我们若铭记《古兰经》是穆斯林社群的启迪之书、真诚的良师与一生的指引，便能更好地体会本段经文的价值，以及它所叙述的过往民族与社群的经历。正是借助《古兰经》，真主塑造了最初的穆斯林社群，并将践行伊斯兰生活准则的任务托付给他们。先知ﷺ去世之后，《古兰经》依然是指引，使未来的穆斯林世代为他们引领人类的使命做好准备。这正是真主应许穆斯林社群的使命：只要他们履行遵循真主指引的誓约，便使《古兰经》凌驾于一切人定法律与方法之上，真主便赋予他们这一使命。
We can better appreciate the value of this passage and the experience of past nations and communities it relates when we bear in mind that the Qur’ān is the inspiring book of the Muslim community, its sincere counsellor and guide through life. It was with the Qur’ān that God moulded the first Muslim community to which He assigned the task of implementing the Islamic code of living. After the Prophet’s death, the Qur’ān remains the guide which prepares future Muslim generations for their role of leadership of mankind. This is the role God has promised the Muslim community whenever it fulfils its pledges to follow His guidance, giving the Qur’ān supremacy over all man-made laws and methods.
《古兰经》并非仅仅是供人诵读以获得心灵慰藉的优美经文。它是一部全面的宪章，为人的一生提供教育与指引。因此，它列举了往昔民族的经历，以造福穆斯林的新一代。它特别强调在传播信仰方面的既往经验，突出信仰与现实生活中人们之间的互动。《古兰经》所展现的这些丰富经验，对启发伊斯兰的宣教者具有极大的价值。
The Qur’ān is not merely fine verses to be recited for enchantment. It is a comprehensive constitution providing education and guidance through life. Hence, it provides examples of the experience of past communities for the benefit of the new generations of Muslims. It lays special emphasis on past experience in the advocacy of faith, highlighting its interaction with people in practical life. Such wealth of experience portrayed in the Qur’ān is of great value in the enlightenment of the advocates of Islam.
这就是为什么《古兰经》包含了大量极具启发意义的历史记载。这些故事大多取材于以色列后裔的历史,其原因我们在第三章中已有讨论。在此还需补充一点:《古兰经》之所以如此突出地讲述犹太人的历史,或许是因为真主预知到,某些穆斯林世代将会经历与以色列人相似的处境。因此,祂通过揭示这段历史中可以汲取的教训,提醒他们留意可能横亘在前的种种过失。
This is the reason why the Qur’ān includes a wealth of highly inspiring historical accounts. The history of the Children of Israel provides the majority of these stories for a variety of reasons which we discussed in Chapter 3. We may add here that the prominence given to the Jewish history is perhaps due to God’s prior knowledge that some Muslim generations will be going through situations similar to those experienced by the Israelites. Therefore, He alerts them to the slips that may lie in their way by highlighting the lessons they could learn from such history.
穆斯林世代应当非常认真地阅读《古兰经》，将其视为当下的指引，用以指导我们如何应对当前的问题，并规划未来的道路。其中的历史叙述并非为了无关紧要的学术研究而降示。
Muslim generations should read the Qur’ān very carefully, treating it as guidance provided today to show us how to deal with our present problems and to chart our future course. Its historical accounts are not provided for inconsequential academic study.
