该章节所讨论的第一个主要议题，是阐明那些拒绝以唯独顺服真主为基础的伊斯兰信仰之人的本质，并揭示他们这样做的真实动机。它也描述了等待这些不信者的可怕结局。该章分几轮来处理这一主题，运用了不同的题材和手法，例如叙事、对宇宙景象和审判日景象的展示，以及在所讲述故事之前或之后的训导与评论。
The first major topic the sūrah tackles highlights the nature of those who reject this faith of Islam, based on submission to God alone, and outlines their true motives for so doing. It also describes the terrible fate that awaits such unbelievers. The sūrah tackles this in several rounds, employing different subjects and techniques, such as narrative, an exhibition of scenes of the universe and scenes of the Day of Judgement, and directives and comments that either precede or follow the stories it relates.
虽然第13章《雷霆》的总体氛围让人想起第6章《牲畜》，但本章的总体氛围则让人想起第7章《高处》。两章都以严肃的警告开篇，全章也都对此加以印证。不过，这两章在方法上差别很大。
While the general atmosphere of Sūrah 13, Thunder, reminds us of Sūrah 6, Cattle, the general atmosphere of this sūrah reminds us of Sūrah 7, The Heights. Both begin with a serious warning, and the whole sūrah confirms it. The two sūrahs, however, differ greatly in their method.
《古兰经》第七章开头的警告表述得非常明确：“这是一部降示给你的经典——你不要对它有任何疑虑——以便你借它警告众人，并劝诫信士们。你们当遵从主所降示你们的启示，不要追随主以外的保护者。你们很少觉悟。我毁灭过多少城市，我的惩罚降临它们，或在夜间，或在中午它们休息的时候。当我的惩罚降临它们时，它们所能说的只是：‘我们确是不义的人。’”（7:
The warning at the beginning of Sūrah 7 is stated very clearly: “This is a book that has been bestowed on you from on high — so do not entertain any doubt about it — in order that you may warn people with its message, and admonish the believers. Follow what has been sent down to you by your Lord, and follow no masters other than Him. How seldom do you keep this in mind. How many a community have We destroyed, with Our punishment falling upon them by night, or at midday while they were resting. And when Our punishment fell upon them, all they could say was: ‘We have indeed been wrongdoers.’“ (7:
2-5) 此章随后讲述了阿丹与易卜劣厮的故事,并延伸至今世人类在地上的生命终结、人们回归主前、先前所发的警告得以应验的情景。接着是宇宙的一些景象,包括天地、昼夜、太阳、月亮和星辰、风、云、水以及果实。此后,经文讲述了众先知努哈、胡德、萨利赫、鲁特、舒阿卜和穆萨的故事,这些故事都印证了警告的真实。
2-5) The sūrah then relates the story of Adam and Iblīs, following it to its conclusion when human life on earth comes to an end and people return to their Lord where the warnings given to them will be fulfilled. This is then followed by some scenes of the universe, including images of the heavens and earth, night and day, the sun, moon and stars, the wind, clouds, water and fruit. Thereafter, we are given the stories of the Prophets Noah, Hūd, Şāliĥ, Lot, Shu`ayb and Moses, all of which confirm the warning.
在这一章中，警告一开始就给出，但它带着一种持续的神秘气氛，以加强其效果，使人在期待那可怕的命运时心生畏惧：
Here in this sūrah, the warning is given at the beginning, but it is given a continuous air of mystery to enhance its effect in anticipation of the fearful destiny:
“这些是经典的迹象，是明白的经文。不信道者常常希望自己也曾是穆斯林。任他们吃喝享受，任希望使他们迷惑吧！他们终将知道。我从未毁灭过任何一个城镇，除非它有已被告知的经定之期。任何民族都不能提前它的期限，也不能推迟它。”（第1-5节）
“These are the verses of the Book, a clear discourse. Little do those who disbelieve wish that they were Muslims. Let them eat and enjoy themselves, and let their hopes beguile them. For they will surely come to know [the truth]. Never have We destroyed any community unless divine revelations have been made known to it. No community can ever forestall its term, nor can they delay it.” (Verses 1-5)
然后，本章提到宇宙中的一些景象：天空与星座、被铺展开的大地及其上稳固的山峦、显示造化均衡之法的植物、充满水汽的风、水与饮用，以及全人类的生、死与复活。接着叙述阿丹与易卜劣厮的故事，直至所有信士与不信者的归宿。
The sūrah then refers to some scenes from the universe: the heavens and the constellations, the expanded earth and the mountains set firm on it, the plants that demonstrate a balanced method of creation, the winds full of moisture, water and drinking, and the life, death and resurrection of all mankind. This is followed by the story of Adam and Iblīs leading up to the destinies of all believers and unbelievers.
