该章此时向全人类作出了明确的宣告，但特别针对那些阿拉伯人，以使他们切实明白：一切都服从于真主的意志、智慧和安排。今世所施的惩罚与后世所降的刑罚，在此之前所传达的讯息与警告，真主的使者所领受的启示，以及与这一切相关的创造、事件和安排的种种情形，都服从于真主的计划和意志。
The surah now makes a clear statement addressed to all mankind, but specifically to those Arabs, to drive home to them the fact that everything is subject to God’s will, wisdom and planning. The punishment administered in this life and the one inflicted in the life to come, the messages and warnings given before them, the revelations given to Gods messengers, and everything surrounding all this in terms of creation, events and planning are all subject to God’s plan and will.
这一切以及一切大小之物，都是按照精确的衡量而被创造，并且经过精妙的规划。没有任何事物是偶然发生或出于巧合的：“我确已按照定度创造了万物。”（第49节）这适用于一切受造物，无论是无声的还是能言的，动的还是静的，过去的还是现在的，已知的还是未知的：它们的被造都遵循精确的衡量。正是这种衡量决定了每一事物的性质、属性、数量、时间和地点，以及它们与周围其他事物的联系和所产生的影响。
All these and everything large or small are created in accordance with an accurate measure and are wisely planned. Nothing occurs haphazardly or by coincidence: “ We have created everything in due measure.” (Verse 49) This applies to all creatures, silent or endowed with speech, moving or motionless, past and present, known or unknown: their creation is subject to an accurate measure. It is this measure that determines the nature, qualities, quantities, time and place of everything, as well as their links with others around them and the effect they produce.
这段简短的古兰经经文指向一个重大而庄严的真理，宇宙本身印证了这一真理。当心智观察周围的世界并对其作出回应时，它也会承认这一真理。人的心智必然会感到，宇宙是精密协调的。其中的一切都依照一种尺度而存在，这种尺度达到了绝对的平衡与协调。
This short Quranic statement refers to a major and momentous truth that is confirmed by the universe. It is acknowledged by the mind as it looks at the world around it and responds to it. The human mind is bound to feel that the universe is finely coordinated. Everything in it is according to a measure that achieves absolute balance and coordination.
通过观察、研究和经验，人们可以在这些方法所能达到的范围内，以及人类心智所能理解的程度上，领会这一真理。
Observation, research and experience will understand this truth in as far as these methods can achieve and the human mind can fathom.
然而在此之外，仍有更伟大、更完美的事物存在。人性能够体会宇宙施加于其上的和谐影响，因为人本身就是这个协调和谐的宇宙的一部分，而宇宙中的万物都是按照应有的尺度被造化的。
Yet there remains beyond it what is greater and more perfect. Human nature appreciates the harmonious influence the universe leaves on it, since it is indeed part of this same coordinated and harmonious universe, in which everything is created in due measure.
现代科学已经借助现有的工具和方法，触及了这一真理的某些方面。它如今了解行星与恒星之间的相对距离、它们的大小和引力，以至于科学家能够在看到某些行星之前就确定它们的位置。他们的推断基于这样一个前提：整体的协调要求这些行星处于他们所界定的位置。只有这些行星存在于既定位置，才能解释他们所监测的行星运动中的某些现象。随后，他们的推断得到了证实，这意味着所有天体都按照精确无误的关系安置于太空之中。
Modern science has managed to reach some aspects of this truth, using what is available of tools and practises. It knows now the relative distances between planets and stars, their sizes and gravity to the extent that scientists are able to determine the positions of some planets before they can actually see them. They make their assumptions on the basis that overall coordination requires that such planets be in the positions they have defined. Only the existence of such planets in their positions explains certain aspects of the movement of the planets they have monitored. Later on, their assumptions are proved true, which means that all celestial bodies are placed in space according to accurate relations that admit no error.
