谎者。该段还提到了几种不同的考验形式,例如身体上的苦难、来自亲属和所爱之人的压力,以及诱惑的吸引力。

The first passage concluded with reference to the general rule that those who profess to believe are subjected to a test, the purpose of which is to separate those who truly believe from those who are liars. The passage also referred to different types of testing, such as physical suffering, pressure exerted by relatives and loved ones, and the lure of temptation.

在这段文字中，我们看到信仰的倡导者所经历的各种考验的例子，从诺亚（愿主赐他平安）开始。这些例子取自历史早期神的使者所忍受的磨难。关于易卜拉欣和鲁特，文中给出了一些细节，而其他所有情况则只做了非常简短的提及。

In this passage we have examples of the kind of tests advocates of faith went through, starting with Noah (peace be upon him). Such examples are drawn from what God’s messengers endured from the early days of history. Some details are given about Abraham and Lot, but only very brief references are made in all other cases.

在努哈的故事中，我们看到了付出极大努力却收效甚微的情况。他在自己的民众中生活了950年，但只有少数人信从他的呼吁。因此，“洪水淹没了他们，因为他们正深陷于不义之中。”（第14节）在易卜拉欣和他的民众的事例中，我们看到了恶劣回报与虚妄暴政的非常清晰的例子。他竭尽全力，运用有力而合乎逻辑的论证，引导他的民众遵循天启的指引，然而“他们的唯一回答是：‘杀了他或烧死他’。”（第24节）

In Noah’s story we see very great efforts yielding scanty results. He stayed among his people for 950 years but only a few believers accepted his call. Therefore, “the floods overwhelmed them as they were deep in wrongdoing.” (Verse 14) In the case of Abraham and his people we see a very clear example of foul reward and the tyranny of falsehood. He tried his best to steer his people to follow divine guidance, using sound, logical argument, but “their only answer was: ‘Kill him or burn him’.” (Verse 24)

在鲁特的族人身上，我们看到情欲公然显露，毫无廉耻与道德底线可言。这是人类最卑劣的堕落与败坏，他们对真诚的警告几乎充耳不闻：“他们的族人唯一的回应，就是说：如果你是说实话的人，就让神的惩罚降临到我们身上吧。”（第29节）

In the case of Lot’s people we see how lust comes out into the open, with no consideration for decency or moral scruple. Here is the vilest human degeneration and perversion, one which pays little heed to sincere warnings: “But his people’s only response was to say: Bring down upon us God’s punishment, if you truly are one who speaks the truth.” (Verse 29)

在舒阿император与麦德彦人的故事中，我们看到了明显的腐败，以及对正义与公理的蓄意漠视，此外还有对真主启示的否认：“地震袭击了他们，清晨他们便伏倒在自己家中，毫无生气。”（第37节）。提到阿德人和赛莫德人，提醒我们那些不信之人过于傲慢地自负其力量与豁免，不感恩真主的恩惠与赐福。同样，提到古伦、法老和哈曼，则提醒我们财富的暴政、独裁与虚伪。

With Shu`ayb and the people of Madyan we see blatant corruption and wilful disregard for right and justice, in addition to denial of God’s message: “An earthquake overtook them and the morning found them lying lifeless on the ground in their very homes.” (Verse 37) The references to the `Ād and Thamūd peoples remind us of unbelievers thinking too arrogantly of their own power and immunity, showing no gratitude for God’s favours and blessings. Likewise, the reference to Qārūn, Pharaoh and Hāmān reminds us of the tyranny of wealth, dictatorship, and hypocrisy.

我确实派遣了努哈去到他的族人中间，他在他们之中居住了一千年，减去五十年；然后洪水淹没了他们，因为他们正深陷于不义之中；但我拯救了他，以及所有在船中的人，并且我把那艘船作为一个迹象留给世人。（章节14-15）

We sent Noah to his people and he dwelt among them for a thousand years bar fifty; and then the floods overwhelmed them as they were deep in wrongdoing; but We saved him, together with all those who were in the ark, which We made as a sign for all people. (Verses 14-15)

