这篇苏拉在麦加降示，与古兰经中在那一时期降示的其他部分一样，讨论的是信仰问题。它主要从三个方面展开：

Revealed in Makkah, this sūrah, as with all other parts of the Qur’ān revealed in that period, deals with the issue of faith. It does so under three main headings:

即真主的独一性、祂的启示，以及人类的复活。

namely, God’s oneness, His message, and mankind’s resurrection.

该章的行文围绕其主题展开,提及若干宏大的宇宙现象,并将它们与信仰联系起来。其用意在于说明:信仰本是宇宙结构的一部分,同样的规律也适用于信仰。这说明了天地的根本与构成所包含的真理,也反映出天地万物的事务是以极其严肃的态度进行的。它既不是游戏之事,也不是虚妄之论,正如宇宙的被造并非为了嬉戏,其创造中也没有掺杂任何虚假的成分:“我未曾为戏耍而创造天地及其间的万物。”(第16节)

The flow of the sūrah deals with its subject matter, referring to a number of great universal phenomena and linking them with faith. The point of this is that faith is part of the universal structure, and the same phenomena apply to it. It illustrates the truth which is at the heart of the heavens and the earth and their constitution. It reflects the seriousness with which their affairs are conducted. It is neither a matter of play nor a question of falsehood, in the same way as the universe was not created for play, nor was any element of falsehood mixed with its creation: “We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in mere idle play.” (Verse 16)

该章节将人们的目光、心灵和思考集中于宇宙及其伟大的现象：天地、山川峡谷、昼夜、日月。它引导人们注意支配这一切并掌management其事务的诸法则的统一性，以及这种统一性如何有力地证明了拥有这广阔宇宙的造物主的独一。正如在创造中没有伙伴一样，在他的国度里也没有伙伴：“若天地之间除真主外还有别的神灵，天地必定败坏！”（第22节）

The sūrah concentrates people’s eyes, hearts and minds on the universe and its great phenomena: the heavens and the earth, mountains and valleys, night and day, sun and moon. It draws their attention to the unity of the laws that govern all these and conduct their affairs, and how this unity provides powerful evidence of the unity of the Creator who owns this vast universe. No partner has He in His kingdom, in the same way as He has no partner in its creation: “Had there been in heaven or on earth any deities other than God, both would surely have fallen into ruin!” (Verse 22)

本章还提请我们注意支配地球生命的各种现象的统一性，以及生命之源的统一性："我用水造出一切生物。"（第30节）所有生物都将面临同样的终结："每个灵魂都将尝到死亡的滋味。"（第35节）它们随后也将走向同一个归宿："你们都将被召归于我。"（第35节）

The sūrah also draws our attention to the unity of the phenomena which govern life on earth and the unity of the source of life: “We have made out of water every living thing.” (Verse 30) All living things will face the same end: “Every soul shall taste death.” (Verse 35) They will then arrive at the same destiny: “To Us you all must return.” (Verse 35)

信仰与这些重大的普遍现象紧密相连。尽管真主派遣了许多使者向世人传达信仰，但这仍是同一种信仰：“在你之前，我从未派遣任何使者，而不启示他：除我之外，别无应受崇拜的主。所以你们当崇拜我。”（第21章第25节）真主的意愿是，所有使者都是人类：“在你之前，我只派遣了我所启示的男人做使者。”（第16章第43节）

Faith is closely linked to these major universal phenomena. It is the same faith, even though many messengers have been sent to convey it to people: “Before your time We never sent a messenger without having revealed to him that there is no deity other than Me. Therefore, you shall worship Me alone.” (Verse 25) It is God’s will that all messengers were human beings: “Before your time, We never sent [as Our messengers] any but men whom We inspired.” (Verse 7)

正如信仰与宇宙中的重大现象紧密相连，信仰的倡导者在这个世界上可能遭遇的情况也是如此。有一条从不失灵的规律：真理终将胜利，谬误必被消除，因为真理是普遍的实在，它的胜利是神的定律。“我们以真理攻击虚妄，真理便将它摧毁，虚妄便消逝了。”（第18节）同样，否认真理的不义者必然覆灭，但神会拯救祂的使者和信士：“我已应验了我对他们的许诺，我曾拯救了他们和我所意欲拯救的人，我毁灭了过分的人。”（第9节）神虔诚的仆人终将成为大地的继承者：“在《训诫》之后，我在《诗篇》中写道：‘我的善仆必将继承大地。’”（第105节）

