本段经文首先描述了人类在见证真主使者的世代之后所达到的状况。这正是真主最后的使者降临时所见到的景象。当时的人们对所有真主使者所宣扬的唯一真理争执不休。

This third passage begins by showing the state mankind reached after the generations which witnessed God’s messengers. This is the state God’s last Messenger found them in. They were in dispute over the single truth preached by all God’s messengers.

该章节描绘了这样一些人:他们对最后的使者摆在他们面前的真理视而不见。出于无知,他们完全不知道自己注定要面临的后果。相反,信士只崇拜真主,行善积德,并对前方等待他们的事情心怀敬畏。他们敬畏地认识到,自己终将被归于真主。这两种情形形成鲜明对比:信士警醒、谨慎并留意警告,而不信者则深陷无知之中,对前方的事情一无所知。

The sūrah shows people oblivious of the truth the final Messenger put before their eyes. In their ignorance, they were totally unaware of the consequences they were bound to face. By contrast, believers worship God alone, do good deeds and remain apprehensive of what lies before them. They are in awe over the fact that they will inevitably be returned to God. The two situations are in perfect contrast: a believer is alert, cautious and heeding the warnings, while an unbeliever is deep in ignorance, unaware of what lies ahead.

这段经文以不同的方式与他们对话：有时斥责他们的态度，有时讨论他们的疑虑并给出清晰的解答。经文还触及他们内心深处的本性，指出是什么促使人们去相信，无论是在人的自身之中，还是在整个宇宙之中。经文也抓住了他们视为理所当然的一些事情，并以此作为反驳他们的论据。

The passage addresses them in different ways, at times denouncing their attitude, and at others discussing their doubts and providing clear answers to them. The passage also addresses their finer nature, pointing out what encourages people to believe, whether it be within themselves or in the universe at large. It also picks up some of what they take for granted, using these as argument against them.

随着本段经文的结束，它将他们留给了不可避免的命运。经文告诉先知穆罕默德ﷺ，他应当继续努力，阐明他的使命。对于他们的顽固拒绝，他不应感到烦恼。他应当以善行抵御他们的恶行，并向真主寻求庇护，以抵御撒旦——撒旦竭力引导人类走向迷途。

As the passage concludes, it leaves them to their inevitable destiny. It tells the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that he should continue his efforts, explaining his message. He should not be distressed at their obstinate rejection. He should repel their evil deeds with good ones, and seek refuge with God against Satan who tries hard to lead mankind along the path of error.

但人们把自己分裂成不同的派别，每一派都为自己所拥有的而欢欣。

But people have divided themselves into factions, each delighting in what they have.

所以，姑且任由他们在迷误中，直到约定的时刻。他们以为我们赐予他们的财富和子女，就是我们在为他们加速行善吗？绝非如此！但他们是没有觉悟的。（第53-56节）

So, leave them alone, lost in ignorance, till a time appointed. Do they think that by all the wealth and offspring We provide for them We hasten to them all that is good? By no means! But they are devoid of perception. (Verses 53-56)

所有的使者(愿主赐予他们所有人平安)都属于同一个民族,传达同一个信息、崇拜同一位主,并遵循同一个方向。但当使者们离去之后,人类便分裂成不同的群体,他们无法就应当遵循的道路达成一致。

All messengers (peace be upon them all) belonged to a single nation, preaching the same message, worship and pursuing the same direction. But when the messengers had gone, mankind splintered into different groups which could not agree on what line to follow.

《古兰经》描绘了这种分歧：人们相互争执，分裂成各个派别，彼此争吵并渐行渐远。这里勾勒的画面充满了努力与变动。最终，每个派别只抓住了整体中的一部分，并为自己能够守住这一部分而沾沾自喜。因此，没有哪个派别会去想其所宣称拥有之外的任何东西。各自走上各自的路，把所有的通道都封闭起来，使得没有一缕光线，也没有一丝清新的空气能够透入。大家都住在各自孤立的小天地里，忙于自己所拥有的东西，对其他一切一无所知。

The Qur’ān portrays such divergence as people in conflict, splitting into factions, quarrelling and pulling apart from each other. The picture drawn here is full of effort and movement. In the end each faction is left with only a portion of the whole, delighting at their ability to hold on to this. Hence, no faction thinks of anything other than what it supposedly possesses. Each goes its separate way, shutting up all inlets so that no ray of light or fresh breath of air comes through. All live in their isolated quarters, busy with what they have, ignorant of everything else.