较为可信的观点是,努哈的传教时间为950年,在他接受启示之前有一段不确定的时期,在他和信士们得救于洪水之后还有一段未明确的时期。这确实是非常长的寿命,以我们今天的眼光看来似乎不符合自然规律,在人类中也是前所未闻的。然而,这一信息来自最真实的来源——全能的真主。这已足以使我们接受其为真实。如果我们想为此寻找某种解释,可以说当时地球上的人口较少。因此,真主可能让早期的世代拥有更长的寿命,以便地球上的生命得以发展。当人口增加之后,便不再需要如此长的寿命。这一现象也适用于某些物种。例如,某些种类的鹰、秃鹫和乌龟可以存活数百年。与此形成对比的是苍蝇,它们繁殖数以百万计,寿命却短至两周甚至更短。一切智慧都属于真主,祂所做的一切都经过精确的衡量。此外,尽管努哈传播神圣讯息近千年,信士的数量仍然很少。由于人们持续反对神圣讯息,洪水冲走了绝大多数人。只有少数信士得以乘坐方舟获救。这个关于洪水和方舟的故事成为“对所有人的一个迹象”,向我们昭示了不信与不义的终结。

The weightier view is that the duration of Noah’s message was 950 years, preceded by an undefined period before he received his revelations and followed by an unspecified period after he and the believers were saved from the floods. This is certainly a very long life that seems to us, nowadays, to be unnatural and unknown in humanity. Yet we have this information from the most truthful source, God Almighty. This is more than sufficient for it to be accepted as true. If we want some sort of explanation for it, we could say that the human population of the earth at that time was small. It is possible, therefore, that God gave those early generations longer lives so that life on earth could progress. When human numbers increased, there was no longer any need for such long lives. This reflects a phenomenon applicable to some species. For example, certain types of eagle, vulture and turtle can live for centuries. Contrast this with flies, which breed in their millions, and which have a life span as short as two weeks, or less. All wisdom belongs to God, and everything He does is according to a careful measure. Furthermore, despite the near millennium of Noah’s advocacy of the divine message there were still only a small number of believers. The floods swept away the overwhelming majority because of their continued opposition to the divine message. Only the small number of believers were saved in the ark. This story of the floods and the ark was to become ‘a sign for all people’, telling us about the end of unbelief and injustice.

该章节跨越数个世纪，将焦点转向易卜拉欣所传布的神圣讯息。

The sūrah moves on several centuries bringing into focus the divine message as preached by Abraham:

并且易卜拉欣对他的族人说："你们应当崇拜真主，敬畏他。这对你们是最好的，如果你们知道的话！你们舍真主而崇拜偶像，你们只是在制造谎言。"

And Abraham said to his people: ‘Worship God, and fear Him. This is best for you, if you but knew it! You worship only idols instead of God, and thus you create falsehood.

那些你们舍弃真主而崇拜的，不能为你们提供生计。所以你们当向真主求取一切生计，只崇拜祂，并感谢祂。你们必定归于祂。如果你们不信，在你们之前，其他民族也曾不信。使者的职责，只是清楚地传达使命。（第16至18节）

Those that you worship instead of God do not have it in their power to provide sustenance for you. Seek, then, all sustenance from God, and worship Him alone and be grateful to Him. Indeed, to Him you shall return. If you disbelieve, other communities also disbelieved before your time. A messenger of God is not hound to do more than clearly deliver His message. (Verses 16-18)

易卜拉欣对其民众的呼吁清晰明确，条理分明，堪称所有宣扬真主信仰者的良好典范。他首先告诉他们自己所传之道的真正本质："你们要崇拜真主，敬畏他。"（第16节）

Abraham’s call to his people was clear, unambiguous and very well structured. It served as a good model for all advocates of the divine faith. He started by telling them of the true nature of his message: “Worship God, and fear Him.” (Verse 16)

此外,他向他们提出这一主张,并说明其中对他们大有益处,只要他们能够知晓:"这对你们是最好的,如果你们知道的话!"(第16节)换言之,如果他们不愚昧,他们就会选择对自己有益的事物。这是一个简单而真实的道理,无需激昂的演说,其精髓便自然可以传达。

Furthermore, he made this appealing to them, stating that it contained much goodness for them, if they would only know it: “This is best for you, if you but knew it!” (Verse 16) In other words, if they were not ignorant, they would choose what was good for them. This is a simple and real truth which needs no fiery speeches to impart its essence.

