至此,本章已经处理了人类本性中最粗糙的方面,以便净化和提炼它们。它论及了性欲及其种种诱因,也论及了散播谣言、对人进行指控从而引起愤怒与痛苦的倾向。它还论及了人心中滋生并通过言语表达、继而蔓延到现实生活中的淫秽之念。针对所有这些,它规定了对通奸及诬告通奸的严厉惩罚。它还描绘了一个可怕的例子:对那些对此一无所知的贞洁妇女进行的诬告。此外,它还提供了预防措施,例如进入他人家中须先征得许可,与人相遇时要低下目光,以及遮盖个人的魅力与装饰。它进一步警告人们不要无故地激起性欲,鼓励结婚与释放奴隶,并禁止卖淫。所有这些措施虽然形式各异,却共同有助于约束身体的冲动,并强化人们保持贞洁、追求更高纯洁标准的动机。

So far the sūrah has dealt with the most crude aspects of the human constitution in order to purify and refine them. It has dealt with sexual desire, including its different appeals, as well as the inclination to spread rumours and level accusations at people causing anger and distress. It has also dealt with indecency fermenting within people’s hearts, finding verbal expression and then spreading into actual life itself. In all these it laid down very stern punishments for adultery and for false accusation of committing it. It portrayed a horrid example of false accusations levelled at chaste women who are unaware of what is being said about them. It also provided prevention measures, such as seeking permission before entering other people’s homes, lowering one’s gaze when meeting others, and covering personal charms and adornments. It further warned against unnecessary sexual excitement, encouraged marriage and the freedom of slaves and prohibited prostitution. All these measures, varied as they are, help to control the physical impulse and strengthen the motives to maintain one’s chastity and aspire to higher standards of purity.

在对关于`Ā’ishah的虚假传言作出评论之后，这一章又谈到了该事件的遗留影响：尤其是其中的痛苦、愤怒、价值观的扭曲和焦虑。于是我们看到，先知ﷺ平静而安心，`Ā’ishah本人十分满意、快乐，她的父亲Abū Bakr仁慈而宽恕，Şafwān ibn al-Mu`aţţal因真主宣布他的清白而欣慰，整个穆斯林社群在意识到自己曾陷入迷茫之后，重新转向真主。如今，他们回到了正道，认识到真主的恩惠与慈恩，并遵循祂的引导。

At the conclusion of its comments on the false story about `Ā’ishah the sūrah dealt with the lingering effects of that incident: in particular the distress, anger, distortion of values and anxiety. Thus we find the Prophet (peace be upon him) calm and reassured, `Ā’ishah herself well satisfied and happy, her father Abū Bakr kind and forgiving, and Şafwān ibn al-Mu`aţţal pleased with God’s declaration of his innocence, and the whole Muslim community turning back to God after realizing how they were lost in confusion. Now they are back on track, recognizing God’s favours and grace, and following His guidance.

凭借这些训导、教化与熏陶，此章转而论及人的灵魂，论及它如何骤然明亮起来，向往那充满天地的伟大光明。穆斯林如今已准备好接受他们所需要的光照，置身于一个充满光明的世界之中。

With such directives, education and refinement the sūrah now deals with the human soul, how it suddenly lights up, aspiring to the great light that fills the heavens and earth. Muslims are now ready to receive the enlightenment that they need in a world full of light.

"真主是天地的光明。"(第35节)这一非凡的言辞一经领会其意,一道明亮的光便遍洒整个宇宙,照亮了情感与情绪,充满了心灵与思想。整个宇宙沐浴在光辉之中。帷幕与屏障被揭去,心灵焕发光彩,灵魂高飞,万物在光明之海中得到净化。一切都卸下了重负,汇入纯粹喜悦与欢欣的氛围之中。的确,宇宙及其所包含的一切挣脱了桎梏,使天与地相遇,远者与近者相聚,有生命者与无生命者相融。隐秘之物与显露之物相连,人们的心灵与感官也是如此。

“God is the light of the heavens and the earth.” (Verse 35) No sooner does this remarkable statement impart its meaning than a bright light spreads over the whole universe and lightens up feelings and emotions, filling hearts and minds. The entire universe swims in a radiant light. Screens and curtains are removed, hearts radiate, spirits fly high, and everything is purified in a sea of light. All shed their burdens and join together in an atmosphere of pure happiness and delight. Indeed, the universe and all it contains break their fetters so as to let the heavens and earth meet, the distant and the near come together, as do the animate and the inanimate. What is hidden joins with what is apparent, as do people’s hearts and senses.