我们若不以寻求指引我们当下与未来生活的意图来诵读《古兰经》,便无法从中获益,正如最初的穆斯林群体所做的那样。当我们以这种方式接近《古兰经》时,必定能在其中找到我们所寻求的东西,并获得远超我们想象的、更加卓越的收获。它的言辞、表述与训诫都将变得鲜活,给予我们所需的一切指引。它会向我们指明应当做什么、应当避免什么,应当采取哪些防范,谁是我们的朋友,谁是我们的敌人。它会以详尽而完整的论述,涵盖可能降临于我们身上的一切事情。如此,我们便能在《古兰经》中找到生命与喜悦。真主的话语将在我们耳边回响:"信道的人们啊!当使者召唤你们去做使你们获得生命的事情时,你们应当响应真主和使者的召唤。"(8:24)
We will not benefit by the Qur’ān unless we read it with the aim of seeking guidance for our present and future life, in the same way as the first Muslim community did. When we approach the Qur’ān in this way, we are certain to find in it what we are looking for, and we shall have something far more remarkable than we can imagine. Its words, expressions and instructions will come alive, giving us all the guidance we need. It will point out to us what to do and what to avoid, what precautions to take, who is our friend and who is our enemy. It will give us a long, elaborate discourse touching on everything that may occur to us. Thus, we will find in the Qur’ān both life and enjoyment. God’s words will ring in our ears: “Believers, respond to the call of God and the Messenger when he calls you to that which will give you life.” (8: 24)
本段经文叙述了过去民族历史中的两段事迹,旨在为穆斯林社群提供实际的教训,帮助其为前路可能遇到的情况做好准备。第一段事迹只作了简要但足够的说明,甚至没有提及当事人。他们是一大群人,试图逃避死亡而离开家园,却徒劳无功。真主使他们死去,又使他们复活,使其逃避死亡的努力化为乌有,并在他们毫不费力的情况下赐予他们新的生命。《古兰经》通过这一例证,敦促信士为真主的事业而战斗并施舍,因为真主既赐予生命和财富,也收回生命和财富。
The present passage gives an account of two episodes in the history of past nations to add to the practical lessons given to the Muslim community, as part of its preparation to face what may lie ahead on its way. The first is outlined briefly, but adequately, without even mentioning the people involved. They are a large group who tried to flee from death, leaving their homes to no avail. God caused them to die and brought them back to life, rendering their efforts to evade death futile, and giving them a new life without any effort on their part. As it shows them this example, the Qur’ān urges the believers to fight and donate for the cause of God who gives and takes away both life and wealth.
第二个教训源自以色列人在摩西去世之后的一段历史。他们背弃了神的指引，结果失去了王国，圣地遭到侵犯，并在敌人手下遭受屈辱。然而，他们的信仰之心重新觉醒，渴望为神的事业而战。他们请求他们的先知为他们立一位君王，带领他们投入这场战斗。
The second lesson is derived from an episode in the history of the Israelites after the death of Moses. Having abandoned divine guidance, they suffered the loss of their kingdom, violation of their sacred places and personal humiliation at the hands of their enemies. But then their sense of faith reawakened and they were eager to fight for God’s cause. They asked their prophet to appoint for them a king to lead them in such a fight.
《古兰经》描绘这段历史的方式极具启发性，对所有穆斯林世代，尤其对第一代穆斯林群体而言，意义尤为重大。这一事件的总体结果是：尽管以色列人表现出种种弱点，致使一批又一批人相继背离，但即使是一小群信士的坚忍，也为整个群体带来了非常巨大的成果。他们得以扭转局势，摆脱长期受敌人欺压的屈辱，取得胜利，并建立了大卫和所罗门的王国。这便是以色列人黄金时代的开端。这一切都源于信仰在长久被遗忘之后重新获得的新动力，以及一小群人面对歌利亚所率大军时的坚忍不拔。
The way the Qur’ān portrays this episode is highly inspiring and particularly significant for all Muslim generations, let alone the first Muslim community. The total sum of what had taken place on this occasion is that, despite all the weaknesses shown by the Israelites, leading to one group’s desertion after another, the steadfastness of even a small group of believers achieved very great results for the whole community. They were able to turn the tables on their enemies, shaking off their long humiliation by their enemies to achieve victory and establish the kingdom of David and Solomon. That was the beginning of the Israelites’ golden age. All this was the result of the new impetus given to faith after it remained long forgotten, and the steadfastness of a small group facing the large army led by Goliath.
有几个重要的事实在此得到强调。第一，公众的热情可能具有危险的欺骗性。因此，身居领导地位的人，在投入决定性的战役之前，必须对其加以考验。以色列人中一群睿智而受人尊敬的长老请求他们的先知为他们选立一位国王，好带领他们为真主的事业而奋斗。他们想要对抗那些蹂躏他们的王国、掠夺他们财产的敌人，其中包括先知穆萨和哈伦留下的遗物，以及他们的家园。先知想要衡量他们的决心，便提醒他们，一旦战事迫近，他们或许无法胜任。此时他们的热情达到了顶点，他们表达了自己的态度，认为自己有充分的理由去战斗："我们既被逐出家园，离开了子女，为何不为真主的事业而战呢？"（第246节）然而，他们的热情却是短暂的："但当战斗被规定给他们的时候，除了少数人之外，他们都转身退缩了。"（第246节）
A number of significant facts are highlighted here. The first is that public enthusiasm can be dangerously deceptive. Therefore, those in the position of leadership must put it to the test before going into a decisive battle. A group of wise and respected elders of the Israelites requested their prophet to choose for them a king who could lead them in their struggle for God’s cause. They wanted to fight those enemies who had ravaged their kingdom and looted their property, including what was left by their prophets, Moses and Aaron, and their household. Trying to gauge their determination, their prophet suggested that, once a battle loomed large, they might not be up to the task. Here their enthusiasm reached its highest point, and they expressed their attitude, feeling that they had every reason to fight: “Why should we not fight for the cause of God when we have been driven out of our homes and our children?” (Verse 246) Nevertheless, their enthusiasm was short lived: “Yet, when fighting was ordained for them, they turned back, save for a few of them.” (Verse 246)
尽管以色列人惯于违背诺言，但这种态度仍是一种人类的弱点，在信仰力量令人怀疑的群体中时常可以见到。
Although the Israelites habitually reneged on their promises, such an attitude remains a human weakness often encountered in communities whose strength of faith remains suspect.