然后易卜拉欣阐明了他们的宗教是多么有缺陷，尤其是他们崇拜木制偶像。用木像来代替对至高者的崇拜，是多么荒谬。其次，他们的信仰完全缺乏证据支持，他们所做的只是编造虚假之物。此外，这些雕像和偶像毫无益处，因为它们无法给人们提供任何东西：“你们舍真主而崇拜的，不能为你们提供给养。”（第17节）

Then Abraham explains how flawed their religion is, especially their worship of wooden statues. What an absurd substitute for worshipping the Almighty. Secondly, evidence to support their beliefs was completely lacking; they only invented what was false. Furthermore, such statues and idols are of no benefit, as they cannot provide people with anything: “Those that you worship instead of God do not have it in their power to provide sustenance for you.” (Verse 17)

然后，易卜拉欣引导人们向真主求取给养。在生活中最重要的事情上，人们应当唯独依靠祂："你们应当向真主求取给养。"（第17节）给养和生计是人们首先关心的事，尤其是那些从未体会信仰之意义的人。然而，唯独向真主求取给养，才是最显而易见的道理。 Note: the rules say the original's "God" should be written as the Chinese word for God, and "Allah" should not appear. The rendering above uses 真主, the standard Chinese Muslim term for God, which matches that instruction.

此后，本章短暂停顿，向所有否认信仰的人发言，并谈及全体人类必然归于真主、复活与清算之事：

Thereafter, the sūrah takes a brief pause to address all who deny faith, the inevitable return of all mankind to God, and the resurrection and reckoning:

难道他们不知道神如何创造生命，然后使其重新复生吗？这对神来说确实很容易。你说："你们遍游大地，看看神是如何最初创造万物的；然后他必定会使后来的生命重生。神确实对万物有全能。他惩罚他所意欲的人，也怜悯他所意欲的人。你们终将被送回到他那里。你们无论在地上还是天上，都不能逃脱他。除了神，你们没有保护者，也没有援助者。"那些否认神的迹象和与他相见的人，正是绝望于我慈悯的人。他们将遭受痛苦的刑罚。（第19至23节）

Are they not aware how God creates [life] in the first instance, and then brings it forth anew? This is indeed easy for God. Say: ‘Go all over the earth and see how God has originated His creation in the first instance; and then He will certainly bring about the second life. Most certainly, God has the power over all things. He punishes whom He will, and bestows His mercy on whom He will. To Him you shall be made to return. And never can you elude Him, neither on earth nor in the skies. You have none to protect you from God and none to give you support.’ Those who deny God’s signs and the meeting with Him are indeed the ones who abandon all hope of My mercy. It is for these that grievous suffering awaits. (Verses 19-23)

这段话是写给所有否认真主及与祂相见的人的。它以宇宙作为证据，来印证其真实性。《古兰经》常常把宇宙呈现为一部敞开的书，供心灵与理智去思索，去寻找真主的迹象，并从中发现祂独一的明证，以及祂应许与警告之真实。宇宙中的种种现象始终摆在人们面前，供人观看与沉思，但因长久习以为常，它们便失去了触动人心的力量。因此，《古兰经》将人们的注意力引向这些壮丽的景象，使它们重新鲜活地呈现在眼前，并恢复其应有的感化作用。它不诉诸论辩与冰冷、枯燥的逻辑。况且，这种逻辑本就与伊斯兰的思想格格不入。《古兰经》所做的，是举例说明，确立方法，指明道路。

This is addressed to everyone who denies God and their meeting with Him. It uses the universe as evidence confirming its truth. The Qur’ān frequently presents the universe as an open book for hearts and minds to ponder on, searching for God’s signs, and finding indications of His oneness and the truth of His promises and warnings. Universal phenomena are always present for people to see and contemplate, but they lose their inspiration as a result of long familiarity. Therefore, the Qur’ān directs people’s attention to these magnificent scenes, bringing them alive before their eyes and renewing their effects. It does not resort to argument and cold, lifeless logic. Such logic, is, in any case, alien to Islamic thought. Instead, the Qur’ān gives examples, sets the method and outlines the way.