“真主是天地的光。”他是天地得以存在其本质与完善体系的光源。他赋予天地以存在，也制定了支配这种存在的规律。近来，人类通过科学成就，发现了这一伟大真理的一部分：过去被称为“物质”的东西，经由核聚变转化为辐射，而这种辐射除光之外没有任何形态或实体。由此，人类发现原子中的电子会产生辐射。与此相比，人心早在科学做出其发现的许多世纪之前，就已领悟了这一伟大真理。

“God is the light of the heavens and the earth.” He is the light from which they derive their essence as well as their perfect system. He is the One who gives them their existence and the law that governs such existence. Man has recently been able to discover, through scientific achievements, a part of this great truth when what they used to call ‘matter’ was transformed, through nuclear fusion, into radiation that has no form or substance other than light. Thus, man discovered that an atom contains electrons that produce radiation. By contrast, the human heart was able to comprehend this great truth many centuries before science made its discoveries.

每当人类的心灵达到高度的纯净,并向往那崇高的光明时,它便能够领悟这一真理。先知穆罕默德(God's Messenger)从塔伊夫返回时,便完全领悟了这一点。当时他对人们感到失望,转而向他的主寻求庇护。他向至高无上的真主祈祷说:"我寻求您面容之光的庇护,因您面容之光,一切黑暗得以驱散,今世与后世的事务得以走上正道。"他的心在那次夜行中被这崇高的光明照亮,那次夜行带他从麦加到耶路撒冷,再到天堂。后来,他的妻子阿伊莎问他是否见过他的主,他回答道:"那是一片光明,我怎能见到祂呢?"

Every time the human heart attained a high level of purity, aspiring to the sublime light, it was able to understand this truth. It was fully comprehended by Muhammad, God’s Messenger, as he started his journey back from Ţā’if, when he gave up on people and sought refuge with his Lord. Appealing to God Almighty, he said: “I seek refuge in the light of Your face by which all darkness is dispelled and both this life and the life to come are put on their right courses.” His heart shined with this sublime light on his night journey which took him from Makkah to Jerusalem and then to heaven. When later `Ā’ishah, his wife, asked him whether he saw his Lord, he answered: “It is all light. How could I see Him?”

人心无法长时间承受如此充沛的光明，也无法长时间向往那样宏大的境界。因此，在这段开启无尽境界的论述之后，本章便开始将其拉近，使人更易理解。这个譬喻既具体可感，又切于实际：

The human heart cannot take such abundant light for long; nor can it aspire to that great horizon for long. Hence, after this statement that opens up this endless scope, the sūrah begins to bring it closer so as to make it better understood. The example is at once tangible and practical:

其光明可比作一个壁龛，龛中有一盏灯，灯置于玻璃之中，玻璃如同一颗明亮的星辰，以一棵受祝福的树来点燃——那是一棵橄榄树，既不属东方，也不属西方。它的油几乎不需火点，便会自行发光。 {光明之上加光明。}

His light may be compared to a niche containing a lamp; the lamp within a glass, the glass like a radiant star; lit from a blessed tree – an olive tree that is neither of the east nor of the west. Its very oil would almost give light even though no fire had touched it.

光上加光！（第35节）

Light upon light! (Verse 35)

这一比较旨在将无限置于一个有限能力的心智面前。

This comparison seeks to put the infinite right before a mind that has finite ability.

它只是描绘了一幅微小的图景，呈现给无法思量其伟大实相的人。它意在展示光的本质，因为人的想象无法承载光那无尽的扩散。

It simply portrays a miniscule picture to present it to man who cannot contemplate its great reality. It seeks to show the nature of light when the human imagination cannot entertain its endless spread.

