本章是在麦加降示的。它描述了多神教徒对伊斯兰所持的一些态度：他们对其论证和迹象作出轻率的回答，顽固地拒绝真理，并且肆无忌惮地追逐私欲。《古兰经》也描绘了他们的心灵被封闭，无法接受神的引导，随着自己的妄想而迷失于各种方向。然而，《古兰经》仍然不断以神的迹象与他们对质，提醒他们神的惩罚，并阐述神的赏赐以及在宇宙中运行的律法。

This surah, revealed in Makkah, describes some aspects of the reception Islam received from the idolaters. It reports their facile answers to its arguments and signs, states their stubborn rejection of the truth and shows how they unashamedly pursued desire. The Qur’an also portrays their minds as sealed to Divine guidance, straying in whatever direction their fancies led them. Yet the Qur’an continued to confront them with God’s signs, reminded them of God’s punishment and described His reward and His laws that operate in the universe.

在这一章所描述的那些在麦加反对这一讯息的人中，我们看到一群执意迷途、顽固拒绝真理、并且对真主及其启示口出狂言的人。这一章用他们应得的言辞描述了这些人，也警告他们将遭受真主严厉而屈辱的惩罚："凡是说谎的罪人，遭殃吧！他听见真主的启示被诵读给他听，却仍然傲慢地坚持不信，仿佛没有听见一样。你应当将痛苦的刑罚告诉他。他一旦知道我的启示中的任何一段，便加以嘲笑。这等人将遭受凌辱的刑罚。火狱在他们的后面，他们所获得的任何东西，以及他们舍真主而奉为保护者的任何东西，都无法为他们带来丝毫益处。他们将遭受重大的刑罚。"（第7-10节）

As the surah describes those who opposed the message in Makkah, we see a group of people who insisted on going astray, who stubbornly rejected the truth and who were rude in their description of God and His revelations. Such people are described in the surah in the terms they deserve. They are also warned against God’s grievous and humiliating punishment: “Woe betide every lying, sinful person who hears God's revelations being recited to him, and yet persists in his haughty disdain, as though he had not heard them. So, give him the news of painful suffering. When he learns something ofOur revelations, he ridicules it. For such people there is humiliating suffering in store. Hell lurks behind them; and all that they may have gained shall be of no avail whatsoever to them, nor shall any of those which they took for their protectors beside God. Grievous suffering awaits them ” (Verses 7-10)

我们还看到一群人，或许属于那些曾获得早先启示的人，但他们被恶念和错误的判断所左右。他们很少关注信仰的真理，也几乎看不出作恶者与行善者之间的区别。这一章清楚地向他们表明，在神的天平上，这两类人之间有着巨大的差别。经文称他们为妄加判断者，并明确指出，神以绝对的公正来审判众人，而这种公正自创世之初起就铭刻在宇宙的核心之中："难道那些作恶的人以为，我会把他们和信道、行善的人同等看待，无论是他们的生活还是死亡吗？他们的判断真是糟糕。神依真理创造了天地，使每个灵魂都按其所为受到报应，而没有人会受到不公的对待。"（第21-22节）

We also see a group of people, perhaps belonging to those who received earlier revelations but who were given to ill thoughts and misjudgement. They paid little attention to the truth of faith and saw little difference between those who did evil and those who did good works. The surah makes it abundantly clear to them that there is a huge difference between these two types on Gods scales. It describes them as ill-judging and makes it clear that God judges all on the basis of absolute justice, which has been ingrained within the core of the universe since the beginning of creation: “Do those who indulge in sinful deeds think that We shall place them, both in their life and their death, on an equal footing with those who believe and do righteous deeds? Flawed is their judgement. God has created the heavens and the earth in accordance with the truth, so that every soul shall be recompensed according to its deeds. None shall be wronged.” (Verses 21-22)

我们还会看到这样一类人：他们判断任何事情，除了自己的私欲之外别无准绳。对这类人来说，私欲就是他所崇拜和服从的神。这一章对这样的人表示惊讶，并宣示他们对真理视而不见：“你看那以私欲为自己的神灵，并且真知之后，真主使他迷误，封闭了他的听觉和心灵，蒙蔽了他的视觉的人，谁能在真主之后引导他呢？难道你们不觉悟吗？”（第23节）这类人完全否认后世，对复活和清算之事抱有严重的怀疑，并顽固地拒绝真理，要求提供在今世无法给出的证据。《古兰经》指示这些人去思考已经摆在面前的迹象和证据，但他们对此仍然视而不见：“他们说：‘除了我们今世的生活，没有别的，我们生，我们死，只有时光毁灭我们。’他们对此毫无所知，他们只是臆测。每当我们的明证清清楚楚地被诵读给他们听的时候，他们的唯一辩论就是说：‘如果你们说的是实话，就把我们的祖先带回来吧！’你说：‘真主使你们生存，然后使你们死亡，然后他将在毫无疑问的复活日把你们集合起来。’但大多数人并不知道。”（第24-26节）