一旦这幅图景被描绘出来，这一章便转向真主的使者（ﷺ）说道：“所以，你且任凭他们在无知中迷失，直到一个约定的时刻。”（第54节）让他们尽管慢慢来，专注于自己的事务，直到他们注定的时刻必然来临，揭示他们的命运。

Once this image has been drawn, the sūrah addresses God’s Messenger: “So, leave them alone, lost in their ignorance, till a time appointed.” (Verse 54) Let them take their time, preoccupied with their own affairs, until their appointed time inevitably comes, spelling out their destiny.

该章节进一步提出一个带有讥讽意味的反问,突显他们的无知觉察。他们以为自己所拥有的今世时光、财富与子嗣,意味着他们蒙受了恩惠。“难道他们以为,我们以财富和子嗣供给他们,就是在使他们获得各种福利吗?”(第55-56节)他们却没有意识到真相:这一切不过是一场考验,他们必须经历:“绝非如此!但他们缺乏悟性。”(第56节)他们根本没有察觉,在享受了今世所赐之物之后,自己正走向怎样的归宿。

The sūrah adds a derisive question that highlights their lack of awareness. They think that the time they have been given, and the wealth and offspring they are allowed to enjoy means that they are favoured with blessings. “Do they think that by all the wealth and offspring We provide for them We hasten to them all that is good?” (Verses 55-56) Little do they realize the truth that it is all but a test which they have to go through: “By no means! But they are devoid of perception.” (Verse 56) They simply do not perceive the destiny to which they are heading after having enjoyed what has been given in this life.

伊斯兰教确保其信徒的心时刻保持警觉。这种警觉由信仰所激发，从信仰在人心中扎根的那一刻起便已存在。它既不违背人的能力，也不会对人而言难以持守。这是一个关乎敏感度的问题，这种敏感度因信徒与真主的联系以及他在各种境况中的警醒而增强，从而防范罪恶。当信仰之光照亮人的心灵时，这完全在人的能力范围之内：“我不让任何灵魂负担超过其能力的重担。我有一部据实记载的经典，他们绝不受亏枉。”（第62节）

Islam ensures that its followers’ hearts are always alert. This is an alertness generated by faith right from the moment it settles in a person’s heart. It neither defies human power, nor is too hard for man to sustain. It is a question of sensitivity enhanced by a believer’s bond with God and his watchfulness in all situations, guarding against sin. It is perfectly within people’s power when the light of faith shines in their hearts: “We do not charge a soul with more than it can bear. We have a record that speaks the truth. None shall be wronged.” (Verse 62)

真主根据人们的天性与能力，规定了他们应尽的义务，因为祂完全知晓他们的倾向与能力。

God has established people’s duties as He knows their inclinations and abilities.

他将根据人们在其能力范围内所做的来清算他们。他既不会让他们承担超出其能力的负担，也不会忽略他们所做的任何微小之事。他们的一切行为都被记录在一本“据实而言的记录”之中，它将其完整的价值呈现出来。不言而喻，真主在清算时是精确无误的。

He will hold them to account on the basis of what they do within their ability. He neither charges them with what they cannot bear, nor dismisses any little thing they do. All their deeds are documented in a ‘record that speaks the truth,’ highlighting it in its full value. Needless to say, God is precise in His reckoning.

然而，人们往往忽视真理，因为他们的心没有被真理那振奋人心的光芒所触动。于是，他们依旧沉溺于琐碎的事务之中，迷失在无尽的迷宫里。直到面临无可避免的毁灭，望见等待着他们的痛苦，并承受那屈辱而严厉的斥责，他们才会醒悟。

People, however, tend to overlook the truth because their hearts are not touched by its invigorating light. Hence, they remain preoccupied with petty concerns, lost in a perpetual maze. They are only awakened when faced with inevitable doom, looking at the suffering that awaits them and enduring a humiliatingly and strong reproach:

不然，他们的心对此视而不见。除此之外，他们还有不断持续去做的种种恶行。待我使其中养尊处优的人遭受刑罚时，他们便哭喊求救，但已为时太晚。

Nay, their hearts are blind to all this. But apart from all that, they have deeds which they will continue to commit. Then, when We shall have overwhelmed with suffering those of them that live in luxury, they cry out in belated supplication.