“他们难道不知道真主如何创造万物，然后使之重新复生吗？这对真主而言确实很容易。”（第19节）他们亲眼看到真主如何开创造化：他们在破土而出的植物中看到，在鸡蛋和胎儿中看到，也在一切从无到有而出现的事物中看到。他们在人类个体与群体都无法自行造就的一切事物中看到这一点。生命的奥秘确实深不可测：过去如此，今天依然如此。我们不知道生命是如何起源的，又源自何处，更不用说有人声称自己造就了生命。因此，生命除了是真主的创造之外，不可能有其他解释。正是真主在每一刻都在我们眼前开创造化。我们都看到了这一点，无法否认。

“Are they not aware how God creates [life] in the first instance, and then brings it forth anew? This is indeed easy for God.” (Verse 19) They see with their own eyes how God originates creation: they see it in the shooting plant, the egg and the foetus, and in everything that comes into being, having had no prior existence. They see it in everything that humans, individually and collectively, cannot bring about themselves. Indeed the secret of life is unfathomable: it was so in the past and it remains so today. We do not know how life originated and where from, let alone that anyone should claim to have brought it about. Life, thus, cannot have any explanation other than that it is of God’s own making. It is He who originates creation at every moment before our very eyes. We all see it and cannot deny it.

在这段穿插的劝诫之后——它面向所有否认信仰的人，也隐含地指向易卜拉欣的族人——本章接着记述了他的族人对他的呼召所作的回应。这回应非常奇特、独一无二，显示出那种依仗武力与权势的傲慢、否认和压迫：“[易卜拉欣的]族人的唯一回答是：”

After this intervening address aimed at everyone who denies faith generally, and at Abraham’s people by implication, the sūrah reports his people’s reply to his call. It is a very strange and singular reply, one which shows the arrogance of disbelief and oppression that relies on force and authority: “[Abraham’s.] people’s only answer was:

"杀了他，或者烧死他。"但真主将他从火中救了出来。这其中确有迹象，给信道的人看。"（第24节）杀人或焚人，竟是他们对一个简单、清晰而合乎逻辑的呼吁所作的唯一回应，而这呼吁正是他向他们的心灵与理智所发出的。

Kill him, or burn him.’ But God saved him from the fire. In this there are signs for people who believe.” (Verse 24) To kill or burn a man is their only response to a simple, clear and logical call with which he addressed their hearts and minds.

亚伯拉罕独自一人，毫无权势，又如何能抵挡这种傲慢而残暴的迫害呢？因此，真主以直接而明显的方式进行了干预，施行了一个任何人都不曾预料到的奇迹：“真主使他免于火烧。”诚然，他以这种奇妙的方式获救，本应被视为印证其使命的明确证据，然而，只有内心已准备好接受信仰的人，才会如此看待此事。

How could Abraham alone and deprived of all power stand up to such arrogant brutality? Therefore, God intervened in a direct and open manner, with a miracle no human could have expected: “God saved him from the fire.” Indeed his saving in this miraculous way should have been seen as clear evidence confirming his message, but only a person whose heart is ready to embrace faith looks at it in this light.

然而，尽管有这个神迹，易卜拉欣的族人仍然不信。由此可见，神迹本身并不能带来引导。相反，人需要有开放的心态，愿意接受真理和神的引导："其中确有许多迹象，但对信道的人才有用。"（第24节）

Abraham’s people, however, did not believe despite this miracle. This shows, then, that miracles do not give guidance. Instead, it is necessary to have an open mind, one willing to accept the truth and divine guidance: “In this there are signs for people who believe.” (Verse 24)

这些迹象中的第一个是易卜拉欣得以从火中获救。第二个是暴政无法伤害独自站立的这一个人，因为真主想要拯救他。第三个迹象是：奇迹并不能保证心肠刚硬的人接受真主的引导。要证实这一点，只需审视天启信息的历史，思考人心如何变化，以及那些使人接受引导的因素与使人迷失的因素。

The first of these signs was Abraham’s saving from the fire. The second was the impotence of tyranny to harm just one man standing alone, when God wanted him saved. The fact that miracles do not ensure acceptance of God’s guidance by hardened hearts was the third sign. In confirmation of this fact one only needs to look at the history of divine messages, and reflect on the way people’s hearts change, and also on the factors that enable people to accept guidance as well as those that leave them astray.

此后,易卜拉欣对那些亲眼目睹了这一伟大神迹的人感到绝望,因为他们永远不会相信真主的独一性。他明白地告诉他们自己的真实处境,然后便离开了他们。 Note: the original says "God", so I used 真主 (the Chinese word for God in Islamic texts) rather than 安拉, and I kept the prophet's name in the form the original uses, rendered as 易卜拉欣 (Abraham) as is standard in Chinese Islamic texts.