经文开头陈述了一个事实：“真主是天地的光明。”但接着它便迅速把我们从这广阔的范围带到一个壁龛——一个小小的人工墙洞，里面放着一盏灯，使灯光集中并被照亮。“他的光明好比一个壁龛，龛里有一盏灯。”经文又依次增添了力量与聚焦的要素：“灯在玻璃中”，玻璃保护它免受风吹，并净化其光芒，使之更加强烈、更加明亮：“玻璃好像一颗光明的星辰。”这里的玻璃被描绘得明亮、透明，几乎闪闪发光。至此，经文将比喻与实际、类比与本体、小小的玻璃与光明的星辰联系在一起。因此，我们的思考不应집中于这幅为帮助我们理解伟大实在而呈现的微小画面。

The verse begins by stating the fact that “God is the light of the heavens and the earth,” but then it brings us fast from this great expanse to a niche, a small artificial wall recess in which a lamp is placed so as to focus its light and make it shine. “His light may be compared to a niche containing a lamp.” It adds one element of strength and concentration after another: “The lamp within a glass,” which protects it from the wind and purifies its light to make it stronger and more radiant: “The glass like a radiant star.” We see the glass painted here as bright, transparent, almost shining. At this point the verse links the example and the reality, the likeness and the original, the small glass and the radiant star. Thus we do not concentrate our reflection on the miniscule picture which is presented only to help us understand the great reality.

经文随即又回到灯的譬喻：“它是从一棵祝福的树——橄榄树——上点燃的……”对《古兰经》最初的听众而言，最纯净的光是橄榄油的光。但选用这个譬喻并不只是这一个原因。它所带有的，是与那棵蒙福之树相关的神圣意味。这些意味让人想起那座神圣的山谷，那是阿拉伯半岛附近橄榄树最为茂盛的地方。《古兰经》提到了这棵树，并赋予它特殊的意义：“我使……一棵生长在西奈山上的树，它出油，并为食者提供佐料。”（23：19-20）这是一棵历经千万年而常青的树，它的油、木材、叶子和果实，不断地为人类带来无尽的益处。经文再一次从这个小小的譬喻转向，提醒我们那伟大的实相。这棵树并非某一特定的树，也不属于某一特定的地方或方向。它只是一个譬喻，为的是使那实相更易于理解。因此，经文说它“既不属于东方，也不属于西方”。而且，它的油也不是我们所看到、所熟知的那种油，而是不同的、更加非凡的：“它的油几乎自行发光，即使没有火去碰它。”它是如此通透明亮，几乎不用燃烧便能发光。这个譬喻以另一句非凡的话作结：“光上加光。”至此，我们又回到那无可比拟的本源之光。

与照耀天地、光照那些用来崇拜真主的殿宇、点亮信士之心的这道光芒形成对照，本章描绘了另一种景象：那里没有任何光明能够穿透，没有人得到安全，一切善都已荡然无存。这正是不信道者所处的境况：

In contrast to this radiant light that shines throughout the heavens and the earth, focusing on the houses dedicated to God and enlightening the hearts of the faithful, the sūrah shows a different situation where no light can penetrate and no one is safe; a situation devoid of all goodness. That is the situation in which the unbelievers find themselves:

至于不信道者，他们的行为好比沙漠中的海市蜃楼，口渴的旅人以为那是水，但等他走近时，却发现什么也没有。

As for the unbelievers, their deeds are like a mirage in the desert, which the thirsty traveller supposes to be water, but when he comes near to it, he finds that it is nothing.

但他会发现真主始终与他同在，并且祂会足额地支付他应得的报酬；因为真主清算最为迅速。（第39节）

But he finds that God [has always been present] with him, and that He will pay him his account in full; for God is swift in reckoning. (Verse 39)

这是本章为不信道者及其归宿描绘的两幅卓越画面中的第一幅。两幅画面都充满生动与动态。在这一幕中,他们的行为如同旷野中的海市蜃楼。它发出虚假的光亮,吸引干渴的旅人朝它走去。他对那里可能遇到的事情毫不知情,只想着解渴。突然,整个场景急速转换,我们看到这位干渴的旅人到达了那里,却找不到水可喝。相反,他将遭遇一个巨大的惊讶,一个他从未想象过的情形。

This is the first of two remarkable scenes the sūrah paints of the unbelievers and their destiny. Both are full of life and movement. In this scene their actions are shown like a mirage in an open space. It gives a false shine which attracts the thirsty traveller who moves towards it. He is totally unaware of what he might find there, other than the prospect of quenching his thirst. Suddenly, the whole scene moves swiftly, and we see the thirsty traveller arriving at this place but finding no water to drink. Instead, he is in for a great surprise, one which he could never have imagined.

