凭那些接连派遣的，凭那些疾速狂飙的，凭那些四散飞扬的，凭那些明确区分是非的，凭那些传达教诲、以作辩解和警告的，你们所被许诺的必定会实现。

By those sent forth in swift succession; and those tempestuously storming on; and those scattering far and wide; and those separating [right and wrong] with all clarity; and those giving a reminder with an excuse and a warning, what you have been promised shall be fulfilled.

（第1-7节）

(Verses 1-7)

问题在于复活，不信道者对此极难接受。然而《古兰经》一再予以确认，在许多章中，以各种方式加以阐明。《古兰经》之所以特别需要如此细致地确立复活的真理，是为了使信仰能够在人们的心灵中得到稳固的建立，并进而使他们的标准与价值观得以重新确立。

The question here is that of the resurrection which the unbelievers found very hard to accept, yet the Qur’an confirms it time after time, in many surahs, and in various ways. It was especially necessary that the Qur’an take such care in establishing the truth of resurrection, this so that the faith can be properly established in peoples minds and hearts and further that their standards and values could then be redefined.

信仰末日审判是神圣信仰和人类生活的基石。它是人生一切运转的枢纽，也是衡量一切价值与准则的尺度。因此，要确立复活、随后的清算与审判这一真理，需要持续不懈的努力。

Belief in the Day of Judgement is the corner-stone of both the divine faith and human life. It is the pivot around which everything in life turns, and the criterion that judges all values and standards. Hence, establishing the truth of resurrection and subsequent reckoning and judgement needed such a sustained effort.

这一章以真主起誓开头，断言后世生活的这一许诺确定无疑。誓词的措辞表明，真主所起之誓的对象属于我们感知之外的领域。其中提到一些隐秘的力量，它们对宇宙和人类生活产生确定的影响。早期学者对这些所指为何意见不一：有人说它们都指风，有人说它们指天使，还有一派人说其中有些指风，有些指天使。由此可见，这些词语是含混的，因而最适合用于真主起誓，以确证只有祂才知晓的事件。

The surah begins with an oath by God that this promise of a life to come is certainly true. The way the oath is phrased suggests that that by which God swears belongs to the realm beyond our perception. It mentions some hidden forces that have a definite effect on the universe and on human life. Early scholars differed as to what these were: some said that they all refer to winds, and some said they refer to angels, while a third group said that some refer to winds and some to angels. It is clear, then, that these terms are ambiguous, which makes them best suited for an oath by God confirming an event which only He knows about.

正如这些模糊不清的事物确实存在，并且对人类的生活产生影响一样，这一超出我们感知范围的世界中的事件，也必然会发生。

Just as these ambiguous things exist and have an effect on human life, this event belonging to the world beyond our perception will certainly take place.

“以接连派遣者发誓。”（第一节）阿布·胡莱赖说，这指的是天使。马斯鲁格、阿布·杜哈、穆贾希德（据一种传述）、苏迪、拉比尔·本·安斯和阿布·萨利赫也有同样的说法。因此，这节经文是以那些成批接连降下的天使起誓，如同奔驰的马匹。阿布·萨利赫说，接下来的四节经文也都是指天使。

这种神秘的开端之后，紧接着是一记强烈的震撼：我们被展示出宇宙中发生的重大事件的景象，那是真主的使者们向历代人类传达神圣讯息之后，呈报其成果的指定之日：

This enigmatic beginning is now followed by a strong jolt as we are shown images of great events that take place in the universe on the day appointed for Gods messengers to present the results of their having delivered the divine message to all generations of mankind:

当星辰黯淡，天空崩裂，山岳如尘土般飘散，众使者被定下时刻的时候……这一切是为哪一天而定的呢？是为判决之日而定的。你怎能知道判决之日是什么？那一天，否认真理者必遭灾祸。（经文8至15节）

When the stars are dimmed, and the sky is rent asunder, and the mountains are scattered like dust, and the messengers are given their appointed time... For what day has all this been set? For the day of distinction. Would that you knew what the day of distinction is! Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth. (Verses 8-15)