接下来提到的是罗特的故事，他曾与易卜拉欣一同迁徙，并定居于约旦河谷。之后，罗特独自与一个部落居住在死海附近，该海后来被称为罗特湖。部落所居的城镇名叫索多玛。

Lot’s story is mentioned next, after he had emigrated with Abraham and settled in the Jordan Valley. Lot then lived on his own with a tribe close to the Dead Sea, which was later called Lake Lot. The township where the tribe lived was known as Sodom.

卢特娶了他们的一个女子，并与他们一同生活。

Lot married one of their women and lived among them.

在那些人中间曾蔓延着一种反常的行为，《古兰经》提到，这种同性恋行为是人类历史上前所未有的第一次。在自然的状态下，男人被女人吸引，使两者结合成一个天然的生育单位，借着繁衍后代来保障生命的延续，这是所有生物物种共有的规律。是真主创造了万物，使它们成双配对，由雄性和雌性组成。因此，鲁特的人民是最早屈服于这种反常行为的人：

A certain type of perversion had spread among those people, and the Qur’ān mentions that this was the first time ever in human history that such homosexuality had occurred. In the natural state of things a man is attracted to a woman so that the two form a natural productive unit which ensures the continuity of life through procreation, which is common to all living species. It is God who has created them all in pairs made of males and females. Thus, Lot’s people were the first ever to yield to such perversion:

“罗特对他的族人说：‘你们确实在做可耻的事，这是世界上任何人在你们之前都从未做过的。你们竟然与男人发生性行为，拦路抢劫，并在你们的聚会场所做出丑恶的事情吗？’他的族人的唯一回应是说：‘如果你确实是说实话的人，就让真主的惩罚降临到我们身上吧。’他说：‘我的主啊！求你帮助我，对抗这些散布败坏的人。’”（第28-30节）

And Lot said to his people: ‘You certainly commit abominations such as none in all the worlds has ever committed before you. Will you approach men [with lust], assault people on the highway, and commit shameful acts in your meeting places?’ But his people’s only response was to say: ‘Bring down upon us God’s punishment, if you truly are one who speaks the truth.’ He said: My Lord! Support You me against these people who spread corruption.’ (Verses 28-30)

尽管从卢特对其族人的训诫中可以看出，他们之中还蔓延着其他类型的败坏，但他们最主要的丑恶行径在于与其他男子发生性行为。男子若在与女子的关系上越过自然的界限，其行为固然是严重的罪行，但仍属于自然欲望的整体框架之内。

Although it is clear from Lot’s address to his people that other types of corruption had spread among them, their main abomination was that they engaged in sex with other men. When a man goes beyond natural limits with a woman, his action is a gross crime but it remains within the overall framework of natural desire.

同性恋的变态行为超出了所有生物共有的自然本能，表明心理和身体上存在失调。真主使已婚夫妇之间的性交快乐与生命的伟大延续及其通过后代得以持续的进程相协调。男性和女性都能通过它获得心理和身体上的快乐。另一方面，同性恋行为没有这样的目的，因此无法带来自然的快乐。

Homosexual perversion reaches beyond the natural instinct common to all living species, and indicates a psychological and physical malfunction. God has made the pleasure of sexual interaction between married couples move in harmony with the great line of life and its continuity through offspring. Both man and woman are able to enjoy through it psychological and physical pleasure. Homosexual practices, on the other hand, have no such objective and, as such, cannot give natural pleasure.

该章随后简要提及不同信仰背离者群体及其所遭的下场，首先是舒艾卜的族人：

The sūrah then gives brief references to different communities of unbelievers and the ends they suffered, starting with Shu`ayb’s people:

我还派遣了他们的兄弟舒阿伊布到麦丁人那里。他说：“我的民众啊！你们应当崇拜真主，你们应当希望末日，不要在大地上作恶，散布败坏。”但他们斥责他说谎，于是地震袭击了他们，清晨，他们僵卧在自己的家园里。（第36-37节）

And to the people of Madyan We sent their brother Shu`ayb, who said: ‘My people, worship God alone, and look forward to the Last Day, and do not act wickedly to spread corruption on earth.’ But they accused him of lying. Thereupon an earthquake overtook them and the morning found them lying lifeless on the ground in their very homes. (Verses 36-37)

在提及先知舒阿຺卜的这段经文中，我们看到了天启信息的统一性与信仰的本质：“你们只当崇拜真主，并期盼末日。”（第36节）崇拜真主独一，是信仰的根本准则。期盼审判日，则能促使他们停止作恶。例如，他们在经商时为人称量或计量，却故意欺骗他人。

In this reference to the Prophet Shu`ayb we see the unity of the divine message and the essence of faith: “Worship God alone, and look forward to the Last Day.” (Verse 36) Worshipping God alone is the basic rule of faith. Looking forward to the Day of Judgement would ensure that they stopped their evil ways. For example, they deliberately defrauded people when they measured or weighed for them in business.