接下来是对易卜拉欣、鲁特、舒阿卜和萨利赫故事的简要提及，每一处都着重强调不信者的结局。这里需要指出，阿拉伯人知道这些民族遗留下来的废墟，因为他们在传统的商旅路线上前往叙利亚时，经过了这些地方。
Then we have brief references to the stories of Abraham, Lot, Shu`ayb and Şāliĥ, with the emphasis being placed on the destiny of unbelievers in each case. We note here that the Arabs were aware of the ruins left by these communities, as they passed by them on their traditional journeys to Syria.
这两章的主线相同，但各自都有其独特之处。
The main line in both sūrahs is the same, but each has its own special features.
它们的节奏相似，但并不完全相同。这正是《古兰经》所遵循的体系：它以多种方式论述其主题，这些方式在某些方面可能相似，在另一些方面却截然不同，并且从不重复，也从不允许彼此完全相同。
Their rhythm is similar, but not identical. This is the system followed by the Qur’ān, tackling its topics in a variety of ways that may be similar in some aspects but totally different in others, and where they are never repeated or allowed to be identical.
这一章可以分为五个部分，每一部分都包含一个特定的主题。
The sūrah can be divided into five sections, each of which includes a specific topic.
第一部分阐明了真主为其启示及人们对待启示的态度（或接受并信仰，或拒绝）所设立的法则。这一部分以一个笼罩着神秘色彩的隐含警告开始："这些是天经的迹象，是明白的经典。不信道者常希望自己是穆斯林。你让他们吃喝享受吧，让希望迷惑他们吧！他们终将知道。"（第2-3节）这一部分最后指出，不信道者出于顽固而拒绝这一启示，而并非因为缺乏足以引导他们信仰的证据："即使我为他们打开通往天堂的门，让他们逐层升上去，他们仍必说：'我们的眼睛只是被迷惑了，实在是我们被施了魔法。'"（第14-15节）
The first explains the law that God has set in operation concerning His message and people’s attitudes to it, either accepting and believing in it or rejecting it. This starts with an implicit warning which is covered with mystery: “These are the verses of the Book, a clear discourse. Little do those who disbelieve wish that they were Muslims. Let them eat and enjoy themselves, and let their hopes beguile them. For they will surely come to know [the truth].” (Verses 2-3) This section ends with a statement that the unbelievers reject the message out of stubbornness, not because they do not have sufficient evidence to lead them to faith: “If We opened for the unbelievers a gateway to heaven and they had ascended higher and higher, still they would surely say: ‘It is only our eyes that are spellbound! Indeed, we must have been bewitched.’“ (Verses 14-15)
“的确，我在你之前已派遣使者到古代的民族中，但每当有使者来到他们那里时，他们都嘲笑他。这样，我就使这种嘲弄（即对启示的轻慢）潜入有罪者的心中，他们不信仰它，尽管古代民族的先例已经在他们之前过去了。”（第10至13节）
They are all of the same type: “Indeed We have sent before you messengers to communities of old, but whenever a messenger came to any of them they mocked at him. Thus do We cause it [i.e. this scorn of the revelation] to slip into the hearts of the guilty, who do not believe in it, although the ways of ancient communities have gone before them.” (Verses 10- 13)
第二部分描述了上主在宇宙中所设置的一些迹象，包括天上、地上以及两者之间的一切。这些都是依照上主精确的智慧，并按照确定的尺度而设立的："我确已在天上设置了星座，并为观看者装饰了它。我也保护它们，使其不受每个被诅咒的恶魔侵扰；凡偷听的，都会被一道明亮的火焰追逐。我铺展了大地，在其上安置了坚固的山岳，并使各种生物在其上以均衡的方式生长。我在地上为你们以及你们不必供养的人安排了各种生计。万物的宝藏都在我这里；我只依照确定的尺度降下它。我吹送负载水汽的风，然后从天上降下雨水，给你们饮用。你们并不是储存它的人。"（第16-22节）
