我常常对评注《古兰经》经文感到犹豫,因为我知道自己的文风和资源都有所不足。就像第6章《牲畜》一样,我觉得自己难以胜任对本章进行阐释。然而,我又该怎么办呢?我深知,我们这一代人需要领受附有详细解说的《古兰经》,了解它的本质、方法、主题与宗旨。遗憾的是,人们已经远离了《古兰经》降示的环境,也远离了它的目的与目标。他们很少意识到它的意义与广度。即便是它的术语,对他们而言也未能传达其真正的含义。今天的人们所处的状态,与《古兰经》降示之时所面对的状态相似,但他们并没有像早期穆斯林那样,借助《古兰经》去对抗这种蒙昧(jāhiliyyah)。若没有这样的行动,人们便无法开始形成对《古兰经》及其奥秘的正确理解,因为对于那些坐享其成、不愿依循《古兰经》指引而行动的人而言,这些奥秘始终是一本封闭的书。

I often feel reluctant to comment on Qur’ānic texts, knowing that my style and resources are inadequate. As with Sūrah 6, Cattle, I find myself ill-equipped to explain the present sūrah. But what am I to do, realizing as I do that our generation needs to receive the Qur’ān with a detailed explanation of its nature, method, subject matter and aims? Unfortunately people have moved too far from the environment in which the Qur’ān was revealed, and from its purpose and goals. They are little aware of its import and dimensions. Even its terminology does not carry to them its true meanings. People today live in a state similar to that the Qur’ān faced at the time of its revelation, but they do not use the Qur’ān to confront this jāhiliyyah as the early Muslims did. Without such action, people cannot begin to formulate a proper understanding of the Qur’ān and its secrets, because such secrets remain a closed book for anyone who sits idle, unwilling to act according to Qur’ānic guidance.

然而，每当我试图评论《古兰经》时，我都感到不知所措。

Nevertheless, I am overwhelmed whenever I attempt to comment on the Qur’ān.

我无法用言语和文字表达我在聆听《古兰经》或思考其经文时所感受到的一切。因此，我深知，《古兰经》在我心中所唤起的情感与我呈现给读者的文字之间，存在着多么大的鸿沟。

It is impossible for me to put in words and sentences what I feel when I listen to the Qur’ān or reflect on its text. Hence, I know how wide the gulf is between the feelings the Qur’ān generates within me and what I present to my readers.

我also深切意识到，我们这一代与直接领受《古兰经》的那一代之间存在着巨大的鸿沟。《古兰经》直接向他们说话，他们感受到它的韵律，凝视它的意象，体会它的灵感，辨识它的暗示，与它互动并清晰地作出回应。他们致力于在生活方式中践行它的讯息，并在面对其反对者时坚守它。因此，他们能够在短暂的时间内完成按任何标准衡量都堪称奇迹的事业。他们使自己的情感、观念乃至整体生活彻底转变，并使其社群的生活、整个人类的生活，以及人类历史直至末日的走向，都发生了同样彻底而完整的改变。 Wait, I need to correct the output: "我also" should be "我同样"—fixing that: 我同样深切意识到，我们这一代与直接领受《古兰经》的那一代之间存在着巨大的鸿沟。《古兰经》直接向他们说话，他们感受到它的韵律，凝视它的意象，体会它的灵感，辨识它的暗示，与它互动并清晰地作出回应。他们致力于在生活方式中践行它的讯息，并在面对其反对者时坚守它。因此，他们能够在短暂的时间内完成按任何标准衡量都堪称奇迹的事业。他们使自己的情感、观念乃至整体生活彻底转变，并使其社群的生活、整个人类的生活，以及人类历史直至末日的走向，都发生了同样彻底而完整的改变。

I am also profoundly aware of the great gulf that separates our generation from that which directly received the Qur’ān. The Qur’ān addressed them directly, and they felt its rhythm, viewed its images, appreciated its inspiration and recognized its hints, interacting with it and making their response clear. They aimed to fulfil its message in their approach to life and their confrontation with its opponents. Hence, they were able to accomplish what was, by all standards, miraculous in a short time- span. They achieved a total about-turn in their feelings, concepts and life generally, and produced a similar and complete change in the life of their community, in human life generally and in the line human history would take to the end of time.