他们还劫掠过往经过其领地的人，夺走他们所拥有的财物，普遍散布腐败，行为傲慢。

They also looted from those who passed through their lands, deprived them of what they had, and generally spread corruption, behaving arrogantly.

此外,他们对抗自己的先知,指责他说谎;因此,真主毁灭了他们。神依据其律法,对否认使者的不信道者施以惩罚:"于是地震袭击了他们,清晨时他们已僵卧在自己的家中。"(第37节)我们此前提到过,在一声巨响使他们惊呆于家中、无法动弹之后,地震撼动了他们的土地。于是,他们因屡次恐吓他人,而得到了应有的报应,僵毙于原地。

Furthermore, they took a stand against their prophet, accusing him of lying; therefore, God destroyed them. He brought into force His law of punishing unbelievers who deny their messengers: “Thereupon an earthquake overtook them and the morning found them lying lifeless on the ground in their very homes.” (Verse 37) We mentioned previously the earthquake that shook their land after a great blast left them stunned in their homes, unable to stir. Thus they were left lifeless in fitting requital for their repeated terrorization of others.

接下来，该章简要地提到了降临在‘Ād和Thamūd身上的惩罚。

Next the sūrah refers very briefly to the punishment inflicted on the `Ād and Thamūd:

而'Ād和Thamūd，我也毁灭了他们。从他们的住所中，这对你们来说已是明显的。撒旦把他们的恶行装饰得很美好，使他们偏离了正道，尽管他们本有能力辨别真理。（第38节）

And the `Ād and Thamūd [We also destroyed]. This has been evident to you from their dwellings. Satan had made their evil deeds seem goodly to them, and thus had turned them away from the path [of God] despite their having had the ability to perceive the truth. (Verse 38)

既然已经阐明了暴虐、作恶和邪恶的不信道者必遭毁灭,并且考虑到本章开头关于考验与诱惑所说的话,那么一个清晰的比喻便描述了相互竞争的各种力量之间的相对强弱。唯一真正的力量属于真主,此外的一切力量都脆弱而虚浮。凡是寻求其他力量的支持或庇护的人,就像蜘蛛依附于由丝线编织、毫无坚固性的脆弱的巢穴。蜘蛛及其丝网,或者说它的居所,都没有真正的依靠。

Now that the destruction of despotic, wrongdoing and wicked unbelievers has been outlined, and bearing in mind what was said at the beginning of the sūrah about tests and temptation, the relative power of competing forces is described in a clear simile. There is only one true power and this belongs to God. Every other power is frail and flimsy. Whoever seeks support or protection from other than God is like a spider which clings to a frail home woven of silk that lacks strength. Both the spider and its web, or home, are without real support:

那些以神以外的人为保护者的人，可以被比作蜘蛛，它为自己织造一个住所。如果他们知道的话，蜘蛛的住所确实是所有住所中最脆弱的。神确实知道人们在祂之外祈求的是什么。祂是至尊的，是至睿的。我们为世人打比方，但只有有学问的人才能理解其中的含义。

Those who take anyone other than God for their protectors may be compared to the spider which makes for itself a home. Indeed the spider’s home is the frailest of all homes, if they but knew it. God certainly knows the nature of whatever people invoke instead of Him. He alone is Almighty, Wise. Such are the comparisons We draw for people’s benefit, but none will grasp their meaning except the people of knowledge.

