虽然前面十章（第57至66章）的启示是在麦地那降下的，但本章以及本卷其后的九章都是在麦加降下的。每一类启示都有其自身的特点，并给读者留下独特的印象。麦加时期的启示通常论述对真主的信仰、启示以及审判日，并在此信仰的基础上确立关于生命、宇宙及其与造物主之关系的观念。它谈论造物主真主，使我们的心灵感受到祂的临在，并勾勒出人在向主祈求、仰望祂时所应有的情感与礼仪。它也清楚地确立了穆斯林在评判事件、情境与人物时所采纳的标准与价值。

Whereas the revelation of the previous ten surahs (57-66) took place in Madinah, this surah and all nine that follow in this volume were revealed in Makkah. Each type has its own features and leaves its special impressions on the reader. Makkan revelation generally deals with belief in God, revelation and the Day of Judgement, as well as establishing concepts about life, the universe and its relation with its Creator based on such beliefs. It speaks about God, the Creator, in such a way that makes our hearts feel His presence and outlines the sort of emotions and manners that are appropriate for a human being who addresses his Lord and looks up to Him. It clearly sets the standards and values a Muslim adopts in judging events, situations and people.

在我们讨论本卷其余的各章时，我们将看到这类处理方式的例子，它们将与我们在其他麦加章中已经见到的内容相互补充。

As we discuss the remaining surahs in this volume, we will see examples of such treatment, to be added to what we have already seen in other Makkan surahs.

在麦地那降示的启示，着重阐述这些信仰、观念、准则和价值观如何在现实生活中落实。它们敦促人们践行自己的信仰，因为信仰是托付给他们的信任。

Revelations given in Madinah address the implementation of such beliefs, concepts, standards and values in practical life. They urge people to live up to their faith, which is the trust assigned to them.

他们必须履行自身的义务，也必须履行其公共生活中的义务。

They must fulfil their obligations both within themselves and in their public lives.

本章旨在为宇宙及其与造物主的关系建立一种新的概念。这是一种宏大而全面的概念,超越了我们所生活的世界和有限的寿命,涵盖广阔的宇宙和来世。它述及与人类一同生活在地球上的造物,如精灵和飞禽,也述及属于后世的造物,如火狱及其看守。此外,它提及超出人类感知范围的世界,并使这些世界贴近我们的情感,使我们不致只专注于今世在地球上的生活。它邀请我们反思生活中所见以及自身之内的事物,而这些事物我们往往习以为常。

The present surah seeks to formulate a new concept of the universe and its relation with its Creator. It is a broad, comprehensive concept that transcends the world we live in and our limited lifespans to include the universe at large and the life to come. It speaks of creatures living on earth alongside man, such as the jinn and the birds, or belonging to the hereafter, such as hell and its guards. Furthermore, it refers to worlds beyond the reach of our human perception bringing these closer to our feelings so that we do not focus solely on our present life on earth. It invites us to reflect on what we see in our lives and within ourselves but which we tend to take for granted.

它唤醒人内心所有long已停滞的意象与感受，这些停滞都源于人固守jāhiliyyah（蒙昧时代）的观念。它拂去积压在我们情感之上的尘埃，打开窗户，释放心灵，解放感官与知觉，使其得以凝望宽阔的地平线、广袤的空间、深邃的海洋、内在的灵魂以及彼岸的世界，并思索真主奇妙的创造。

It awakens within man all images and impressions that have long been stagnant as a result of holding on to jdhiliyyah concepts. It removes the dust that has gathered over our feelings, opens windows and releases minds, and frees senses and perceptions so that they can look at the wide horizon, the vast space, the deep oceans, the inner soul and the world beyond, reflecting on Gods marvellous creation.

它引导我们去思考宇宙如何遵循真主的旨意而运行。由此我们认识到，整个事物远比我们所能想象的更加宏大，其范围也远为广阔。于是，我们不再只专注于脚下的大地，而是仰望天空；我们从所见之物转向其背后的真理，并能够看到真主的旨意既赋予生命，也掌控生命。

It invites us to look at how the universe moves on by Gods will. We thus realize that the whole thing is far greater and its scope much wider than we could possibly have imagined. Then, we no longer focus on our earth, but instead look up to heaven; we move from what we see to the truth beyond and we are able to see how Gods will both brings life and controls it.