他们饮用的是《古兰经》的源泉，不允许任何中介置于他们与《古兰经》之间。《古兰经》初次被诵降时的旋律，他们的耳朵便已感受到，他们也领会了其中的温暖与启迪。因此，他们立即行动起来，依照其中的原则、价值观和所陈述的事实来塑造自己的生活与思想。相比之下，我们当今这一代人则依照这种或那种哲学路径来安排自己的生活模式，却很少意识到，这些路径的反对者也不过是凡人，同样容易犯各种各样的错误。

They drank at the Qur’ānic spring, allowing no intermediary between them and the Qur’ān. Their ears felt its music as it was first spoken, and they appreciated its warmth and inspiration. Hence, they took immediate action to mould their lives and thoughts in accordance with its principles, values and the facts it presented. By contrast, our present generation shapes its life pattern in accordance with this or that philosophical approach, little realizing that the opponents of such approaches are only mortals too, liable to all manner of error.

此外,当我们审视那些早期穆斯林在自身以及周围生活中所取得的成就时——以任何标准衡量,这些成就都堪称奇迹——我们往往用自己的逻辑去解释,而这套逻辑所依据的标准和价值观与他们根本不同。因此,我们在判断他们的动机与目标、评价他们所取得的成果时便会出现偏差。我们忘记了,《古兰经》把他们造就成了另一种不同的人。

Furthermore, when we consider what those early Muslims achieved within themselves and in the life around them, which was miraculous by any standard, we try to explain such achievements by reference to our own logic based on standards and values that are fundamentally different from theirs. Hence, we err in identifying their motives and goals and in appreciating the results they achieved. We forget that they were made a different creation by the Qur’ān.

我恳请我的读者们不要以理解我的这本书为目的。他们应当阅读此书，以便更加亲近《古兰经》，然后放下此书，直接面对《古兰经》本身。除非他们将自己奉献于在生活中落实和履行《古兰经》的价值观与原则，并在它的旗帜下对抗敌对势力，否则他们无法做到这一点。

I appeal to my readers not to make the understanding of my book their aim. They should read it to draw nearer to the Qur’ān, then put the book aside and approach the Qur’ān as it is. They cannot do so unless they dedicate themselves to the implementation and fulfilment of its values and principles in their lives, fighting opposition forces under its banner.

当我开始细读这一章时，我的第一个想法是：仿佛我是第一次读它，尽管我已经读过、听过无数次。然而，《古兰经》给予你的，取决于你投入多少。每一次，它都会以新的光明、启迪和韵律向你敞开，给予你的，正是你准备接受的程度。它每次听来都清新如初，仿佛你从未读过、听过或接触过它一样。

This was my first thought as I began to look at this sūrah, as if I was reading it for the first time, although I had read and heard it countless times. The Qur’ān, however, gives you as much as you give to it. Each time, it opens up to you with new light, inspiration and rhythm, giving as much as you are prepared to receive. It sounds fresh every time, as though you had never read, heard or dealt with it before.

本章是一章非凡的经文。它从头到尾保持着同样的韵律，营造着同样的氛围。 尽管如此，它向我们呈现了无数的意象、情感和思想，充盈我们的想象，并以各种可能的方式触动我们的心灵与灵魂。它以灿烂的光辉和无尽的意义，带着我们的心灵走向更广阔的世界、时代与地平线，使我们始终保持清醒，理解所见所闻的一切。

The present sūrah is a remarkable one, maintaining the same rhythm and giving the same ambience from start to finish. 2 Nevertheless, it presents us with a multitude of images, feelings and thoughts that fill our imagination and address our hearts and souls in every possible way. With its brilliant light and endless meanings, it travels with our hearts to wider worlds, times and horizons, keeping us fully aware, understanding everything we see and hear.

这里呈现的并非仅仅是词语与句子，而是一种强烈而有力的节奏贯穿整个章节，渗透于其中的意象、含义与细微之处。

What we have here is not words and sentences; rather, a strong, hammering rhythm pervades the entire sūrah, permeating its images, meanings, and finer touches.