（第41-43节）

(Verses 41-43)

这是一幅真实而令人惊叹的画面,描绘了宇宙中运行的各种力量。人们有时忽视了这一真理,于是他们的价值观便随之沦丧。事实上,他们对人际关系的认识日趋败坏,所有的衡量标准也失去了平衡。他们不知该走向何方,该拿起什么,又该放弃什么。在这种情况下,政府的权力欺骗了他们。他们觉得政府过于强大,便将自己的愿望和怨言呈交给它,畏惧它,并试图讨好它,以免遭受其强硬措施的伤害。同样,他们也被其他力量所欺骗,例如财富的力量,他们以为财富能够掌控人们的生活。于是,他们竭力获取财富,以便对他人施加权力。知识的力量同样欺骗了他们,因为他们把知识视为力量、财富以及一切使人拥有权势之要素的源泉。因此,他们怀着谦卑的态度接近知识,就像一个虔诚的崇拜者投身于礼拜一样。无论这种表面的权力掌握在个人、群体还是国家手中,都会欺骗他们。他们被它吸引,就像飞蛾被灯光吸引,又如成群涌向火焰一般。

This is an amazing but true picture of the powers operating in the universe. People sometimes overlook this truth and hence their values fall by the wayside. Indeed their concept of human relations grows corrupt and all their criteria become ill- balanced. They do not know which way to go, what to take up and what to leave. In this situation, the power of government deceives them. They feel it to be too strong, address their wishes and complaints to it, fear it and try to appease it so that they remain safe from its strong-handed measures. Similarly, they are deceived by other powers, such as that of wealth which they imagine to control people’s lives. They, thus, try to obtain wealth so that they can exercise power over others. The power of knowledge also deceives them as they consider it a source of strength, wealth and all other elements that give people power. Hence, they approach it with humility, just like a worshipper engaged in devotion. Whether controlled by individuals, communities or states, apparent power deceives them. They are pulled towards it like moths are attracted to light or swarm towards a fire.

这一伟大的真理被完整清晰地陈述之后，又与宇宙设计中显现的那一主要真理相联系。这遵循了《古兰经》的方法，即把一切事实都与那一主要真理联系起来："真主是依据真理创造天地的。"

This great truth, stated in full clarity, is then linked to the main truth apparent in the design of the universe. This follows the Qur’ānic method of linking all facts to that main truth: “God has created the heavens and the earth in accordance with the truth.

“诚然，在此中对于信道的民众有一种迹象。”（第44节）与本章其余部分完全和谐一致，这节经文彰显了不同实相之间的真实联系，以及隐藏在天地创造背后的根本真理。正是这一真理，依照一个精妙而精确的体系维系着宇宙，此体系从不失灵，也不允许内在的冲突。

Indeed, in this there is a sign for people who believe.” (Verse 44) In perfect harmony with the rest of the sūrah, this verse enhances the real link between different realities and the main truth that lies behind the creation of the heavens and the earth. It is this truth that maintains the universe according to a fine and accurate system which never fails or allows inner conflict.

“诚然，其中确有迹象，给信道的人们。”（第44节）这些信道者，他们的心能回应真主在创造的一切方面所置放的种种迹象。 Note on the rules: the original says "God," so I used 真主 as the Chinese rendering. The verse text is wrapped in quotation marks rather than { }, but it is a Qur'an verse, so no ﷺ was added there.

“Indeed, in this there is a sign for people who believe.” (Verse 44) These are the believers whose hearts respond to the signs God has placed in all aspects of creation.

这些迹象在宇宙所呈现的和谐中清晰可见。尽管表面上千差万别，万物都是同一体系的组成部分。只有信士才能觉察这些迹象并领会其意义，因为他们的眼睛和心灵始终敞开。

These are clearly seen in the harmony apparent in the universe. All is part of a consistent system despite its seeming diversity. It is only believers who perceive these signs and appreciate them, because their eyes and hearts remain open.

在这段经文的末尾，这一章将所启示的经典、穆罕默德ﷺ的宣教、礼拜与对真主的纪念，与天地间所彰显的真理相联系，也与自努哈时代以来历代的宣教联系在一起。

At the end of this passage, the sūrah links the book revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon him), his advocacy of the divine message, prayers and remembrance of god with the truth reflected in the heavens and the earth, and with the advocacy of the divine message ever since Noah’s time:

{你要诵读启示你的经典，并谨守拜功，因为拜功能制止丑恶和罪恶。纪念真主是更伟大的。真主知道你们所做的一切。}（第29章第45节） Note: The verse is quoted from the Qur'an (Surah Al-Ankabut, 29:45), so I have placed it in braces and written the word for God as 真主 per the rules.

Recite what has been revealed to you of the book, and attend regularly to your prayer; for prayer restrains people from loathsome deeds and from all that is evil. To remember God is greater still. God knows all that you do. (Verse 45)