有些报道认为这一章是在麦地那降示的，但它实际上是麦加启示。考虑到它的主题、行文脉络以及其他特征，其麦加性质非常明显。因此，我们更倾向于那些表明它是在麦加降示的报道。

Some reports suggest that this surah was revealed in Madinah, but it is a Makkan revelation. Its Makkan character is indeed very obvious considering its subject matter, its flow and other characteristics. Hence, we give more credence to those reports stating its revelation in Makkah.

事实上，从本章的行文来看，有迹象表明它是麦加时期较早降示的章节之一。例如，其中对来世幸福与惩罚的详细描绘，命令先知保持耐心、等待主的裁决，不要顺从他们中任何罪人或不信者。这些正是麦加启示一贯强调的内容，尤其是在对伊斯兰讯息的传播者迫害日益严酷的时候。此外，先知被勉励坚守所领受的真理，任由不信者暂缓，但不要倾向于他们或听从他们。类似的命令见于本卷中的第68、73和74章，与本章中的命令相似。因此，本章在麦地那降示的可能性很小，最好予以排除。

In fact, there are indications in the way it runs suggesting that it was among the earlier surahs to be revealed in Makkah. We may cite for example the detailed images of happiness and torment in the life to come, the directive given to the Prophet to remain patient, awaiting his Lord’s judgement, and not to obey any sinner or unbeliever from among them. These are the things Makkan revelations always emphasized, particularly when the persecution of the advocates of the Islamic message was becoming fierce. Moreover, the Prophet is encouraged to hold firmly to the truth he has been given, allowing the unbelievers respite but not to incline to or listen to them. Such directives are found in Surahs 68, 73 and 74 in this volume. These directives are similar to the ones found in this surah. Therefore, the possibility that it was revealed in Madinah is remote and better discounted.

总体而言，这一章是一篇平和的劝诫，鼓励人们归向真主，服从祂，寻求祂的喜悦，记念祂的恩典，努力避开祂的惩罚，时刻警觉祂对仆人的考验，并理解祂在创造、施恩、考验以及给予不信者宽限之中的智慧。

In totality, the surah is a calm address encouraging people to turn to God, obey Him, seek His pleasure, remember His favours, work to avoid His punishment, maintain alertness to the test He puts His servants to and understand His wisdom in creation, bestowing favours, testing and giving the unbelievers respite.

这一章以一个发人深省的问题开篇：人在来到这个世界之前在哪里？是谁赋予了他存在？又是谁在他原本一无所有之后，赐予他现今在世上所处的地位？"人类经过了一段漫长的时间，那时他还不是可以被提及的东西，这难道不是吗？"（第1节） 接着是第二个触动，讲述人类的起源，以及真主在人的创造中所显现的智慧，以及祂赐予人的精力与官能："我确已用一滴混合的精液创造了人，以便考验他；因此，我使他有听觉和视觉。"（第2节） 第三个触动讲到真主引导人走上正道，给予他帮助使他沿着这条道路前行，然后才任由他选择自己想走的道路，以及他想要达到的归宿。

The surah begins with an inspiring touch, asking the question: where was man before coming into this life? Who gave him his existence? Who gave him the position he occupies in this life after he had none: “ Was there not a period of time when man was not yet something to be thought of?” (Verse 1) This is followed by a second touch speaking about mans origins and Gods wisdom manifested in his creation and His giving him his energies and faculties: “We have created man from a drop of mingled fluid, so that We might try him. Therefore, we have endowed him with hearing and sight.” (Verse 2) The third touch speaks of guiding man to the right way, giving him help to go along this way before leaving him to choose the way he wants to go and the fate he wants to end up with:

“我已为他指明了道路，[让他]或感恩或忘恩。”（第3节）这三处触动，使人心深入思索，回顾过去，展望未来，然后反复斟酌，再选择前行的方向。随后，此章为站在十字路口的人给出了明确的劝告：警告他不要走通向火狱的道路，并以各种方式鼓励他走向天堂，同时指出那里等待着他的种种丰厚的喜乐。

“ We have shown him the way, [giving him the choice] to be thankful or ungrateful.” (Verse 3) These three touches set the human heart thinking deeply, glancing back and casting a look forward, and then reflecting before choosing which way to go. Then the surah gives clear advice to man as he stands at the crossroads, warning him against taking the way leading to hell and encouraging him in every way to take the way to heaven, pointing to the great variety of pleasure that awaits him there:

“我们为不信道者准备了锁链、枷锁和烈火。善良的人将饮用掺有樟脑的杯中之酒，那是一道泉水，真主的仆人们将饮用它，并使它汩汩涌流。”（第4—6节）

“For the unbelievers, we have prepared chains and shackles, and a blazing fire. The righteous shall drink from a cup mixed with kafur, a fountain where God's servants shall drink, making it flow in abundance.” (Verses 4—6)

在完整描述信士们将享有的福乐之前，这一章先勾勒出那些正义之人的品性特征。

Before completing its description of what believers will enjoy, the surah now draws a sketch showing the features of those righteous people.