在那一天,群星失去光芒,天空裂开,大山崩塌、散落如尘。《古兰经》的多章中都有类似关于这一宇宙性巨变的描述,它们都表明:我们所看到的宇宙体系将会崩溃,而这种崩溃将伴随着巨大的碰撞与爆炸,与火山喷发、雷击、地震之类的较小事件截然不同——这些小事件已经足以让人们惊恐万分。把那一天将要发生的事情与火山和地震相比,就如同把节日里点燃的篝火与核爆炸相比。这只是为了让人们对将要发生的事情有一个大概的概念。事实上,无法描述宇宙爆裂、散落时将要发生的巨大恐怖,那种恐怖超出了人类的一切想象。

On that day, the stars lose their light, and the sky is split apart, while the mountains crash and scatter like dust. Similar images of this universal upheaval are given in several surahs, all suggesting that the system of the universe we see will collapse and its collapse will be accompanied by great crashes and explosions unlike any of the smaller events - volcanoes erupting, thunderbolts, earthquakes and the like - that nonetheless leave people absolutely terrified. To compare what will happen on that day to volcanoes and earthquakes is the same as comparing bonfires organized on festive occasions to nuclear explosions. This is merely to give an idea of what will happen. In fact, it is impossible to describe the great horror that will take place when the universe explodes and scatters. That horror is beyond all human imagination.

在这可怖的景象之外，本章还提到另一件重大的事，它也被推迟到那一天。那便是真主的使者们陈述其努力成果的时刻——他们在人类历代生命中宣扬神圣的信息。这最后的陈述，比天空、大地和山岳所遭遇的一切都更为重大。它将包括真主对人世间一切事务的审判。这是关于人类历代所有世代的最终定论。经文对它的描述带着令人敬畏的庄严，表明其真实本质超出了人类的理解：“这些事都是为哪一天而定的呢？为判决之日。你怎么能知道判决之日是什么呢？”（第12—14节）显然，这些经文所说的是某件伟大而严肃的事。当这种严肃感被清晰地感受到，它比星辰失去光芒、天空被撕裂、山岳崩塌更为深重，于是便给出了一句令人战栗的警告：“那一日，否认真理者必遭祸殃。”（第15节）

Alongside this horror, the surah mentions another important event that is delayed until that day. It is the time appointed for Gods messengers to present the outcome of their efforts in advocating the divine message throughout all generations of human life. Presenting this final account is greater than what happens to the skies, the earth and the mountains. It will entail a judgement by God of all matters relating to life on earth. This is the final word concerning all human generations across the centuries. Its description is given an air of awe that suggests that its true nature is beyond human comprehension: “For what day has all this been set? For the day of distinction. Would that you knew what the day of distinction is!” (Verses 12-14) It is clear that these verses are speaking about something great and serious. When this sense of seriousness, which is greater than the stars losing their light and the rending of the skies and the crashing of the mountains, is clearly felt, a frightening warning is given: “ Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth” (Verse 15)

第一轮将带我们进入末日审判时预期的全宇宙剧变，随后是回顾先前拒绝信仰的各个民族所遭受的命运。后来的民族也可能紧随其后。

The first round taking us to the expected universal upheaval on the Day of Judgement is followed by one going back to the fates suffered by earlier communities that rejected the divine faith. Later communities could follow on their heels:

这不是我们毁灭了古代的那些人吗？我们必定使后来的人跟随他们。我们就是这样对待罪人的。那一天，否认真理者必遭灾祸。（第16—18节）

Did We not destroy those people of old? We shall certainly cause later ones to follow them. Thus do We deal with the guilty. Woe on that clay betide those who deny the truth. (Verses 16—18)

一击揭示了以往各民族的命运，她们何其众多；另一击揭示了后来者可能遭遇的境况，他们的数量或许同样庞大。毁灭的景象延伸至目之所及的尽头。如今，警示已然清晰，宣明了真主所设立运行的律法：

One strike to reveal the fates of past communities, numerous as they were and another to reveal what could happen to later ones, numerous as they may be. The scene of destruction stretches as far as anyone can see. Now the warning comes clear, stating the law God set in operation:

“这样，我们就这样对待罪人。”（第18节）这是祂永不落空的律法。既然有罪之人会预期遭遇与先前民族相同的命运，那么对即将降临之灾的警告便再次出现：“那日，否认真理者必遭祸殃。”（第19节）