Just like faith is closely linked to major universal phenomena, the same applies to what the advocates of faith may encounter in this world. The rule that never fails is that the truth will ultimately triumph and falsehood will be wiped out, because the truth is a universal reality and its victory is a divine law: “We hurl the truth against falsehood, and it crushes the latter, and behold, it withers away.” (Verse 18) By the same token, the wrongdoers who deny the truth are bound to be destroyed, but God will save His messengers and the believers: “ We fulfilled Our promise to them, and We saved them and all whom We willed [to save], and We destroyed those who transgressed beyond bounds.” (Verse 9) God’s devoted servants are the eventual heirs of the earth: “We wrote in the Psalms, after the Reminder [given to Moses] that ‘the righteous among My servants shall inherit the earth.” (Verse 105)

随后，本章简要回顾了追随真主使者的那个统一的民族。对易卜拉欣、达五德和素莱曼的故事，本章停留较久，加以反思；而对努哈、穆萨、哈伦、鲁特、易司马仪、伊德里斯、祖勒基福勒、优努斯、宰凯里雅、叶哈雅和尔撒，则只作简短提及（愿他们都得到平安）。本章前面已作为一般原则和现象论及的一些问题，在这一回顾中又以真主使者及其追随者所遭遇的实际事件的形式再次体现出来。

The sūrah then presents a quick review of the single community that has followed God’s messengers. It pauses long to reflect on the stories of Abraham, David and Solomon, but makes only brief references to Noah, Moses, Aaron, Lot, Ishmael, Idrīs, Dhu’l-Kifl, Jonah, Zachariah, John and Jesus, (peace be upon them all). Some of the issues, already tackled in the sūrah as general rules and phenomena, are reflected again in this review in the form of practical events encountered by God’s messengers and their followers.

这一章的行文脉络中，也包含了一些关于审判日的场景，在这些场景中，我们再次看到前面所阐述的同样含义和概念，成为那伟大日子里的现实。

The flow of the sūrah also includes some scenes of the Day of Judgement in which we find the same meanings and concepts reflected again as part of the reality of that great day.

由此可见,这一章中变化多样的韵律节奏,都服务于同一个目的:唤醒人的心智,使其认识到上主最后一位使者所传信仰的真理。人若沉溺于嬉戏,漠然转身,对此置若罔闻,便无法领受这一讯息,正如开篇经文所描述的那样:"人们的清算日益临近,他们却依然漫不经心地背转身去。"

We see, then, how varying cadences employed in the sūrah serve the same purpose of alerting the human mind so that it recognizes the truth of the faith preached by the last of God’s messengers. For people cannot receive the message while indulging in play, turning away and paying little heed to it, as they are described in the opening verses: “Closer to people draws their reckoning, yet they continue to blithely turn away.

“每当他们的主有新的训诫降临他们时，他们只是听着，却当作游戏，他们的心沉溺于嬉戏。”（第1-3节）

Whenever there comes to them any new reminder from their Lord, they listen to it but take it in jest; their hearts set on pleasure.” (Verses 1-3)

这一伊斯兰的信息既真实又严肃，正如这个宇宙是真实而严肃的一样。因此，在接受真主的信息时，不应有戏谑和玩笑，也不应像要求神迹作为证据那样提出要求。宇宙及其运行现象中处处都有神迹般的证据。这一切都证实，真主是唯一拥有掌控万物之权能的创造者，而这一信息唯独来自于祂。

This message of Islam is both true and serious, in the same way as this universe is true and serious. Therefore, there may be no jest and play in receiving God’s message, as in making demands for miraculous evidence. Evidence of a miraculous nature is available everywhere in the universe and its operative phenomena. It all confirms that God is the only creator who has power over all things, and that the message comes from Him alone.

就其表达方式和节奏而言，本章运用了与其主题和氛围最为契合的陈述性语句。将其与前面两章《麦尔彦》和《Ţā Hā》的风格相比，这一点便显而易见。

As for its mode of expression and its rhythm, the sūrah employs factual statements which best suit its subject matter and ambience. This is clearly apparent when we compare its style with that employed in the preceding two sūrahs, Maryam and Ţā Hā.

在这两首作品中,节奏都很柔和,因此更契合它们整体的氛围。

In both these, the rhythm is soft, and hence more suited to their overall atmosphere.

这一点在两处对易卜拉欣先知故事的叙述中，表现得更加清楚。在《麦尔彦章》中，这段故事以易卜拉欣与其父亲之间的长篇对话形式呈现；而在本章中，我们看到的是易卜拉欣摧毁其族人所崇拜的偶像，随后被投入火中。因此，两处的主题、风格与节奏都达到了完美的和谐。

Here the rhythm is stronger, to fit its message. This is even clearer when we look at the way the story of the Prophet Abraham is related in Maryam and in this sūrah. In the former, the episode is given in the form of an expansive dialogue between Abraham and his father, whereas here we see Abraham’s destruction of the idols worshipped by his people, and his subsequently being thrown in the fire. Thus, the subject matter, the style and the cadence achieve complete harmony in both instances.