它使用了一些精妙的措辞，与这些人在天堂中享有的极乐完美契合：{他们是践行誓愿、敬畏那灾祸四处弥漫之日的人，他们虽自己也有所需，仍把食物给予贫穷的人、孤儿和俘虏，［心中自语道：］“我们给你们食物，只是为了求得真主的喜悦。我们不要你们的报酬，也不要你们的感谢。我们畏惧主的日子，那是愁苦、艰难的一日。”}（第7—10节）

In so doing, it uses some fine words and expressions that are in perfect harmony with the splendid bliss these people enjoy in heaven: “They are the ones who fulfil their vows and stand in awe of a day of woes that fly far and wide, who give food - though they need it themselves - to the needy, the orphan and the captive, [saying within themselves,] 'We feed you for the sake of God alone. We desire neither recompense from you, nor thanks. We fear the day of our Lord: a bleak, distressful day” (Verses 7—10)

接着，这一章介绍了赐予那些甘愿承担艰难责任、畏惧那愁苦严峻之日、即便自己也有所需却仍把食物施予他人的慷慨之人的报酬，并且这些人只求主的喜悦，不指望从任何人那里得到回报。正如本章所描述的，这是一种安宁、幸福与完美享受的报酬：“真主将使他们免受那一日的苦难，赐予他们光彩与喜悦，并因他们在逆境中的忍耐，以乐园和丝绸［的衣裳］作为报酬。他们将在那里倚靠柔软的卧榻，既不感到灼热的烈日，也不感到严寒。乐园的树荫将低垂覆盖他们，果实累累的枝条将垂下，触手可及。”

The surah then presents the reward which will be given to these people who willingly attend to difficult duties, who fear the bleak, grim day, the generous who feed others despite themselves being in need, and who only seek Gods pleasure, hoping for no reward from anyone else. As the surah presents this, we find that it is a reward of security, happiness and perfect enjoyment: “God will save them from the woes of that day, and will grant them radiance and joy, and will reward them for their patience in adversity with a garden and [garments of] silk. They will recline there on soft couches, feeling neither burning sun nor severe cold. Its shades will come low over them, and its clusters of fruit will hang low, within easy reach.

会有人用银盘和杯子给他们端上食物和饮料，那些杯子像水晶一样晶莹剔透，却是用白银制成的，其容量由他们自己来决定。他们将被赐予一杯掺有姜味的饮品，那是从名为“赛勒萨比勒”的泉水中取来的。侍奉他们的是永恒不老的少年。你若看见他们，会以为他们是散落的珍珠。你若环顾四周，只会看到幸福和广阔的王国。他们将穿上细软的绿色丝绸和织锦衣服，佩戴银手镯。他们的主将赐予他们最纯净的饮料。这是对你们的回报，你们的努力已蒙悦纳。（第11-22节）

They will be served with silver plates and goblets that seem to be crystal, crystal-clear, but made of silver, the measure of which they are the ones to determine. They will be given to drink of a cup flavoured with ginger, from a spring there called Salsabil. They will be waited upon by immortal youths. If you see them, you would think they were scattered pearls. If you were to look around, you would see only bliss and a vast kingdom. They shall be arrayed in garments of fine green silk and brocade; and adorned with bracelets of silver. And their Lord will give them a most pure drink. This is a reward for you. Your endeavours are well appreciated. (Verses 11-22)

这一章接着对先知说话，鼓励他坚定立场，面对那些背离正道、执迷不悟、否认真理的人，依然坚持。他被命令在这一切的逆境中保持耐心，等待真主的裁决。当他觉得前方的路途太过漫长时，应当与他的主保持联系，从祂那里获得力量：“是我把《古兰经》逐步启示给你的。你应当耐心地等待你的主的判决，不要听从那些罪人和不信道者中任何人的话。你应当早晚纪念你主的名。夜间你应当向祂叩拜，并在漫长的黑夜里赞颂祂无限的荣耀。”（23-26节）