“Thus do We deal with the guilty.” (Verse 18) It is His law that never fails. As those who are guilty expect a fate like earlier communities, the warning of impending doom is repeated: “ Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth” Verse 19)

接下来转向活着的人，以及他们如何依照周密的安排而降生于世。

The next round turns to the living and how they are brought into life, in accordance with elaborate planning:

难道我们不是用卑贱的液体创造了你们吗？然后把它安放在稳固的住所中，直到既定的期限。我们如此决定，我们的决定是何等美好。那一天，否认真理的人必遭灾祸。

Have We not created you from a humble fluid, placing it in a safe lodging for a pre-determined term? Thus have We determined; excellent indeed is how We determine. Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth. (Verses 20-24)

从受孕的那一刻起，胚胎漫长而奇妙的旅程，在此以几处精妙的细节加以叙述：先是受孕后置于子宫中的一滴微薄液体，为它提供安全的栖身之所，直到既定的时刻。整个旅程的每个阶段都以惊人的精确程度被安排妥当。这里再加一句评论，以强调那无穷的智慧，它为万物都确定了精妙而准确的尺度："这样，我已经规定了，我规定得多么好啊！"（第23节）随着这种普遍适用的既定安排，警告再次重申："那日，否认真理的人有祸了！"（第24节）

The long and remarkable journey of an embryo, from the moment of conception, is included here, in a few fine touches, starting with a humble fluid being placed after conception in the uterus that gives it a safe lodging until an appointed time. The whole journey is planned with remarkable accuracy at every stage. A comment is added here to emphasize the infinite wisdom that assigns a fine, accurate measure to everything: “Thus have We determined; excellent indeed is how We determine” (Verse 23) With this planned determination that applies universally, the warning is repeated again: “ Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth” (Verse 24)

于是,在这些画面与景象充盈我们的感官之后,这一章忽然转向审判日:届时要清算账目、裁定报应。令人畏惧的命令下达给罪人,叫他们前往所否认的刑罚。这命令伴随着一句强烈而痛切的斥责。

Having filled our senses with such effects as these images and rounds produce, the surah suddenly moves to the Day of Judgement when accounts are checked and requital determined. The dreaded command is given to the guilty to go on their way to suffer the punishment they were wont to deny. The command is coupled with a strong and painful rebuke:

去吧,去那你们过去否认的火狱!去吧,去那由三股烟柱升起的阴影之中;它既不遮荫,也不能抵挡烈焰。它喷出的火星大如宫堡,色如黄色的骆驼。那一日,否认真理的人必遭灾祸。(第29至34节)

Go to that which you used to deny! Go to a shadow rising in three columns; giving no shade, nor relief from the flame. It throws up sparks as huge as forts, as bright as yellow camels. Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth. (Verses 29-34)

现在你们在这决断之日已被长久拘押，可以去了。但他们还能去哪里呢？继续被拘押比这样的释放要好得多，因为有人对他们说："去吧，去那你们过去所否认的东西那里。"（第29节）它就在他们眼前。"去那分成三股升起的阴影那里吧。"（第30节）地狱的烟气分成三股升起，形成一片阴影，他们被命令去那里。然而，火焰的灼烧比这阴影更好，因为那阴影"既不遮荫，也不能抵挡火焰"（第31节）。它既令人窒息又令人焚烧。把它称为阴影或荫蔽，而阿拉伯语中的zill一词兼有这两层含义，这只是一种讽刺。

Now that you have been long restrained on this day of distinction, you may go. But where can they go? To remain constrained is much better than this release, because they are told: “Go to that which you used to deny” (Verse 29) It is present here before their very eyes. “Go to a shadow rising in three columns” (Verse 30) The smoke of hell rises in three columns giving a shadow to which they are told to go. Yet the scorch of the flame is better than this shadow, because it is “giving no shade, nor relief from the flame” (Verse 31) It is suffocating and burning. To call it a shadow or shade, the Arabic word zill carrying both meanings, is merely sarcastic.

他们被告知要去,他们也知道自己将要去往何处。

They are told to go, and they know where they will have to go.