科学家现在认识到，我们地球所处位置上的平衡与协调，对于确保真主所意愿赐予地球的那种生命得以延续，是绝对必要的。他们说，倘若这种平衡在任何一个方面遭到破坏，地球上的一切生命都将毁灭，或者根本就不可能存在。地球的大小、质量、与太阳的距离、太阳的质量、其温度、地轴的倾角、其自转与公转的速度、月球相对于地球的位置、月球的大小与质量、地球上海洋与陆地的比例，以及其他许多方面和关系，都是按照精确的尺度而设定的。其中任何一项遭到扰乱，一切都将改变，最终导致地球上生命的终结。
Scientists now realize that balance and coordination in the position of our planet earth are absolutely necessary to ensure the continuity of the type of life God has willed to place on it. They say that should this balance be disturbed in any aspect, all life on earth will be destroyed or would not have been possible in the first place. The size of the earth, its mass, distance from the sun, the mass of the sun, its temperature, the angle of its axis, its speed as it rotates and moves in orbit, the position of the moon in relation to the earth, its size and mass, the relation between sea and dry land on earth, and scores of other aspects and relations are all made according to an accurate measure. Should any of these be disturbed, everything would change resulting in the end of life on earth.
我们如今对维持地球生命秩序所必需的大量因素之间的平衡与协调有了更多理解，这些因素能够确保生物与其生存环境之间、不同物种之间建立起恰当的相互关系。正是这种理解，使我们能够体会到《古兰经》经文所指向的深刻真理。环境中以及生物本性中的生存与延续因素，和死亡与灭绝因素，始终保持着如此精妙的平衡：既确保生命的延续与发展，又不让其无限增长，以免终有一天，维持生存所必需的资源不再充足。
Our understanding of the balance and coordination between a large number of factors that are necessary to keep life on earth under control and establish the proper interrelations between living creatures and the conditions in which they live, and between different species of creatures, is such that we can now appreciate the profound truth the Quranic verse refers to. The factors of life and survival on the one hand and those of death and extinction on the other in the environment and the nature of living creatures are always kept in such a fine balance as to ensure the continuity of life and its progress without allowing it to increase to the extent that there would not come a time when there is not enough of what is necessary for sustenance and survival.
我们在前一卷中详细讨论了宇宙和地球上的和谐与平衡，因此在此适宜讨论不同物种之间相互关系中的平衡。
We spoke at length on the harmony and balance in the universe and on earth in an earlier volume,1 and it is fitting that we discuss here the balance in the interrelation between different species:
猛禽数量较少，是因为它们产卵不多，而且它们生活在特殊的环境中。另一方面，它们的寿命比其他鸟类更长。如果猛禽能够以更高的速度繁殖，并且能在所有环境中都活得像现在这样长，那么它们就会导致体型更小、数量更多的鸟类灭绝，或使其数量大幅减少。这些小型鸟类之所以需要如此大量地存在，是因为它们处于食物链之中，并在地球生命的延续中发挥着重要作用。
Birds of prey are small in numbers because they lay few eggs. They also live in a special environment. On the other hand, they live longer than other birds. Had they been able to procreate at a higher rate and to live as long as they do in all environments, they would have ensured the extinction of smaller and more numerous birds or greatly reduced their numbers. These smaller birds are needed in such large numbers because they are part of the food chain and they fulfil an important role in the continuity of life on earth.
一只苍蝇会产下数百万枚卵，但它的寿命只有两周。如果苍蝇能够活上几年，并以同样的速度产卵，那么地球表面将会被苍蝇完全覆盖。人类的生存，以及许多其他物种的生存，都将变得不可能。
A fly lays millions of eggs, but its life span is two weeks. Had flies lived for a few years laying eggs at the same rate, the face of the earth would have been entirely covered with flies. Human life, as well as the life of many other species, would have become impossible.
然而，全能的真主所确立的平衡决定了寿命与繁衍速率之间的关系，以确保生命的延续。
However, the balance established by the Almighty determines the relation between life span and the rate of procreation to ensure the continuity of life.
在所有生物之中，微生物的数量最多，繁殖最快，破坏力也最强；但与此同时，它们的抵抗力最弱，寿命也最短。它们因冷、热、光照、酸、等离子体等诸多因素而大量死亡，动辄以百万计。它们只能制服数量有限的动物和人类。倘若它们的抵抗力更强或寿命更长，它们早已彻底毁灭生命了。
Among all living things, microbes are the largest in number and fastest in multiplication and devastation; but at the same time they have the weakest resistance and the shortest life span. They die in their millions as a result of many factors, such as cold, heat, light, acids, plasma, etc. They overpower only a limited number of animals and humans. Had they had stronger resistance or a longer life span, they would have destroyed life altogether.