该sūrah的主题，与所有麦加启示一样，是信仰及其相关的主要问题：真主的独一与主宰，今世与后世对祂的顺从，启示、复活及其关联事项。然而，这一单一主题及其多重脉络，在任何两章经文中都从未以相同的方式呈现，无论这些章是在麦加还是麦地那降示的。每一次，我们都能看到它以新的方式、新的光芒被呈现出来，从而产生不同的感染力与启迪。

The main theme of the sūrah, like all Makkan revelations,3 is faith and the main issues which surround it: God’s oneness and Lordship, submission to Him in this world and in the life to come, revelation, resurrection and its correlatives. Yet this single issue with its multiple strands is never presented in the same way in any two sūrahs, whether revealed in Makkah or Madinah. Every time we find it presented in a new way and new light, generating a different impact and inspiration.

这些问题并非以冷冰冰的逻辑推论的学术论证形式呈现，而是置于一个框架之中，这个框架便是宇宙及其非凡的现象，它们作为证据，等待开明的心灵去领悟和体会。

These issues are not presented in the form of an academic argument, based on cold logic. Instead they are presented within a framework, which is the universe and its remarkable phenomena which serve as proofs to be appreciated by open minds.

这些奇妙的现象是无穷无尽的。事实上，它们每天都呈现出新的面貌，一次又一次地揭示其奥秘。即便是早先已经揭示的内容，在新的发现之光下，似乎也获得了新的视角。因此，这一章所讨论的问题依然鲜活。

These marvellous phenomena are unending. Indeed, they look new every day, as they continue to reveal their secrets time after time. Even what was revealed earlier seems to acquire a new perspective in the light of new discovery. Hence, the issues the sūrah tackles remain alive.

本章经文带领人心作一次宏伟的游历,以种种壮丽的景象向它展示宇宙:无柱支撑而升起的天空;太阳和月亮按确定的期限运行;黑夜被白昼所覆盖;大地的展开,其上有坚固的山峦和奔流的河川;园圃、庄稼和枣树,形状、滋味和颜色各不相同,却生长在灌溉于同一水源的相邻土地上;闪电既引起畏惧,也带来希望;雷声赞颂并荣耀真主;天使敬畏地侍立;真主降下雷击,击向他所意欲的人;满载雨水的云层倾泻于河床之中;泡沫消失于无形,而有益之物则留存于大地。

The sūrah takes the human heart on a grand tour, showing it the universe in a variety of spectacular images: the heavens raised without support; the sun and the moon pursuing their courses for a definite time; the night covered by day; the spread of the earth with its firm mountains and running rivers; gardens, plants and date trees with different shapes, tastes and colours yet growing in adjacent land irrigated with the same water; the lightning generating fear and hope; the thunder glorifying and praising God; the angels standing in awe; the thunderbolt God hurls against whomever He wishes; the clouds heavy with rain that pours over riverbeds; and the foam that disappears into nothing to allow what is of benefit to stay.

该章追随人心，无论它想往何处去。这种追随建立在真主绝对的知识之上，这知识涵盖每一个细微之处，包括隐藏之事，以及在光天化日之下明显活动的事物。它是记录任何生灵所生起的每一个转瞬即逝念头的知识。同时，凡是超出人类感知范围的事物，也都在真主的知识之内，包括每位女性所怀的胎儿，以及妊娠期间的增减变化。

The sūrah pursues the human heart wherever it tries to go. This pursuit is based on God’s absolute knowledge which encompasses every little detail, including what is concealed or moving openly in broad daylight. It is the knowledge that records every fleeting thought occurring to any living thing. At the same time, whatever happens to be beyond the reach of human perception is encompassed by God’s knowledge, including what every female conceives and whatever falls short or increases in gestation.

这一章给人以印象：真主的大能涵盖整个宇宙——隐秘与显露、宏大与微小、近在眼前与远在天边。

The sūrah gives an impression of the nature of God’s power that encompasses the entire universe: the hidden and the apparent, large and small, present and removed.

人类的心智所能想象的宇宙的那一部分，确实宏大而令人敬畏。

The part of the universe that human faculties can imagine is great and awesome indeed.

此外,该章还包含一些比喻,以生动、感人的场景和画面呈现出来。它还描绘了审判日的场景:有人因此而欢喜,有人因此而受苦,以及人们对这两种结果的反应。此外,章中还简要提及了前代民族的命运、他们的行为方式,以及他们如何受到神的律法及其运行规律的约束。

In addition, the sūrah includes some parables that are presented in vivid, moving scenes and images. It also adds a scene of the Day of Judgement, with its happiness for some and suffering for others, and people’s reactions to both. There are also brief references to the fate of earlier generations and how they conducted themselves, and were subjected to God’s law and its operation.