We also see the person who has no criterion other than his own desire for judging anything. For this type, desire is the deity he worships and obeys. The surah wonders at such people and publicizes the fact that they are blind to the truth: “ Consider the one who takes his own desires as his deity, and whom God has [therefore] let go astray despite his knowledge [of the truth], sealing his ears and heart and placing a cover on his eyes: who can guide such a person after God [has abandoned him]? Will you not, then, take heed?' (Verse 23) Such people deny the life to come altogether, express grave doubts about the issue of resurrection and accountability and they stubbornly reject the truth asking for proofs that cannot be given in this life. The Qur’an directs such people to consider the signs and proofs already in place. They, however, remain oblivious to these: “ They say: 'There is nothing beyond our life in this world. We die, we live, nothing but time destroys us.9 Of this they have no knowledge whatsoever. They merely guess. Whenever Our revelations are recited to them in all their clarity, their only argument is to say: 'Bring back our forefathers, if what you claim be true.’Say: ‘It is God who gives you life, then causes you to die; and then He will gather you all on Resurrection Day of which there is no doubt, though most people do not understand. (Verses 24-26)

可以把这些描述都理解为指向同一类人。同样也可以认为，它们指的是不同的群体，这些群体在伊斯兰教于麦加传播的时期都反对伊斯兰的信息。因此，其中可能包括一些曾被赐予早期启示的人，不过在当时的麦加，这类人的数量非常少。然而，这种对先前启示拥有者的提及，不一定指向麦加的某个特定群体；它也可能只是指出一类人，提醒人们应当对他们有所认识。

It is possible to read all these descriptions as pointing to a single type of people. It is equally possible that they are different groups, all of which were opposed to the Islamic message during its period in Makkah. They would, thus, include some people to whom revelations were given in former times, but these would have been very small in number in Makkah at that time. Yet this reference to people of earlier revelations need not point to a particular group in Makkah; it may just be a pointer to a type of people that others should be made aware of.

尽管如此，《古兰经》仍然直面这些人，揭示他们的品性与行为模式。它为他们指明宇宙之中以及他们自身之内的真主迹象，警告他们终将在审判日接受清算。它也列举了前代民族背弃真主信仰后所遭遇的事情。

Be that as it may, the Qur’an confronts these people, highlighting as it does their qualities and behavioural patterns. It describes for them God’s signs all over the universe and within themselves, warning them that they will have to face the reckoning on the Day of Judgement. It also cites what happened to communities before them when they abandoned Divine faith.

首先，神的迹象以深刻、有力而朴素的方式呈现在他们面前："诸天与大地中，对于信士们确有许多迹象。你们自身中，以及动物散布在大地上的情形，对于有坚信的人们确有许多迹象。黑夜与白昼的交替，神从天空降下的给养，借以使死了的大地复活，以及风向的转变，对于能理智的人们确有许多迹象。这些是神的迹象，我们向你诵读它们，以昭示真理。他们若否认神和祂的启示，那么，他们还相信什么言论呢？"（《素勒》3-6）

In the first instance, God’s signs are put before them in a profound, effective and simple way: “Surely, in the heavens and the earth there are signs for those who believe. And in your own creation, and in the animals God scatters on earth there are signs for people of sure faith. And in the alternation of night and day, and in the means of subsistence God sends down from the skies, reviving with it the earth after it had been lifeless, and in the shifting of the winds there are signs for those who use their reason. Such are God's signs that We recount to you, setting forth the truth. In what discourse will they then believe, if they deny God and His revelations?' Jesses 3-6)

随后，该章又提到了其他的迹象，将它们展示为真主所赐予的恩典与福惠，然而否认者却没有留意这些迹象所传达的信息：“是真主为你们制服了海洋，使船只借着祂的命令在海中航行，好让你们寻求祂的恩惠，并让你们感恩。祂又将天上和地下的一切都作为祂的恩赐为你们所用。其中确有迹象，给那些懂得思考的人。”（第12-13节）

The surah then refers to other signs, showing them as blessings and favours granted by God, but the rejecters are oblivious to the message these impart: “It is God who has subjected the sea for you, so that ships sail through it by His command, and that you may seek of His bounty, and that you give thanks. And He has subjected to you, as a gift from Himself, all that is in the heavens and on earth. In this there are signs for people who think* (Verses 12-13)

该章还向否认者展示了他们在复活日将会是怎样的情形，而他们对此全然否认：“当末日来临时，那一天，追随虚妄的人必将遭受损失。你将看到每一个民族都跪伏在地。每一个民族都将被召去查看其记录：‘今天你们将因所作所为而受到报应。这本记录将依照真实情况向你们述说；因为我们一直在记录你们所做的一切。’信道并行善的人，他们的主将使他们进入其恩惠之中，那便是明显的成功。至于不信道的人，［将被问道］：”