每一种生物都配备了一种武器，用以保护自己免受天敌侵害，并确保自身的生存。这些武器各不相同，从群居成群到凶猛攻击，不一而足。两者之间还有种类繁多的武器和自卫方式。小蛇依靠毒液自卫，并以快速移动躲避敌害；大蛇则依靠肌肉的力量。因此，在大型蛇类中，有毒的种类较少。
Every living species is equipped with a weapon to protect itself against its natural enemies and to ensure its own survival. Such weapons vary from moving in numbers to ferocity of attack. In between there is a great variety of weapons and methods of self defence. Small snakes have their poison and move at speed to evade their enemies, while large ones rely on the strength of their muscles. Hence, the poisonous ones are fewer among large snakes.
甲虫自身防御能力较弱,但它们会向触碰到它们的东西喷射一种气味难闻、具有腐蚀性的物质来保护自己。鹿能够跳跃并以很快的速度奔跑,而狮子则极其强壮。所有生物,无论大小,都是如此。
Beetles, which have little in the way of self defence, can discharge on whatever touches them a foul-smelling caustic substance to protect themselves. Deers can jump and run at a fast speed, while lions are extremely powerful. Such are all living creatures, large and small.
同样，人类、动物、飞禽以及其他一切生物，包括最低等的物种，都具备获取食物的手段，并能从所摄取的食物中获益。受精卵附着在子宫壁上，需要营养。它会在子宫壁上造成一个破口，形成一个可供其摄取的血池，从而得以生长。胚胎通过连接其与母体的脐带获取养分。如果脐带过长，食物在到达胚胎之前就会发酵；如果脐带过短，食物就会猛烈地涌入，从而伤害胚胎。2
Likewise, man, animals, birds and all other creatures, including the lowest species, are equipped with the means to obtain their food and to benefit by what they feed upon. The fertilized egg which clings to the uterus needs nourishment. It causes a tear in the wall of the uterus, making a pool of blood which it can feed upon, and thus it grows. An embryo feeds through the umbilical cord that links it to its mother. Had the cord been too long, the food would have become fermented before it reached the embryo, and had it been too short, the food would have gushed through it, and harmed the embryo.2
在分娩之后，母亲的乳房会分泌出一种白色、略带淡黄的液体。真主创造的奇妙之一是，这种液体含有溶解的化学成分，用以保护新生儿免受疾病侵害。婴儿出生一天后，乳汁开始流出。上主的周密安排确保母乳的分量日复一日地增加，到孩子满一岁时每天可达一升半；而在最初的日子里，婴儿的体重只有几盎司。不仅乳汁的分量随之增加以满足婴儿的需要，其成分的种类和浓度也在变化。最初的乳汁更像是含有少量碳水化合物的水，但随着时间推移，糖、碳水化合物和蛋白质的浓度日复一日地增加，以确保孩子健康成长。3
When birth takes place a white, slightly yellowish liquid is produced from the mothers breasts. One of the wonders of Gods creation is that this liquid consists of dissolved chemicals to protect the newborn from illness. One day after the child’s birth milk begins to flow. God’s elaborate planning ensures that the quantity of the mother’s milk is increased day after day, amounting to one and a half litres a day by the time the child is one year old, while it weighs only a few ounces in the early days. It is not merely the quantity of the milk that increases to satisfy the child’s needs, but also its ingredients change in kind and concentration. In the early days it is more like water containing a small amount of carbohydrates, but as time goes on the concentration of sugar, carbohydrates and proteins increases day after day, to ensure the child’s healthy growth.3
当我们研究人体内的各个系统、它们的功能、生理机制以及在保障人体健康与生存中所起的作用时，我们会为其中精密的设计而惊叹。我们看到了真主的手在照料每一个个体，乃至每一个器官和每一个细胞。这里我们无法讨论这个奇妙的世界，因此，我们只提及内分泌腺的精细调节。
When we study the different systems in man’s body, their functions, physiology and role in ensuring man’s health and survival, we are amazed at the elaborate planning. We see God’s hand taking care of every individual, and indeed every organ and cell. We cannot discuss here this world of wonders. Therefore, we will only refer to the fine tuning of endocrine glands:
这些是为身体提供其所需化学物质的小型化工厂。它们的功效极强，十亿分之一的数量就足以严重影响身体。它们的运作有其秩序，每个腺体的分泌都与另一个腺体的分泌相互补充。关于这些分泌物，我们所知的只是它们出奇地复杂。一旦它们的分泌受到干扰，就会对身体造成全面的伤害；即便只持续很短的时间，后果也可能非常严重。4
These are small chemical factories providing the body with the chemicals it needs. They are so powerful that a fraction of one billionth of them will seriously affect the body. They function in such an order that the secretion of each gland complements the secretion of another. All that we know about these secretions is that they are surprisingly complex. Should their secretion be disturbed, this will cause general harm in the body, which could be very serious if it continues even for a short while.4
动物依据其各自的天性，以及它们所生活的环境和处境，拥有不同的体系。
Animals have different systems according to their different natures, as well as the environments and circumstances in which they live.