另一个关于这个故事的道理是：当公众对行动的热情达到高潮时，对其实质的第一次检验应当是最终的结果。在本案例中，以色列人的大多数在他们所表达的参战愿望得到批准后便转身离去。只有少数人信守了他们对先知许下的承诺。这些人组成了扫罗的军队，此前经过了长时间的争论，争论的是他作为国王和统帅的人选，直到他们被清楚地证明这是真主的选择。然而，这些士兵中的大多数在扫罗对他们进行的第一次考验中便失败了，当时他命令他们不要喝他们即将渡过的河里的水。即便如此，剩下的少数人也没有坚持到底；他们被敌军的庞大数量吓倒，宣称自己不是对手的对手。但有一个非常小的群体对真主保持了忠诚，坚定不移。正是这一小群人扭转了局势。他们获得了胜利，并配得上他们所取得的成就。
Another aspect of the moral of the story is that when public enthusiasm for action is at a high pitch, the first test of its substance should be the final. The great majority of the Israelites in the present case turned away once their expressed desire to fight was accepted. Only a few of them remained true to the promise they gave to their prophet. These were the soldiers that formed Saul’s army after the long arguments about his choice as king and commander, and after they were clearly shown that it was God’s choice. Nevertheless, the majority of these soldiers failed the very first test to which Saul put them, when he ordered them not to drink from the river they were about to cross. Even then, the minority that remained did not persevere; they were overawed by the great numbers of the enemy force and declared that they were no match for their opponents. But a very small group kept faith with God and stood firm. It was this small group that tilted the balance. They were granted victory and were worthy of their achievement.
随着故事的展开，我们体会到由信仰驱动的坚定领导力的重要性。扫罗身上体现了所有优秀的领导品质：了解人性，反复考验士兵的忠诚，淘汰其中软弱的成分，并在逆境中坚守信念的人身上，对真主的应许怀有无限的信任。
As the story unfolds, we appreciate the importance of a resolute leadership motivated by faith. All fine leadership qualities are shown by Saul: knowledge of human nature, repeated testing of commitment of his soldiers, getting rid of the weak elements, unlimited trust in God’s promise to those who remain steadfast in the face of adversity.
此外,我们清楚地看到,真正的信士有他们自己的标准和价值观,因为他们看待当下的局势时,总是将其与上主的旨意和祂的大能这一更宏大的实在联系起来。那小群坚持与扫罗走到最后的信士,并没有忽视与庞大敌军之间的巨大悬殊。不同之处在于,这些信士同时也认识到,胜利是由上主赐予的。因此,他们真诚地转向祂祷告说:"我们的主啊,求你在患难中赐我们忍耐,使我们的脚步稳固,并使我们战胜不信道的人。"(第250节)
Moreover, we clearly see how true believers have their own standards and values, because they look at the present situation in a way that relates it to the greater reality of God’s will and His power. The great disparity with the large enemy forces was not lost on the small group of believers who persevered with Saul to the end. The difference, however, was that those believers also recognized that victory is granted by God. Hence, they turned to Him in a sincere prayer: “Our Lord, grant us patience in adversity, make firm our steps, and grant us victory over the unbelievers.” (Verse 250)
有了如此坚定的信心和正确的理解,他们理应获得那位永远有能力赐予胜利者所赐予的胜利。现在我们来更详细地看这段经文。
With such unshakeable faith, and such a proper understanding, they deserved the victory given by the One who is always able to grant victory. We will now look at the passage in more detail.