这些是该章主要的主题和议题，简要概括如下。该章在呈现这些议题方面也颇具艺术性。呈现这些议题的总体框架是宇宙，以及其中引人注目的现象和壮观的意象。然而，这一框架之中又有一种特殊的氛围，它由对比鲜明的自然景象和现象所营造：天与地；日与月；夜与昼；实体与阴影；屹立的山峦与奔流的河川；无用的泡沫与渗透的清水；彼此相邻却各不相同的土地；成簇与不成簇的椰枣树，等等。

These are, in brief, the main themes and issues tackled in the sūrah. The sūrah is also remarkable for its artistry in presenting these issues. The general framework within which these issues are presented is the universe, with its remarkable phenomena and spectacular imagery. But the framework here has a special ambience provided by contrasting natural scenes and phenomena: heaven and earth; sun and moon; night and day; entities and shadows; firm mountains and running rivers; useless scum and penetrating water; adjacent but different pieces of land; clustered and non-clustered date trees, etc.

这种对比还被进一步延伸，涵盖了所有的意义、行为与命运。如此一来，抽象的对比便与具体的对比相互呼应，共同烘托出整体的意境。于是我们看到，在神的至高权能之中存在着清晰的对照：祂在宝座上确立自身，使太阳与月亮服从祂的安排；子宫中的胎儿在怀胎时有的短于应有的时日，有的则在增长；有人低声细语，有人高声说话；有人在夜色中悄然潜行，有人在光天化日之下昂然行走；闪电使恐惧与希望重新焕发；雷霆以赞颂荣耀神，天使则怀着敬畏荣耀祂。

This element of contrast is carried further so as to include all meanings, actions and fates. Thus, the abstract contrast echoes the physical one to perfect its general atmosphere. Thus we see the clear contrast within God’s supreme power as He establishes Himself on the throne making both the sun and the moon subservient; embryos in the womb fall short in gestation with others increasing; the one who speaks in whispers and the one who speaks aloud; the one who moves stealthily in the night and the one who walks in broad daylight; fear and hope regenerated by lightning; the glorification of God in praise by the thunder and in fear by the angels.

真正向真主祈求的祷告，与向虚假神明祈求的虚妄祷告形成对比。同样，我们也看到知者与盲者之间的对比；先前经典的信众为《古兰经》而欢喜，与否认其中某些部分的人之间的对比；以及真主记录之中废止与确认之间的对比。

The true prayer addressed to God is contrasted with the false one addressed to false deities. Similarly we see the contrast between those who know and those who are blind; the people of earlier revelations who are delighted by the Qur’ān and those who deny some parts of it; the annulment and the confirmation in God’s records.

整部章节中，其含义、指示和动作都充分运用了对比的手法。

Everything in the sūrah: its meanings, directions and movements utilize the element of contrast to the full.

这部经章的另一处卓越的风格和谐体现在：该章以天地、日月、雷电、霹雳与雨水等自然景象作为背景，同时也提及动物子宫中所怀的胎儿，并附带"子宫可能减少多少、增加多少"的说明。这两方面与河床中流淌的水以及植物的生长相互呼应。

Another aspect of the remarkable harmony of style is seen in the fact that because the sūrah raises a background of natural scenes, referring to heaven and earth, sun and moon, thunder and lightning, thunderbolts and rain, it also mentions what is carried in animal wombs, coupled with a reference to “by how much the wombs may fall short [in gestation], and by how much they may increase.” These two aspects are in harmony with the water running in riverbeds and the growth of vegetation.

《古兰经》的文体具有一贯的和谐性。

Harmony is a consistent aspect of the Qur’ānic style.

所有这些都解释了我为何觉得自己能力不足，也不愿以我那欠缺的文笔去处理《古兰经》的章节。然而，这一需要依然迫切，因为我们这一代人已不再与《古兰经》同在。因此，我恳请真主赐我帮助与扶持，以完成这项任务。

All this provides some explanation as to why I feel inadequate and reluctant to tackle Qur’ānic sūrahs with my inadequate style. But once more the need is compelling, because people in our generation do not live with the Qur’ān. I therefore seek God’s help and support in this task.