本章是一篇麦加时期的启示,阐述了《古兰经》希望人性永不忽视的伟大信仰。这一信仰建立在顺服真主的基础之上:真主是独一的,是生命、人类与宇宙的创造者,他掌管一切事务,主宰一切存在,无论它们身在何处。这一信仰还要求人们信仰穆罕默德ﷺ的使命,《古兰经》正是从天上降示给他的,用以引导世人走向他们的主。

This sūrah, a Makkan revelation, presents the great faith which the Qur’ān wants human nature never to overlook. This is the faith based on submission to God, the One, the Creator of life, man and the universe, who conducts all affairs and controls all beings, wherever they are. It also requires belief in Muhammad’s message to whom the Qur’ān has been bestowed from on high to guide people to their Lord.

这一信仰的另一个必要组成部分，是相信复活、清算、审判与报应。

Another essential ingredient of this message is belief in resurrection, reckoning, judgement and reward.

诚然，所有在麦加启示的章节都围绕这一核心议题展开，但每一章都有其独特的切入方式，并运用其特有的表现手法。尽管如此，它们都汇聚于同一目标：以那位全知者的知识触动人心——祂知晓心灵与思想所怀藏和隐匿的一切。祂还了解心的本质，知道什么会影响它们，以及它们在各种情况下如何感受并作出反应。

Indeed all the sūrahs revealed in Makkah deal with this main issue, but each has its own approach and uses its own special effects. Nonetheless, all converge to address the human heart with the knowledge of the One who knows all, including what hearts and minds may harbour and conceal. He further knows the nature of hearts, what affects them, how they feel and react in all situations.

本章节对信仰这一主题的处理方式,与前一章《卢格曼》截然不同。它在开篇经文中便完整地提出了整个问题,其余部分则提供各种提示与触动,唤醒人心与灵魂,呼唤人们进行思索与反省。它还从宇宙万物、人类的起源及其成长发展之中,提供证据与明证。它呈现了末日审判的场景,栩栩如生,并述说了前代民族的命运,其废墟本身便是进一步的证明,只要世人肯于思索。

This sūrah deals with this issue of faith in a totally different way to that followed in the preceeding sūrah, Luqmān. It presents the whole issue in its opening verses, while the rest of the sūrah provides notes and touches that awaken hearts and souls, calling for contemplation and reflection. It also provides evidence and proof derived from what is in the universe, and the origins of man and how he develops. It presents scenes from the Day of Judgement which are full of life, and it refers to the fates of earlier communities whose ruins provide further evidence if only people would contemplate this.

这一章经文描绘了信士们的图景：他们如何崇拜，如何渴望与主相见，并将他们与顽固的不信者形成对比。经文展现了两类人的归宿与所得的报应，仿佛这一切正发生在我们眼前。

The sūrah draws pictures of believers and how they worship and aspire to meet their Lord, contrasting these with stubborn unbelievers. It shows the end of both groups and their rewards as though this is taking place now before our very eyes.

通过这种方式,本章为人心提供了所需的一切,使其能够反思、沉思、畏惧后果、向往并怀抱希望。它进行警告、劝导并使人信服。最后,它让人自己选择道路,并在已获得作出明智抉择所需的全部信息与引导之后,等待自己的归宿。

In this way, the sūrah presents the human heart with what it needs to reflect, contemplate, fear the consequences of, aspire to and hope for. It warns, persuades and convinces. At the end, it leaves man to choose his way and await his destiny having been given all the information and guidance it needs to make an enlightened choice.

在对这一重大问题的阐述中,此章可分为四至五个相互关联的部分。它以三个独立字母"Alif、Lām、Mīm"开篇,以表明所降示的经典是由这类字母构成的。它消除了一切疑虑,确认其为"众世界的主"所降示。(第2节)它提出一个修辞性的问题,惊讶于不信道者声称《古兰经》是先知编造的这一说法。随后断言,这是启示给他的真理,使他能够警告自己的民众,"以期他们得到引导"。(第3节)这便是信仰的第一个问题:启示的问题,以及先知在传达众世界之主的启示时所说的是真实的。

In its presentation of this great issue, the sūrah can be divided into four or five related sections. It begins with the three separate letters, Alif, Lām, Mīm, to indicate that the revealed book is composed of letters like these. It removes all doubt about its being revealed by God ‘the Lord of all the worlds.’ (Verse 2) It poses a rhetorical question that wonders at the unbelievers’ claim that the Qur’ān was invented by the Prophet. It follows this with an assertion that it is the truth revealed to him so that he can warn his people in the hope “that they may be guided.” (Verse 3) This is the first issue of faith: the issue of revelation and the fact that the Prophet tells the truth as he delivers the message of the Lord of all the worlds.