[但他们将被告知：] 今天不要呼号，因为你们不会从我这里得到任何援助。我的启示曾一再地向你们诵读，但你们每次都转身退去，骄傲自大，在夜里大谈无稽之言。（第63-67节）

[But they will be told:] Do not cry out this day, for from Us you shall receive no help. Time and again were My revelations recited to you, but every time you would turn about on your heels, revelling in your arrogance, and talking senselessly far into the night. (Verses 63-67)

在向不信者展示了来世受责备的情景之后，本章又将他们带回今世，质问他们的态度：是什么阻止他们接受神的使者所告知的一切，而他们明知这位使者是一个可信赖的人？他们有什么疑虑，以致阻碍他们遵循神圣的引导？当它代表绝对真理时，他们为何背离它，并加以嘲笑？

Having shown the unbelievers this scene of reproach in the hereafter, the sūrah takes them back to this world, questioning them about their attitude: what stops them from accepting what they are told by God’s Messenger, whom they know to be a man of trust? What doubts do they have to prevent them from following divine guidance? Why do they turn away from it, ridiculing it when it represents the absolute truth?

{"没有去思考这段经文吗？还是有什么东西降临到他们身上，是他们的先辈从未遇到过的？或者他们不认识自己的使者，所以才否认他？或者他们说他身上有些疯癫？不，他带给他们的是真理，而他们大多数人却厌恶真理。}"

Have they, then, never tried to understand this word [of God] Or has there come to them something that never came to their forefathers of old? Or do they not recognize their Messenger, and so they deny him? Or do they say that there is in him a touch of madness? Nay, he has brought them the truth; and the truth do most of them detest.

若真理顺从他们的私欲，天地以及其中的一切，必然都会陷于败坏。不然，我已把他们的荣誉赐予了他们，而他们却背弃了这荣誉。难道你向他们索取报酬吗？你的主所赐的报酬才是最好的，因为祂是最好的供给者。你的确是在召唤他们走上正路。而那些不信后世的人，必定偏离正道。

Had the truth been in accord with their desires, the heavens and the earth, together with all that lives in them, would surely have been in utter corruption. Nay, We have given them all that brings them glory. Yet from this their glory they turn away. Or do you ask of them any recompense? But the recompense given by your Lord is best, since He is the best of providers. Most certainly, you call them to a straight path. But those who will not believe in the life to come are bound to deviate from the right path.

（第68-74节）

(Verses 68-74)

穆罕默德ﷺ(真主的使者)所传播的讯息,任何仔细运用理智去审视的人都不可能加以拒绝。它是美、完美、一致与吸引力的典范。它契合人性,既打动人的理智,也触动人的心灵,为提升人类生活指明了道路,并确立了一部可供遵循的精妙宪章和完善的公正法典。它还包含了满足人性需求的内容,以及有助于人性发展与进步的内容。 "难道他们没有思考过这段经文吗?"(第68节)这便是他们态度背后的秘密。

The message Muhammad, God’s Messenger, preached could not be rejected by anyone who looks at it carefully, using his reason. It is a model of beauty, perfection, consistency and attraction. It fits with human nature, addresses people’s minds and hearts, outlines a course to elevate human life, and lays down a fine constitution to follow and a perfect code of justice. It also includes what answers the needs of human nature and what helps its development and advancement. “Have they, then, never tried to understand this word (of God]?” (Verse 68) This is, then, the secret behind their attitude.

"抑或他们面前来了他们祖先从未曾遇到过的事情吗？"（第68节）如果确实如此，那么对他们和他们的祖先而言，有一位使者前来号召他们信仰真主的独一性，就会显得奇怪。但神圣启示的历史证明，使者们一个接一个地到来，他们所传达的，都是与穆罕默德ﷺ（真主的最后一位使者）所倡导的相同的信息。

这些不信道者是迷失了方向的人,无论是他们所遭遇的富足与优裕的考验,还是艰难困苦的考验,都不能使他们受益。因此,当他们受到恩惠的考验时,"他们以为我用财富和子嗣资助他们,是在让他们迅速获得各种善事吗?"(第55-56节)即使他们受到困难与艰辛的考验,他们的心也不会变得柔软,良知也不会觉醒。他们不会回归真主,也不会祈求真主解除他们的苦难。他们会一直处于这种状态,直到审判日降临,他们将遭受更大的苦难。那时,他们将真正陷入绝望与迷茫之中。

These unbelievers are people who have lost their way and no longer benefit from the tests to which they are exposed, be they tests of plenty and affluence or those of hardship. Hence, when they are tested with favour “they think that by all the wealth and offspring We provide for them We hasten to them all that is good?” (Verses 55-56) Even if they are tested with difficulty and hardship, their hearts are not softened, nor are their consciences awakened. They do not turn back to God, appealing to Him to remove their hardship. They remain in such a condition until, on the Day of Judgement, they are visited with an even greater suffering. Then they will be truly desperate and bewildered.