生与死是两种我们熟悉的现象。然而，这一章经文邀请我们去审视这两种现象背后的事物：神的旨意、祂的智慧，以及祂设立考验、主宰一切事务的方式。正是神"创造了死亡和生命，以便考验你们，看看你们中谁的行为最好。祂是全能的，是至为宽恕的。"（第2节）

Life and death are two familiar phenomena. Yet the surah invites us to look at what lies beyond these two phenomena of Gods will, wisdom, and the way He sets tests and conducts all affairs. It is God: “who has created death as well as life, so that He may put you to a test to show who of you is best in conduct. He alone is Almighty, Much-Forgiving.” (Verse 2)

天空在上方，是人们用眼睛看见的造物。然而，人们却不去超越它们去看见那使它们存在的真主之手，也看不到它们所显现的完美。而这章经文则引导人们行动起来，使我们去思考这样的美与完美，以及造化的最终目的："祂创造了七重天，层层相叠。你在至仁主的创造中看不到任何缺陷。你把视线转过去：你能看到什么缺陷吗？然后再一次、再一次地看：你的视线会带着疲惫和困倦回到你这里。我们用明灯装饰了最近的天，并使它们成为投向恶魔的流星。"（第3-5节）

The skies above are creatures people see with their eyes. Yet they do not look beyond them to see Gods hand that brought them into existence, nor the perfection they manifest. The surah, however, initiates action so that we contemplate such beauty and perfection as well as the ultimate objective of creation: “He created seven heavens in layers. No fault will you see in what the Lord of Grace creates. Turn up your eyes: can you see any flaw? Then look again, and again: your vision will come back to you dull and weary. We have adorned the lowest heaven with lamps and made them missiles to pelt the devils with." (Verses 3-5)

对于生活在无明(jāhiliyyah)之中的人来说,今世的生活似乎就是终极的目标。然而,本章向恶魔和不信者展示了另一个世界,一个充满动荡与期待的世界。它静候着:"我已为他们预备了烈火的刑罚。"{至于否认主的人,将遭受火狱的刑罚,那是最恶劣的归宿。当他们被投入其中时,他们将听到它沸腾时发出的吼声,几乎要因愤怒而爆裂。}

To those who live in a state of ignorance, or jdhiliyyah, the life of this world appears to be the ultimate objective. The surah, however, presents another world to devils and unbelievers, a world that is full of movement and expectation. It stands in waiting: "We have prepared for them suffering through the blazing fire. Suffering in hell awaits those who deny their Lord: an evil destination. When they are thrown in it, they will hear it drawing in its breath as it boils up, almost bursting with fury.

每当有一群人被投入其中时,看守它的人就会问他们:“难道没有警告者来到你们中间吗?”“有的,”他们回答,“确有警告者来到我们中间,但我们不信他。我们说:‘真主没有降示任何东西,你们只是处于重大的迷误之中。’”他们还会说:“如果我们曾经听从,或者运用理智,我们now就不会成为烈火的居民了。”如此,他们承认了自己的罪过。烈火的居民远离(真主的慈悯)。(第5至11节)

Every time a group is thrown in it, its keepers will ask them, 'Did no one come to warn you?* 'Yes,* they will reply, 'a warner did indeed come to us, but we did not believe him. We said, "God has revealed nothing. You are in total error.”* They will further say, 'Had we but listened, or reasoned, we would not now be among the inhabitants of the blazing fire. ’ Thus they shall confess their sins. Far be the inhabitants of the blazing fire [from God's mercy].” (Verses 5—11)

在蒙昧（jāhiliyyah）的世界里，人们很少超越眼前的生活，也很少去思考自己所能感知的范围之外的世界。他们可以说是被囚禁在今世这座牢笼之中。

In a world of jdhiliyyah, people hardly ever look beyond their immediate life or think of a world beyond what they can perceive. They are, as it were, locked within the cage of their current life on earth.

因此，这一章引导人们的心灵与视线去仰望超越之物，仰望天堂与神圣的意志。那意志虽为任何人的肉眼所不能见，却能随其所愿，于任何时间、任何地方行其所欲。于是，大地虽在他们眼中看似稳固，却被猛烈地震动："无论你们秘密地说话还是公开地说话，他都完全知道心中所藏的一切。创造者怎能不知道一切呢？他确是至仁的，洞察一切的。他使大地对你们变得平易，你们可以走遍它的山岗，并食用他的给养。你们终将被复活归于他。你们难道以为，那在天上的主不会在大地震动时使它把你们吞没吗？或者你们难道以为，那在天上的主不会向你们降下沙暴吗？你们将知道我的警告是真实的。"（第13至17节）

The surah, therefore, directs their minds and sights to look to what is beyond, to the heavens and the divine will which, though unseen by any human eye, can do whatever it wills, whenever and wherever it chooses. Thus, the earth, stable as it appears before their eyes, is strongly shaken: " Whether you keep your words secret or state them openly, He has full knowledge of what is in all hearts. How could it be that He who has created should not know all? He is indeed Most Gracious, All-Aware. He it is who has made the earth easy to live upon. Go about, then, in all its highlands and eat of His provisions. To Him you will be resurrected. Do you feel secure that He who is in heaven will not cause the earth to swallow you up when it quakes? Or do you feel secure that He who is in heaven will not let loose against you a sandy whirlwind. You will come to know the truth of My warning.” (Verses 13-17)