本章经文分为四个鲜明的段落。第一段以有力的开篇起始,其节奏强烈,足以震撼人心,并警示人们即将面临的危险,而他们对此仍毫无察觉:“人们的清算日越来越近,他们却仍漠然地背过脸去。”(第1节)接着,经文描述了早先的民族因背弃真主的启示、沉溺于不义之中而遭受的下场:“多少行恶的城邦,被我们摧毁了,我们在它们之后又创造了另一族人。”(第11节)

This sūrah flows in four distinctive rounds. The first starts with a powerful opening that creates strong beats to shake people’s hearts and alert them to the danger they will shortly face, while they remain oblivious to it: “Closer to people draws their reckoning, yet they continue to blithely turn away.” (Verse 1) This is followed by a scene of the fate suffered by earlier communities for turning their backs on God’s messages, leading a life of wrongdoing: “How many a community that persisted in evil- doing have We dashed into fragments, and raised another people in their stead?” (Verse 11)

伊斯兰的讯息与统御宇宙的体系，都建立在真理与严肃之上。本章将这二者与以真主独一为基础的信仰，以及宇宙中运作的各种现象联系在一起。本章还把这一切与造物主的合一相连——祂掌管万物；与神圣讯息和信仰的合一相连；以及与生命之源、生命的终结与归宿之合一相连。

Both the message of Islam and the system that governs the universe are based on truth and seriousness, which are here linked to the faith based on God’s oneness and to the phenomena operating in the universe. The sūrah also links all this with the unity of the Creator who is in control of all things, the unity of the divine message and faith, and the unity of the source of life, its end and destiny.

第二轮考察的是那些嘲弄神的使者的不信道者,而他所告诉他们的事情是极其严肃的。他们周围的一切都要求人们密切关注、保持警觉。他们要求加速降临他们的惩罚,而惩罚其实已经近在眼前。此时,这一章描绘了审判日的场景,提醒他们注意那些曾经嘲弄神的使者及其讯息的先人所遭遇的事情。它非常清楚地告诉他们,他们无法得到任何庇护,躲避神的惩罚。它呼吁他们思考神的大能,神从大地的四边缩减它,使其面积逐渐减少。如果他们能够这样思考,或许就能醒悟过来,认识到他们长久以来所忽视的、等待着他们的命运。

The second round examines the unbelievers who hurled ridicule at God’s Messenger while the matter he spoke to them about was very serious. Everything around them calls for close attention and alertness. They call for their punishment to be hastened, when it is close at hand. At this point the sūrah portrays a scene of the Day of Judgement, drawing their attention to what befell those before them who ridiculed God’s messengers and their messages. It tells them very clearly that they enjoy no protection against God’s punishment. It calls on them to reflect on God’s power as He shrinks the earth from its edges, reducing its area. Should they so reflect, they may wake up to what awaits them after having long been oblivious to it.

本回合以一条指示结束,命令先知说明自己的使命:“你说:‘我只是依据启示向你们警告。’”(第45节)他还提醒他们,由于如此漠然,他们正使自己陷入危险:“但是,聋子无论被警告多少次,都听不到这呼唤。”(第45节)结果是,他们将继续对呈现在面前的一切置之不理,直到在末日被清算。

This round concludes with a directive to the Prophet to outline his task: “Say: I do but warn you on the strength of divine revelation!” (Verse 45) He also alerts them to the danger to which they expose themselves by being so oblivious: “But the deaf cannot hear this call, however often they are warned.” (Verse 45) The result is that they will continue to pay no attention to what is presented to them until they are called to account on the Day of Judgement.

第三轮回顾了追随真主众先知的唯一信众群体。这一回顾体现了信息与信仰的统一。

The third round provides a review of the single community of believers who followed God’s prophets. This review reflects the unity of the message and the faith.

它也描绘了真主赐予祂虔诚仆人的恩典，以及祂对否认真理之人的惩罚。

It also portrays the grace God bestows on His righteous servants and His punishment of those who deny the truth.

在第四个也是最后一轮中，每个人最终的归宿都通过审判日这一跌宕起伏的场景得以描绘。该章以有力的节奏收尾，在任由不信道者走向其不可避免的毁灭之前，给出了明确的警告。

In the fourth and final round, everyone’s eventual destiny is described in an eventful scene of the Day of Judgement. The sūrah closes with a strong beat, a clear warning before leaving the unbelievers to their inevitable doom.