狮子、老虎、狼、鬣狗以及其他需要捕猎并杀死猎物的掠食动物，都长有锋利的牙齿和坚硬的臼齿。它们还拥有强健的腿部肌肉，以及锐利的爪子。它们的胃能够分泌消化生肉和骨头所需的酸和酶。5
Lions, tigers, wolves, hyenas, and other predators that need to hunt and kill their prey, have sharp teeth and firm molars. They also have strong leg muscles, as well as sharp claws. Their stomachs secrete the necessary acids and enzymes to digest raw meat and bones.5
反刍动物在草地上放牧，它们被赋予了各种不同的工具。
Ruminant animals that graze in meadows have been equipped with different tools:
它们的消化系统是按照其生存环境而设计的。它们的嘴巴相对宽大,没有犬齿和臼齿,取而代之的是锋利的门齿,帮助它们快速啃食草和植物,并囫囵吞下,以便能够为人类提供其天然的服务。神圣的眷顾赋予了这些动物一套极为独特的消化系统。它们所吃的食物首先进入瘤胃,瘤胃起着储存的作用。当动物完成了一天的劳作而坐下休息时,它所吃的食物会进入另一个称为网胃的部位,然后被送回口中,在此进行充分咀嚼,之后再被送入胃中称为瓣胃的第三个腔室。
Their digestive systems have been designed in a way that suits their environments. Their mouths are relatively wide, without canine teeth or molars. Instead they have sharp front teeth that help them to eat grass and plants quickly, swallowing them in gulps so as to be able to provide their natural service for man. Divine care has given these animals a most peculiar digestive system. The food they eat goes first to the rumen, which serves as a storage place. When the animal has finished its days work and sits for rest, the food it has eaten goes to another part called the reticulum, and then it is sent back to the mouth where it will now be chewed well before it is sent to a third compartment of the stomach called the omasum.
最后一个阶段是第四个胃室，称为皱胃。
The final stage is a fourth compartment called the abomasum.