The second section portrays some of the signs God has placed in the universe, both in the heavens and the earth and in between. All of these have been set in accordance with God’s precise wisdom, and according to a definite measure: “We have indeed set up in the heavens constellations, and endowed them with beauty for all to behold, and We have guarded them from every cursed devil, so that anyone who tries to eavesdrop is pursued by a flame clear to see. We have spread out the earth, and placed on it firm mountains, and caused [life] of every kind to grow on it in a balanced manner. We have placed various means of livelihood on it for you, as well as for those whom you do not have to provide for. There is not a thing but with Us are its storehouses; and We send it down only in accordance with a defined measure. We send forth winds heavily loaded, then We send down water from the skies for you to drink. You are not the ones who store it up.” (Verses 16-22)
万物终将回归真主，回归于真主所定、真主所知的时刻：{“是我使人生，使人死，我是万物的继承者。我确知你们之前的人，也确知你们之后的人。你的主必将把他们全部召集起来，他确是至睿的，确是全知的。”}（第23至25节）
It is to God that everyone and everything returns at the time appointed and known to God: “It is We who give life and cause death, and it is We who are the inheritors [of all things]. Well do We know those who lived before you and those who will come after you. Your Lord will gather them all together. He is indeed Wise, All-Knowing.” (Verses 23- 25)
第三部分讲述人类的故事，以及遵循正道或舍弃正道、转而追随迷误之路的根源。它还展示了遵循真主指引者与拒绝指引者各自的结局。这体现在亚当被用泥土创造，随后真主将他的灵魂吹入其中，以及迷惑世人的易卜劣思的傲慢之中。
The third section delivers the story of mankind and the origins of following right guidance or abandoning it in order to follow erring ways. It also shows the fates of those who follow God’s guidance and those who reject it. This is shown in the way Adam was created out of clay before God breathed of his soul into him, and the arrogance of Iblīs who leads people astray.
第四部分讲述了鲁特、舒阿卜和萨利哈民族所遭受的命运。它以以下经文开头：“你告诉我的仆人们，我确是至赦的，确是至慈的；而且，我的刑罚确是最痛苦的刑罚。”（第49-50节）
The fourth section relates the fates suffered by the peoples of Lot, Shu`ayb and Şāliĥ. It starts with the verses: “Tell My servants that I alone am Much Forgiving, truly Merciful; and also, My punishment is indeed the most grievous suffering.” (Verses 49-50)
这些故事接连叙述，展示了真主对易卜拉欣和鲁特的怜悯，以及祂对鲁特的民众、舒艾卜的民众和萨利赫的民众的惩罚。由此，古莱氏人得知那些曾经的民族的下场，他们在前往叙利亚的商旅途中经过这些民族的故土，那些废墟至今仍在，供他们观看。“这里面确有迹象，给那些有鉴别力的人。那些城镇座落在一条至今仍有人行走的道路上。”（第75-76节）
The stories are given in succession, showing God’s mercy to Abraham and Lot, and His punishment of the peoples of Lot, Shu`ayb and Şāliĥ. Thus the Quraysh are told of the fate of those whose lands they pass by on their trips to Syria. Their ruins are there for them to see. “Surely in this there are messages for those who read the signs. Those [towns] stood on a road that is trodden still.” (Verses 75-76)
第五节也是最后一节揭示了天地创造背后的真理，这一真理与审判日、其后的赏罚，以及先知穆罕默德ﷺ的使命相关。这是整个宇宙中的伟大真理，它关乎起源与归宿："我创造天地及其间的万物，只是出于真理。那约定的时刻必定到来。故你应当以宽恕的态度，原谅他们的过失。你的主是至知的创造者。我已经赐给你七段反复诵读的经文，和这部崇高的《古兰经》。"（第85至87节）
The fifth and final section reveals the truth that is at the heart of the creation of the heavens and the earth and how this relates to the Hour of Judgement and the reward or punishment that comes after that, and also to the message of the Prophet Muĥammad (peace be upon him). That is the great truth in the whole universe. It relates to origin and destiny: “It was only with the truth that We have created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them. The appointed Hour will certainly come. Hence overlook their faults in fair forbearance. Your Lord is the All-Knowing Creator. We have given you seven oft-repeated verses and this sublime Qur’ān.” (Verses 85-87)