The surah then addresses the Prophet encouraging him to stand firm in the face of those who turn away, persist in disbelief and deny the truth. He is directed to remain patient in the face of all this adversity and to await Gods judgement. He should maintain his tie with his Lord, deriving strength from Him whenever he feels that the road he has to travel is too long: “It is We who have bestowed the Quran upon you by gradual revelation. Await, then, your Lord's judgement in all patience, and pay no heed to any of these sinners and unbelievers. Remember your Lord's name morning and evening. At night prostrate yourself before Him, and extol His limitless glory throughout the long night." (Verses 23-26)

总之,本章提醒不信道者,那沉重的日子是他们所不顾及的。这正是敬畏者所惧怕、并努力防范其刑罚的日子。本章告诉他们,在赐予他们所拥有的一切权能的真主面前,他们算不得什么严重的问题,真主能够用别人来取代他们。真主为了考验世人的意愿,而赐予他们恩惠。本章最后简要提及这次考验的结果:"这些人喜爱短暂的今世,把沉重的日子抛在身后。是我创造了他们,并使他们的体魄坚强。如果我愿意,我可以用与他们同类的人完全取代他们。这只是一种提醒。谁愿意,就让他走向他的主的道路。但你们除非是真主意欲,否则便不能意欲。真主确是全知的,是至睿的。他使他所意欲的人进入他的慈恩;至于不义者,他已为他们预备了严厉的刑罚。"(第27-31节)

In conclusion, the surah reminds the unbelievers of the heavy day that they do not reckon with. This is the day feared by the righteous who are keen to guard against its punishment. It tells them that they represent no serious issue to God who gave them all the power they have and is able to replace them with others. He bestows His favours on them in fulfilment of His wish to put people to the test. The surah ends with a brief mention of the results of this test: “ These people love the fleeting life, and leave behind them a day that will be heavy. It is We who have created them and strengthened their constitution. If it be Our will, We can replace them entirely with others of their kind. This is but a reminder. Let him who will, take the way to his Lord. Yet you cannot will except by the will of God. God is indeed All-Knowing, Wise. He admits to His grace whoever He will, but for the wrongdoers He has prepared grievous suffering.” (Verses 27-31)

这一章经文以提醒人是如何被造开始，以及真主如此创造他是为了让他接受考验的安排，结尾则是这一考验的结果，即真主在造物之初所确定的结局。因此，开头与结尾都指向对生命的周密而精心的规划。当人漫不经心、不知自己在接受考验时的生命目的，而他又已被赋予了帮助他通过这一考验的各种能力时，他的表现便会非常糟糕。

The surah begins with a reminder of how man comes into existence and Gods design in so originating him to undergo a test, and it concludes with the outcome of this test, as determined by God at the point of origination. Thus, the beginning and the end point to the deliberate and elaborate planning of life. Man performs very badly if he remains heedless, unaware of the purpose of his life when he is being put to a test, and has been equipped with the faculties that help him pass this test.

在开篇与结尾之间，这一章对天堂居民所获恩惠的描述是最长的之一，若把第56章也算在内，或许可说是其中最长的。这些恩惠大多是物质性的，但同时伴随着真主的悦纳与他所赐予的尊荣。

Between the opening and close, the surah gives the longest, or perhaps one of the longest if we take Surah 56 into account, description of the blessings granted to the people of heaven. These are mostly material, but they are coupled with Gods acceptance and the honour He grants.

这段描述如此详尽，表明它属于麦加时期的启示，因为其讲述的对象是刚刚皈依伊斯兰教的人，他们此前生活在蒙昧无知（jahiliyyah）之中，并且沉迷于物质享受。

The fact that this description is so detailed points to its being a Makkan revelation, because the addressees were newcomers to Islam, having lived in jahiliyyah, or ignorance. They were fond of material luxuries.

他们会对其前景印象深刻。总有人会为这类享受而倾心贪求。上主最了解祂的受造物，知道什么适合他们，什么能深深触动他们的心灵与思想。确实有一种更高尚、更精妙的幸福与喜悦，如前面的《复活》章所提到的："那日，有些面孔将焕发喜悦，凝望他们的主。"（75：22-23）

They would be very impressed with its prospect. There will always be people who store much by such luxuries. God knows His creation best, and knows what suits them and what has a deep effect on their hearts and minds. There is definitely a higher and more refined type of happiness and joy, such as the one mentioned in the preceding surah, The Resurrection: “Some faces will on that day be radiant with happiness, looking towards their Lord.” (75: 22-23)