他们看鸟,这是他们经常看见的造物之一,却很少去思考其奇妙的造化。这一章再次把他们的目光引向这里,让他们的心灵体会真主塑造和成就其造物时所展现的大能:"难道他们没有看见头顶上的鸟儿展翅和收翅吗?除了至慈的主,没有谁能托住它们。他洞察万物。"(第19节)

They look at birds, an aspect of creation they see frequently but which they rarely contemplate its marvellous creation. The surah again fixes their eyes on this and lets their minds appreciate Gods power as He shapes and fashions His creation: "Do they not see the birds above them, spreading their wings and drawing them in? None but the Lord of Grace holds them up. He sees everything.” (Verse 19)

他们在大地上感到安全和安稳，但这只是一种虚假的安全感，是那些对真主的旨意和大能将带来什么毫无察觉的人才有的。

They feel safe and secure on earth, but this is only the false sense of one who is oblivious to what Gods will and power may bring about.

在震撼了他们脚下的大地以及构成其环境的一切之后，本章又以更猛烈的力量撼动他们，使他们认识到：没有任何力量能够抵挡真主的权能，而他们几乎从未将此纳入考虑：“除了至慈的主，还有什么军队能来助你们呢？不信道者确实陷入了自欺的迷惘之中。”（第20节）

Having shaken the earth under their feet, including all that forms their environment, the surah then shakes them even harder so that they realize that nothing can ever withstand Gods power, which they hardly ever even take into account: “ What army is there to come to your aid, except for the Lord of Grace? The unbelievers are truly lost in self- delusion” Verse 20)

他们觉得自己所拥有的给养近在眼前，并且可以随意为之争夺。然而，这一章经文将他们的注意力引向远超出他们所以为的那些能够获得给养的因素之外的事物：“如果他（真主）停止供给你们，谁还能供给你们呢？然而他们仍然傲慢自大，执迷不悟。”（第21节）

They feel that the provisions they have are close at hand, and that they can compete for them as they please. The surah, however, directs their attentions to look far beyond the elements they think to be involved in securing their provisions: “Who will provide for you, if He were to withhold His provision? Yet they persist in their arrogance and in rebellion” (Verse 21)

当他们沉迷于错误的道路、却自以为得到了正确的引导时，这一章为他们描绘了一幅生动而发人深省的图景，揭示了他们自己的处境，也揭示了真正遵循正确引导者的境况："难道那俯首而行、步履跌撞的人，比那挺直身躯、行走在正路上的人更有引导吗？"（第22节）

As they pursue their erring ways, thinking they are well guided, the surah paints them a vivid, inspiring image showing their own condition and that of those who truly follow correct guidance: “Is he who goes grovelling on his face better guided than the one who walks upright on a straight path?” (Verse 22)

他们并未从真主赐予他们的天赋、官能与感知中获益。他们不超越自己所感知的范围，去审视那超出其眼前世界之外的事物。本章提醒他们真主的恩典，因为祂赐予了他们这些能力，并指引他们以一种去推测未来、探求终极目标的方式来运用这些能力："你说：'创造你们并赐予你们听觉、视觉和心智的，就是祂。你们却很少感恩。'祂使你们在大地上繁衍，你们终将被聚集到祂那里。'"（第23-24节）

They do not benefit by what God has placed in their make-up of talents, faculties and perceptions. They do not go beyond what they perceive so as to look at what lies beyond their immediate world. The surah reminds them of Gods grace as He has given them these abilities, and directs them to use these in a way that tries to divine the future and determine the ultimate objective: “Say: It is He who has brought you into being, and given you hearing, sight and hearts. Yet seldom are you thankful. And He it is who caused you to multiply on earth; and to Him you shall be gathered” (Verses 23-24)

尽管他们固执地否认复活，却仍然不断追问它何时到来。这一章描述复活是真实且即将降临的事件，它会突然来临在他们面前。因此，他们对此只有厌恶：“他们说：‘如果你们说的是真的，这项许诺何时应验？’你说：‘这事只有真主知道。我只是一个明白的警告者。’”（第25-27节）“当他们看见它近在眼前时，不信道者的脸上将显出悲哀，并且有人会对他们说：‘这就是你们过去所呼求的吗？’”

Even in their persistent denial of the resurrection, they still constantly ask about its timing. The surah depicts this as a true and imminent event, one that will approach them all of a sudden. Hence, they have nothing but distaste for it: “ They say: 'When is this promise to be fulfilled, if what you say be true?' Say: God alone has knowledge of this. I am only a plain warner. ’ When they see it close at hand, the unbelievers faces will be stricken with grief, and it will be said: 'This is what you were calling for?” Verses 25-27)

他们希望先知ﷺ和追随他的人都灭亡，因为这样就能让这个多年来以其警告令他们烦恼的声音沉默下去。他们宁愿回到他们愚昧的沉睡之中。

They hope that the Prophet and those who follow him will perish, as this will silence this voice that has for long irritated them by the warnings it delivers. They would rather revert to their foolish slumber.