它是如此令人敬畏，使他心中充满恐惧，并让他完全不知所措。他所发现的，是一个认识：真主一直与他同在。他曾否认真主的存在，背弃祂，并对信仰抱有敌对的态度。在他除了所需的水之外对一切都完全茫然无知的状态中，如果他在那里遇到一个人类对手，他会感到惊慌和困惑。但他没有遇到任何人类的对手。他遇到的是全能的真主，祂来清算他。

It is awesome, striking fear into his heart and leaving him utterly bewildered. What he finds is the realization that God has always been present with him. He had denied God’s existence, turned his back on Him and adopted a hostile attitude to faith. In his state of total oblivion to anything other than the water he needs, should he find there a human adversary, he would be startled and confused. But he finds no human opponent. He finds God Almighty who takes him to account.

然后会发生什么?"真主必将全额偿还他的应得。"这一切都发生得非常迅速,与最初突如其来的震惊相吻合。对这一场景的最后评论是:"真主清算极为迅速。"这一评论同样与场景的急促完全契合。

And then what happens? “God will pay him his account in full.” All this occurs very quickly, in line with the initial and sudden shock. The final comment on this scene is “God is swift in reckoning.” Again the comment perfectly suits the rapidity of the scene.

这是人类生活中一幅非凡的景象：不信、迷误与黑暗。然而，紧随其后的，却是宏大宇宙中信仰、引导与光明的景象。这是一幅展现整个宇宙的景象，宇宙中的一切生灵，无论是人类与精灵，行星与恒星，还是一切有生命或无生命的存在，都在共同赞颂真主。

This is an extraordinary scene of unbelief, error and darkness in human life. Yet it is followed by one of faith, guidance and light in the great universe. This is a scene showing the entire universe with all that lives in it, human and jinn, planets and stars, and all beings, whether animate or inanimate, sharing in God’s glorification.

我们感受到这一场景是何等壮丽，因为赞美之声回荡于天地之间，无处不在。

We feel how awesome the scene is as we hear the glorification echoed everywhere in the heavens and the earth:

你难道不知道吗？天地间的万物，甚至展翅翱翔的飞鸟，都在赞颂真主的圣洁。它们各自都知道如何向祂祷告、赞颂祂；真主完全知晓它们所做的一切。（第41节）

Are you not aware that it is God whose limitless glory all creatures that are in the heavens and earth extol, even the birds as they spread out their wings? Each of them knows how to pray to Him and to glorify Him; and God has full knowledge of all that they do. (Verse 41)

人在这个宇宙中并非孤独地生存。在他的周围，左右之间，上下之中，以及那无边的空间里——无论他的想象能否抵达——都有真主创造的、本性、形态与样貌各不相同的生灵。它们都信仰真主，归向于他，并赞颂他的圣洁。他“完全知道它们所做的一切”。《古兰经》指引人环顾四周：万物皆出自真主的创造，天上地下一切有生命的存在都是他的受造物，都在赞颂他、歌颂他。《古兰经》还将我们的全部注意力引向一个我们每天都能看见、却因过于熟悉而不会激起任何感触的景象：鸟儿抬起双腿、展开双翼飞翔。它们也在赞颂真主。“它们each都知道如何向他祷告，如何赞颂他。”（第41节）

Man does not live alone in this universe. All around him, to his right and to his left, above him and beneath him, and in the expanse beyond, whether reached by his imagination or not, there are beings God has created with different natures, forms and shapes. All share in their belief in God, turn to Him and extol His praises. He “has full knowledge of all that they do.” The Qur’ān directs man to look around him: all is of God’s making and all living things everywhere in the heavens and the earth are His creatures, glorifying Him and singing His praises. The Qur’ān also directs our full attention to something we see every day without stirring any feeling in us because of its familiarity: it is the scene of birds lifting up their legs and spreading out their wings as they fly. They also glorify God. “Each of them knows how to pray to Him and to glorify Him.” (Verse 41)

只有人会忽略对他的主的赞颂，而他本应最清楚地明白信仰真主、赞颂真主的重要性。

Only man neglects to glorify his Lord when he is the one who should be most aware of the importance of believing in God and glorifying Him.