The surah also shows the unbelievers what they will be like on the Day of Resurrection, which is something they deny altogether: “ When the Last Hour strikes, those who follow falsehood will on that Day lose all. You will see every community on its knees. Every community will be summoned to its record: ‘ Today you shall be requited for all that you did. This Our record speaks of you in all truth; for We have been recording everything you do.' Those who believed and did righteous deeds will be admitted by their Lord into His grace. That will be the manifest triumph. And as for the unbelievers, [they will be asked]:

“当我的启示向你们诵读时，你们不是傲慢自大、坚持作恶吗？当有人说：‘真主的应许必定实现，末日毫无疑问将会来临’时，你们却回答：‘我们不知道什么是末日。’”

‘When My revelations were recited to you, did you not glory in your arrogance and persist in your wicked ways? For when it was said, “God's promise will certainly come true, and there can be no doubt about the Last Hour,"you would answer, “We know nothing of the Last Hour.

"我们认为这一切都只是臆测，我们绝不相信。"他们行为的恶果将向他们显明，他们将被自己过去所嘲笑的事情所吞没。有话对他们说："今天我们将忘记你们，正如你们曾经忘记了今日这一天的到来！火狱将是你们的归宿，你们将无人救助。这是因为你们以嘲讽对待真主的启示，并让今世的生活迷惑了你们。"因此，在那一天，他们不会从火狱中被救出，也不会被给予改过补救的机会。"（第27至35节）

We think it is all conjecture, and we are by no means convinced.The evil of their deeds will become clear to them, and they will be overwhelmed by the very thing they used to deride. It will be said to them: ‘Today We shall be oblivious of you as you were oblivious of the coming of this your Day! The fire will be your abode, and you will have no one to help you. Thus it is, because you received God's revelations with ridicule and allowed the life of this world to beguile you.' Therefore, they will not be brought out of the Fire on that Day, nor will they be given a chance to make amends." (Verses 27-35)

该章毫无疑问地表明，报应是公正的，每个人都要为自己的行为负责。这一根本原则被视为宇宙的创生及其运行方式的核心："行善的，是为自己行善；作恶的，是害自己。然后，你们都要归于你们的主。"（第15节）当该章回应那些行恶却认为自己与信仰真主、行善的人处于同等地位的人时，这一点得到了进一步的阐明："真主是按照真理创造天地的，以便每个灵魂都能按其所行获得报酬。"

The surah leaves absolutely no doubt about the fairness of the requital or each persons individual responsibility. This fundamental principle is shown to be central in the way the universe came into existence and in the way it is maintained: “ Whoever does what is right benefits himself; and whoever does evil causes himself harm. In the end to your Lord you will all return." (Verse 15) This is further clarified as the surah responds to those who do evil yet consider that they will be on an equal footing with those who believe in God and do good deeds: “God has created the heavens and the earth in accordance with the truth, so that every soul shall be recompensed according to its deeds.

"任何人都不会受到不公正的对待。"（第22节）

None shall be wronged." (Verse 22)

就其论述的主题而言,这一章是一个完整的整体,但为了便于学习,我们将其分为两部分。它以两个独立的字母“哈”“米姆”开篇,并提及《古兰经》:“这部经典是由全能、至睿的真主降示的。”(第2节)它以将一切赞颂归于真主作结,真主是整个宇宙绝对的主宰。这种对真主的颂扬,与那些漠视祂的迹象、嘲笑祂的启示之人的态度形成了鲜明对比:“一切赞颂皆归真主,天地的主宰,万世的主宰。天地之间的一切至大权威唯独属于祂。祂是全能的,至睿的。”(第36-37节)

In the way it addresses its subject matter, the surah is one single whole, but we have divided it into two parts for easier study. It begins with the two separate letters, Ha, Mlm, adding a reference to the Qur’an: “This Book is bestowed from on high by God, the Almighty, the Wise." (Verse 2) It concludes by addressing all praise to God, the absolute Lord of all the universe. This glorification of Him contrasts with the attitude of those who remain oblivious to His signs and who ridicule His revelations: “All praise is due to God, the Lord of the heavens, the Lord of the earth and the Lord of all the worlds. His alone is all supremacy in the heavens and the earth. He alone is the Almighty, the Wise." (Verses 36-37)

该章的特点是行文流畅、节奏柔和，与前一章《烟雾》的强劲节奏形成对比。真主是人心的创造者，也是降下这部古兰经的主。祂有时以强烈而严厉的方式对人说话，有时以温和的触动，有时又以柔和、平静的节奏。祂顾及人们各不相同的状况、处境、态度和反应。祂的知识是绝对的，祂的智慧是无穷的。

The surah is characterized by its easy flow and a soft beat that contrasts with the strong rhythm of the preceding surah, Smoke. God, the Creator of people s hearts and the One who has bestowed this Qur’an from on high, sometimes addresses people in a strong and hard way, at other times with gentle touches, and then again sometimes with a soft and quiet beat. He takes into account their different conditions, circumstances, attitudes and responses. His knowledge is absolute and His wisdom infinite.