该章提醒他们：无论这群信士是覆亡还是兴盛，都不会影响他们自己的命运，而他们的命运已因执意拒绝信仰而注定。因此，他们最好审视自己的处境，趁为时未晚之前悔改补过："你说：'你们想一想：如果真主毁灭我和跟随我的人，或者怜悯我们，谁能保护不信道的人免受痛苦的刑罚呢？'你说：'他是至仁主，我们信仰他，我们只信赖他。"

The surah reminds them that whether this group of believers perish or flourish, it cannot affect their own destiny that is determined by a persistent rejection of faith. Hence, they are better advised to look at their own situation and to make amends before it is too late: “Say: Just think: whether God destroys me and those who follow me, or bestows mercy upon us, who will protect the unbelievers from painful suffering?’ Say: 'He is the Lord of Grace: in Him we believe, and in Him we place our trust.

"你们将会知道谁处于明显的迷误之中。"'（第28-29节）

You will come to know who is in manifest error.”’ (Verses 28-29)

最后，这章经文警告他们：维持生命所必需的水，可能被否认真主的人所信奉的那位真主收回：“你说：‘你们想想看，如果你们的水渗入地下，谁能给你们带来流动的清水？’”（第30节）

Finally, the surah warns them that water, which is essential for life, may be taken away by God, whom the unbelievers deny: “Say: Just think: if all your water were to sink underground, who would give you clear flowing water?” (Verse 30)

整个章的关键、以及它在我们心灵、理智、感官和情感中所激发的运动之轴心，都蕴含在它那令人振奋的开篇之中：“至尊的主啊，主掌握着万有的主权，主对万物都是全能的。”（第1节）整章中所呈现的一切image，以及它所暗示的一切隐显运动，都是从真主主权与大能的真理中派生出来的。由此，生与死的创造、借生死对人类进行考验、天空的创造及以星辰点缀天空（这些星辰用作驱逐恶魔的流星）、对地狱的预备（如经文所描述的那样）、对隐秘与公开之事的知晓、使大地便于人类居住、毁灭拒绝神圣引导的古代民族、让飞鸟停留在天空中、真主无上的大能与祂的超绝、按照祂的意志向万物供给生计、创造人类并赐予他们听觉、视觉和心智、使他们在地上繁衍，然后将他们全部聚集、祂对后世之事的全知（那是祂独有的领域）、对不信者的惩罚之施行、赐予生命所必需的水源，以及祂随时收回水源的能力，所有这些都源于一个事实：宇宙中的一切主权都属于真主，祂对万物都是全能的。

The key to the whole surah and the axis of the movement it sets in our hearts, minds, senses and feelings are found in its inspiring opening: “Blessed be He in whose hand all dominion rests; who has power over all things.” (Verse 1) It is from the truth of Gods dominion and power that all images presented in the surah, as well as all hidden and apparent movements to which it alludes, branch out. Thus, the creation of life and death, testing people through them, the creation of the heavens and their adornment with lamps that serve as missiles pelting devils, the preparation of hell as it is described, the knowledge of what is secret and public, making the earth easy for humans to live upon, the destruction of early communities who rejected divine guidance, holding birds in the sky, Gods overwhelming power and His exaltation, providing sustenance to all as He pleases, His creation of people and granting them hearing, eyesight and hearts, causing them to multiply on earth and then gathering them all, His full knowledge of the hereafter which is His own preserve, the meting out of punishment to the unbelievers, the provision of water, which is essential to life, and the ability to take it away whenever He wishes all emanate from the fact that to God belongs all dominion in the universe. He has power over all things.

这一章包含一连串的真理，它们接连不断地展开，以一个个相继的印象与观念，来解释其简练而又全面的开篇。因此，很难将它分割成若干段落。让我们这样来看待它：从头到尾，看它如何展开其主题。

The surah states a long sequence of truths that flow uninterruptedly with successive impressions and ideas to explain its concise, yet comprehensive, opening. It is, therefore, difficult to divide into passages. Let us, then, look at it as it develops its theme from start to finish.