在这一景象中，整个宇宙仿佛满怀谦卑，转向它的造物主，赞颂祂，向祂献上祈祷。这是宇宙的本性。它对真主的顺服体现在其律则之中，而这些律则依照真主的意志运行。当人净化自己的感官时，他便将这一景象视为实在，仿佛听到真主赞美的节律回荡于整个宇宙。他与万物一同向真主祈祷、祈求。先知穆罕默德ﷺ正是如此。他行走时，听到脚下的碎石在赞颂真主。大卫也是如此，当他吟唱《诗篇》时，山峦和飞鸟也与他一同吟唱。

In this scene, the whole universe appears full of humility as it turns to its Creator, singing His praises, addressing its prayers to Him. This it does by nature. Its obedience to God is represented in its laws which operate by God’s will. When man refines his senses, he sees this scene as reality, as though he hears the rhythm of God’s glorification echoed throughout the universe. He shares with all creatures their prayers and appeals to God. Such was Muhammad, God’s Messenger, (peace be upon him). When he walked, he heard the gravel under his feet singing God’s praises. Such was David too for when he chanted his Psalms, the mountains and birds chanted with him.

接下来，这一章经文描绘了另一幅场景，人们往往经过它时却不太留意。它十分赏心悦目，向心灵传递讯息，并引导理智去思索神的创造，以及宇宙各处随处可见的信仰指引。它提供了一个空间，让人沉思唯一真实的光明之源、正确的引导和真正的信仰。

Next the sūrah portrays yet another scene which people pass by paying little attention to it. It is very pleasant to the eye, carrying a message to the heart and inviting the mind to reflect on God’s creation as well as the pointers to faith available everywhere in the universe. It provides an area to contemplate the only source of real light, right guidance and true faith.

你难道没有看见吗？是真主驱动云彩缓缓前行，然后将它们聚合，再堆叠成团，于是你便看见雨水从云层中间涌出。他从天空中降下如山般的冰雹云团，用它击中他所意欲的人，也使它避开他所意欲的人。他闪电的光芒几乎夺去人们的视力。（第43节）

Are you not aware that it is God who causes the clouds to move onwards, then joins them together, then piles them up in masses, until you can see rain come forth from their midst. He it is who sends down from the skies mountainous masses charged with hail, striking with it whom He wills and averting it from whom He wills. The flash of His lightning well-nigh deprives people of their sight. (Verse 43)

场景被从容、缓慢地呈现，其各个组成部分被逐一提出，供人沉思，然后再连成一幅全景图。这一切都是刻意为之，使人看到这些细节时便能触动内心，唤醒思考，去领悟真主完美的造化。

The scene is portrayed at leisure, slowly, with its component parts being raised up for reflection before they combine panoramically. All this is done deliberately, so that the very sight of these details touches people’s hearts and awakens their minds to reflection on God’s perfect design.

这是真主的安排，驱动云朵从一处飘向另一处，然后使这些云朵聚集，堆积成一大片。当云层变得沉重时，它便承载着水分，水开始渗出，然后倾泻成大雨。

It is God’s design that drives the clouds from one place to another, before allowing these clouds to come together and pile up into a great mass. When this becomes heavy, it bears water that begins to ooze out and then pour down in heavy rain.

当云层堆积时，看起来就像巨大的山峰，并降下细小的冰雹。

When piled up, the clouds look like great mountains, producing small pieces of hail.

没有人比乘坐在飞得高于云层、或穿行于云层之中的飞机上的乘客，更能看清云像山的模样了。在这样的高度上，云层呈现出如山脉一般的景象：巨大的体积、陡峭的悬崖，以及高低起伏的山峰。这是一幅在人类能够飞行之前无法看到的景象，展现的是一种人们此前从未见过的现实。

No one sees the clouds look like mountains better than a passenger in a plane that flies higher than the clouds, or moves through them. The scene at this elevation shows the clouds just like mountains, their huge sizes, steep cliffs, as well as high and low peaks. It is a scene that shows a reality people could not have seen before they were able to fly.

这些山峰顺服于神的命令,依照祂所制定、支配宇宙的律法运行。正是依照这一律法,神愿意时便让雨水降落在任何一个群体之上,也依祂的旨意将雨水从另一些地方引开。全景以这句总结作结:"祂的闪电几乎夺去人们的视力。"(第43节)由此,它与充满整个宇宙的那道伟大光明形成了和谐的呼应。