这一漫长的消化过程还能保护这些动物,因为它们在觅食时常常遭到捕食者的袭击。因此,它们往往需要快速吞咽食物并藏匿起来。科学家说,这一消化过程是必要的,实际上也是至关重要的。草中所含的纤维素使其难以消化,这意味着动物需要很长时间来消化食物。如果没有瘤胃来储存食物,这些动物就必须花很长时间,也许是整整一天,用来吃草,甚至都无法获得足够的营养。割草并把它吃下去的过程本身就会使动物感到疲惫。事实上,它们把食物大口吞下,储存在瘤胃中,在那里食物被软化并经过一定程度的发酵,然后再回到口中进一步咀嚼。这使这些动物能够完成所有的功能:进行活动、进食并充分消化。一切荣耀归于真主,祂以精妙的设计创造了万物。6
This very long process also serves to protect these animals which are often attacked in their grazing places by predators. Therefore, they often need to swallow their food fast and hide. Scientists say that this process of digestion is necessary, indeed vital. Grass is hard to digest because of the cellulose it contains, which means that the animal needs a long time for digesting its food. Had it not had a rumen to store the food, these animals would have had to spend a long time, may be a whole day, in grazing without even giving them enough nourishment. The very process of cutting the grass and eating it would have been tiring to the animal. As it is, taking the food in gulps and storing it in the rumen where it is softened and fermented somewhat, then bringing it back to the mouth for further chewing, enables these animals to fulfil all functions: doing their work, eating and proper digestion. All glory belongs to God who created everything in an elaborate design.6
猛禽如猫头鹰和鸢，被赋予了锋利、弯曲如钩的喙，以便能够撕裂血肉。相反，鹅和鸭则被赋予了宽阔、扁平、如勺子般的喙，适合在泥水中捕捉食物。它们喙的两侧甚至长有小小的突起，充当切割草的牙齿。家禽和鸽子这类从地面啄食种子的鸟，喙短而尖。天鹅的喙明显很长，喙底部有一个囊袋，像渔夫的网一样发挥作用，因为天鹅主要以鱼为食。戴胜的喙长而尖，用来寻找常常藏在地表之下的昆虫和蠕虫。科学家常说，只要看一眼鸟的喙，就足以知道它吃什么。鸟类消化系统的其余部分也奇妙地独特。由于鸟类没有牙齿，它们被赋予了嗉囊和肌胃来帮助消化。鸟类还会啄取一些坚硬的物体和石子，以协助肌胃发挥消化功能。7
Birds of prey such as the owl and the kite are given sharp, curved, hook-like beaks to be able to tear flesh. Geese and ducks are, by contrast, given wide, flat and spoon-like beaks suitable for catching food in mud and water. They even have on both sides of their beaks little lumps which serve as teeth to cut grass. Domestic fowls and pigeons which pick up seeds from the ground have short and pointed beaks. The swan has a conspicuously long beak at the bottom of which there is a sack that serves like a fishermans net because swans feed mainly on fish. The hoopoe has a long and pointed beak that serves to look for insects and worms that are often below the surface of the ground. Scientists often say that a glance at a birds beak is enough to tell us what it feeds on. The rest of the digestive system of birds is wonderfully peculiar. Since birds do not have teeth, they are given a crop and a gizzard for digestion. Birds also pick some hard objects and stones to help the gizzard in its digestive function.7
如果我们以同样的方式去审视所有不同的物种,这一练习将耗时过久,也会偏离我们在本书中所遵循的方法。因此,我们现在只考察变形虫这种单细胞生物,看看真主如何为它设定了生存的使命,以及祂如何照料它。
If we were to look at all the different species in the same way, it would take far too long in this exercise and would deviate from the method we have followed in this work. Therefore, we will now just look at the amoeba, the single-celled creature, to see how God has set its role in life and how He takes care of it.
变形虫是一种微小的生物，生活在池塘或静止的水中，或生长于此类水底沉积的石头上。
The amoeba is a microscopic organism that lives in ponds or stagnant water, or on stones settled at the bottom of such waters.
它的身体呈胶状，能根据需要改变形状。移动时，它会伸出身体的某些部分当作脚来使用。找到食物时，它也用类似的伸出部分把食物捉住。它分泌一种消化液，用来消化对它有用的东西，并将剩余的部分排出体外。
Its body is jellylike, changing shape as needed. When it moves, it pushes forwards parts of its body to use like feet. When it finds food, it picks it up with similar protrusions. It secretes a digestive fluid so as to digest what is useful to it and ejects the remainder.
它用整个身体呼吸，从水中获取氧气。试想这种肉眼永远无法看见的小生物，却能完成全部生命功能，包括摄取营养、呼吸、排出废物以及移动。当它完成生长后，便会一分为二，每一半各自形成一个独立的变形虫……
It breathes with all its body, taking oxygen from water. Imagine this little creature which can never be seen with the naked eye performing all life functions, including taking nourishment, breathing, discharging unwanted stuff and moving around. When it has completed its growth, it divides into two, with each forming a separate amoeba...
植物世界的奇妙之处，丝毫不逊于人类、动物和鸟类的世界。在植物身上同样可以看到周密的规划：“他创造万物，并为之规定了恰当的度量。”*（25：2）
The wonders of the plant world are no less amazing than those of human, animal and bird life. Elaborate planning is equally observed in plants: “A is He who has created all things and ordained them in due proportions”* (25: 2)