因此,他们的归宿没有被直接点名:"它喷射出如堡垒般巨大的火星,色如黄色的骆驼。"(32-33节)火星接连不断地迸射,而每一粒都大如石砌的高楼,看上去就像黄色的骆驼在吃草。这火所喷出的火星就是这般模样。这火究竟是什么样子呢?正当我们沉浸于这一思索之时,那严厉的警告再次出现:"在那日,否认真理者必遭祸殃。"(34节)

Therefore, their destination is not mentioned by name: “A throws up sparks as huge as forts, as bright as yellow camels.” (Verses 32-33) Sparks are thrown in quick succession, but they are as big as large stone buildings, looking like yellow camels grazing. Such are the sparks thrown up by this fire. What is that fire like? At the moment we are absorbed in thought about this, the stern warning is repeated: “ Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth.” (Verse 34)

这一章已经描绘了肉体上的恐怖，给我们呈现了地狱的景象。现在它展示的是心理上的恐怖，使有罪者哑口无言：

The surah has described the physical horror, giving us an image of hell. Now it presents the psychological horror that leaves the guilty speechless:

现在，这章经文为我们描绘了敬畏主的人的形象，以及他们在那一日所受到的尊荣。

Now the surah gives us an image of the God-fearing and how they are honoured on that day:

{敬畏主的人，将居于清凉的树荫和泉水之间，并有他们所喜爱的水果。你们因自己所行而可以尽情地吃喝。我这样报酬行善的人。那日，否认真理的人必遭祸殃。}（第41至45节）

The God-fearing shall dwell amid cool shades and springs, and fruits as they may desire. Eat and drink to your hearts content in return for what you did. Thus do We reward those who do good. Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth. (Verses 41^45)

这些敬畏真主的人所享受的荫庇是真实的，不像那三柱烟影，既不能遮蔽，也无法抵挡火焰。他们身处泉水之间，而非窒息的浓烟之中。他们将获得“他们所想要的各种水果”。（第42节）更有甚者，这些物质享受是在那日所有聚集的人面前赐予他们的。众人都听着敬畏真主者受到尊崇：“你们吃吧，你们喝吧，作为你们所行的报酬，尽情地享用吧。我就是这样报答行善者的。”（第43—44节）至仁主赐予他们如此亲切的尊荣，实在令人欣慰。与此相反，对另一群人则再次发出警告：“那日，否认真理者必遭灾祸。”（第45节）

These shades the God-fearing enjoy are real ones, unlike the shadow of three columns that gives no protection from the fire. They dwell among springs of water, not in the midst of choking smoke. They have “fruits as they may desire.” (Verse 42) What is more is that such material luxuries are given to them in front of all people gathered on that day. They all listen as the God-fearing are honoured: “Eat and drink to your hearts' content in return for what you did. Thus do We reward those who do good.” 43—44) How welcome is such friendly honour bestowed upon them by the Almighty. In contrast, the warning is repeated to the other group: “ Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth.” (Verse 45)

这一章到目前为止还未提及今世的情形。现在，它匆匆地让我们瞥见今世一眼。我们如今回到了大地上，那里对有罪之人发出了严厉的斥责：

The surah has so far shown nothing of this present life. Now it gives a very quick glimpse of it. We are now back on earth, where strong reproach is levelled at those who are guilty:

"吃吧，享受你的生活片刻，因为你们确实是有罪的。"

Eat and enjoy your life for a little while, for you are certainly guilty.

那一天，否认真理者必遭灾祸。（第46—47节）

Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth. (Verses 46—47)

因此，今世的生活与后世的生活被接连呈现出来，仿佛两幅画面就在我们眼前，尽管它们之间的间隔延伸至未来，一代又一代。

Thus the two lives, the present one and the other to come, are shown in quick succession, in two images that appear to be before us now, even though the gap between them stretches into the future, age upon age.

这段经文的训诫先是针对后世的敬畏者，随后又转向此世的罪人。仿佛是在让他们思考两个时刻之间的差别：你们在今世可以稍作饮食享乐，但到了后世，你们将被剥夺这一切，并承受应得的惩罚：“那日，否认真理者必遭败坏。”（第47节）

The address was given first to the God-fearing in the life to come. It is then directed to the guilty here in this life. It is as if they are being told to consider the difference between the two moments. You may eat and enjoy yourselves a little here in this world, but you will then be deprived of it all in the next, where you will receive your due punishment: “ Woe on that day betide those who deny the truth.” (Verse 47)