即使我怜悯他们，并除去他们所遭受的苦难，他们仍会继续傲慢地顽固不化，在迷误中盲目地徘徊。

Even were We to show them mercy and remove whatever distress might afflict them, they would still persist in their overweening arrogance, blindly stumbling to and fro.

诚然,我已经用灾难惩罚了他们,然而他们既不向主谦卑,也不恳切祈求。直到我为他们打开一扇严厉痛苦的大门,他们便陷入绝望。(第75-77节)

Indeed, We took them to task, but they neither humbled themselves before their Lord, nor do they submissively entreat [Him]. Yet when We open before them a gate of truly severe suffering, they will plunge in despair. (Verses 75-77)

这些人具有某些共同的特征：他们心肠冷硬，忽视对真主的义务，并否认后世。当先知传达使命时反对他的那些多神教徒，也属于这一类人。ﷺ

These are common features among such people. They are hard hearted, oblivious of their duties to God, and they deny the hereafter. The idolaters who opposed the Prophet when he delivered his message were of the same type.

在困厄之时保持谦卑，转向真主，向祂祈求，并承认祂是唯一的庇护所和依靠，这些都表明心意已经转变，正在回归信仰。与真主建立起这般联系的心，必定会变得柔软。

Showing humility at a time of hardship, and turning to God, entreating Him and recognizing Him as the only refuge and resort are indicative of a change of heart and a returning to faith. A heart which establishes such links with God is bound to soften.

反思与记念（dhikr）之后，又能帮助人避免再次的失误与过错。

Reflection and remembrance then provide protection against further slips and errors.

因此,磨难会带来真正的益处。然而,坚持骄傲的人已无可救药,毫无希望。他将被听任于自己的命运,到了来世,他将被苦难淹没,那时他将陷入绝望,既找不到庇护,也得不到援助。

Thus, hardship brings about real benefit. But the person who persists in arrogance is a lost case, without hope. He is left to his destiny when he will be overwhelmed with suffering in the life to come. He will then plunge into despair, finding neither refuge nor support.

本章此时暂停与不信者的辩论,转而叙述他们关于复活与清算于后世的说法。此前的这段讨论,紧接着一长串证明真主独一、以及唯有祂是创造者、掌管生死的迹象与指引。

The sūrah now stops its argument with the unbelievers, and reports their claims about resurrection and reckoning in the life to come. This discussion follows a long list of signs and pointers confirming God’s oneness and His being the only Creator who causes life and death.

但他们说，正如古人所说的那样。他们说："什么！我们死了，变成了尘土和骨头，还会被复活吗？这件事我们和我们的祖先以前就听过许诺，但这只不过是古人的神话罢了。"（第81-83节）

But they say like the people of old times used to say. They say: ‘What! After we have died and become dust and bones, shall we be raised to life? This we have been promised before, we and our forefathers! This is nothing but fables of the ancients.’ (Verses 81- 83)

他们的说法显得格外特异,因为此前的这一章已经列举了许多迹象,证明真主有周密的安排,并且创造万物有其确定的目的。正是祂赋予人听觉、视觉和理智,使人为自己的行为负责。因此,行善者将获得丰厚的报酬,作恶者将受到惩罚。真正的清算与赏罚要在后世才会完整地实现。我们在今世所看到的,是善恶的报应并不在世间即时发生,而是留待后世,等到应当兑现之时才予以兑现。

Their claims sound exceptionally singular after the sūrah has enumerated many of the signs that testify to God’s elaborate planning and His definite purpose of creation. It is He who has granted man his hearing, eyesight and mind, so that he is responsible for his deeds. He will thus earn a generous reward for his good actions or punishment for his bad ones. True reckoning and reward occur in full in the life to come. What we see in this life is that reward, whether good or bad, does not take place on earth. These are left until they fall due in the life to come.

真主赐予生命，也使生命消逝。因此，复生绝非难事。生命每时每刻都在被赋予万物，而只有真主知道它从何而来。

God grants life and causes death. Hence, resurrection is by no means difficult. Life is breathed into beings at every moment, and it is only God who knows where it originates.

问题并不在于这些不信道者不能领会真主的智慧和使生命复活的能力。他们还嘲笑复活与报应的许诺，说同样的许诺早已给过他们的祖先，但至今却没有任何此类事情发生。"这事我们和我们的祖先以前就听到过，这不过是古人的神话罢了！"（第83节）复活必定会在真主依其周密的安排所定的时间和地点发生。它既不会因任何人的要求而提前或推迟，也不会因无法看清真理的人的嘲讽而改变。

The point with these unbelievers is not that they fall short of appreciating God’s wisdom and ability to resurrect life. They also ridicule the promises of resurrection and reward, saying that the same promise was given to their forefathers, but nothing of the sort has yet occurred. “This we have been promised before, we and our forefathers! This is nothing but fables of the ancients.” (Verse 83) Resurrection will certainly occur at the time and place God has set for it in His elaborate plan. It will be neither brought forward nor put back at anyone’s request, or in response to the ridicule of anyone who is unable to see the truth.

在驳斥了多神崇拜者关于真主所宣称的种种说法——即以为祂有子嗣或同祂并列的伙伴之后，此章清楚地阐明了真主独一性的真正原则，正如祂的使者穆罕默德先知ﷺ所解释的那样。

Having refuted all the idolaters’ claims about God, taking to Himself a son or partners, the sūrah states in all clarity the true principle of God’s oneness as explained by His Messenger, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):

不，我们已将真理降示给他们，而他们确实是在撒谎。神从未收养任何子嗣，也从来没有任何神明与祂并存。

Nay, We have revealed to them the truth; and yet, they are certainly lying. Never did God take to Himself any offspring, nor has there ever been any deity alongside Him.

倘若真有其他神灵，每位神灵必定会带走他自己所创造的，他们也必定会彼此争夺高下。赞颂真主超绝万物，远非他们所妄加的一切可比。他知晓幽玄与显现的一切，至高无上，超越他们所拟配给他的一切。(第90-92节)

Had there been any, each deity would surely have taken away his own creation, and they would surely have tried to establish superiority over one another. Limitless in His glory is God, far above all that which they attribute to Him. He knows all that is beyond the reach of human perception, and all that can be witnessed. Sublimely exalted is He above anything they associate as partner with Him. (Verses 90-92)

注意这段经文运用了不同的论证方法与表达风格。首先，与多神崇拜者的辩论就此结束，并且斩钉截铁地断定他们在说谎："不然，我已将真理昭示他们，而他们确实是说谎者。"（第90节）接着叙述他们谎言的一些细节："真主没有收养子，他身边也没有任何神灵。"（第91节）随后给出无可辩驳的证据，使他们的一切主张都站不住脚，并显明以真主之外另立同伴的异教信仰是多么荒谬："如果有任何神灵存在，每位神灵必定会独自带走他所创造的万物。"（第91节）每位神灵都会强调自己的独立性，并依照自己的法则管理其所造之物。这样一来，宇宙的每个部分、每一类受造物都将各有其根基与法则，而不会有一套共同的律法适用于一切。因此，那些神灵"必定会彼此争夺高下"。（第91节）这种高下之争，可能表现为在宇宙某一特定领域施行更为精妙的法则。然而，除非整个宇宙服从一条适用于其一切部分和所有受造物的统一法则，否则宇宙整体便无法正常运行。

Note how this statement employs different methods and styles. First, all argument with the idolaters is closed, and an emphatic assertion of their lying is given: “Nay, We have revealed to them the truth; and yet, they are certainly lying.” (Verse 90) Then follow some of the details of their lies: “Never did God take to Himself any offspring, nor has there ever been any deity alongside Him.” (Verse 91) Irrefutable proof is then stated rendering all their claims false and showing the absurdity of pagan beliefs based on associating partners with God: “Had there been any each deity would surely have taken away his own creation.” (Verse 91) Each deity would stress his independence and conduct the affairs of his creation according to his own law. Thus, every part of the universe, and every group of creatures would have a different basis and laws. There would be no common code applying to them all. Hence, those deities “would surely have tried to establish superiority over one another.” (Verse 91) Such superiority could take the form of a more sophisticated law operating in a particular part of the universe. However, the universe as a whole cannot function properly unless it is subject to a single law that applies to all its parts and all creatures living in it.