接着,本章谈到主的独一及其在宇宙中的显迹:创造天地以及天地之间的一切,掌管宇宙,天上地下的事务如何运行,末日所有事物都将归于祂,还有人的创造——人的起源、发展的各个阶段,以及人获得视听和理解的能力。然而,很少有人感恩。这是第二个议题,阐述主的诸般属性:创造、主宰、慈善、恩赐、全知、怜悯与恩典。

The sūrah then speaks about Godhead and its manifestations in the universe: the creation of the heavens and the earth and all that is in between them, control of the universe, how matters in the heavens and the earth are conducted, the reference of all things to Him on the Day of Judgement, as well as the creation of man — his origin, stages of development, and his acquisition of sight, hearing and understanding. Yet rarely do people give thanks. This is the second issue, detailing attributes of the Godhead: creation, control, kindness, benefaction, knowledge, mercy and grace.

他们都在谈论创造的经文中被提及。

They are all mentioned in the verses speaking about creation.

第三个问题是复活与前定的问题。本章针对不信道者对复活的怀疑给出了明确的回答：他们说：“难道我们已经消失在土中之后，还要被重新创造吗？”（第10节）

The third issue is that of resurrection and destiny. The sūrah provides a firm answer to the unbelievers’ doubts about being resurrected after having been buried and lost in the earth: “They say: What! After we have vanished into the earth, shall we be [restored to life] in a new act of creation?” (Verse 10)

该章接着描绘了审判日的一幕："那时，犯罪者将在主的面前低头。"（第12节）那时他们将确信后世的存在，并承认伊斯兰教信息的真理。

The sūrah then presents a scene from the Day of Judgement “when those evildoers will hang down their heads before their Lord.” (Verse 12) At that time they will declare their certainty of the hereafter and their belief in the truth of the Islamic message.

他们会说出一句话，若他们在今世说出，这句话本可为他们开启天堂的大门。然而在那一天，他们所处的境况中，这句话对他们毫无益处。展示这一场景，是为了让他们在今世说出这句话，或许能因此受到激励。

They will say the word which, had they said it in this life, would have opened up for them the gates of heaven. However, in their position on that day it is of no use to them. This scene is shown so that, perchance, it will encourage them to say this word now.

与这一幅可悲的景象形成对照的是，本章也描绘了今世的信士：每当他们被提醒主的迹象时，便“俯伏叩拜，赞颂他们的主，赞美他的无限光荣，而且他们不骄傲；他们夜间离开床铺，恐惧而又怀着希望地向他们的主祈祷；他们把我所供给他们的，施舍出去。”（第15-16节）这是一幅令人振奋的景象，随后又展现了另一幅景象：真主为这样的信士所预备的幸福，超出人们所能想象的一切：“没有一个灵魂知道，为了他们所行的善功，给他们藏着什么样的福乐作为赐予。”（第17节）

In juxtaposition with this miserable image, the sūrah shows the believers in this life who, whenever they are reminded of their Lord’s signs, “fall down prostrating themselves in adoration, and extol their Lord’s limitless glory and praise; and who are never arrogant; who drag themselves out of their beds at night to pray to their Lord in fear and hope; and who are charitable with what We provide for them.” (Verses 15-16) This is an inspiring image, followed by another showing what God has prepared for such believers of happiness that exceeds all that people can imagine: “No one can imagine what blissful delights have been kept in store for them as a reward for what they used to do.” (Verse 17)

该章随后简要说明了信士与不信者分别的归宿，即天堂与火狱。它警告不义者，在他们将来要承受的更严厉的火狱刑罚之前，真主会在今世降下惩罚。

The sūrah then shows briefly the fates of believers and unbelievers, in heaven and hell respectively. It warns the wrongdoers about God’s punishment on earth, prior to their more severe punishment in hell.

接下来提到了穆萨与穆罕默德ﷺ的信息之间的统一性（愿二人平安）。它说明了他的族人中的信士如何在逆境中坚持宣扬神圣的信仰。它还提到，真主因为他们的坚忍而使他们成为领袖。这段提及给伊斯兰的宣讲者们一个清晰的信息：在逆境中保持耐心，并尽管面临一切反对，依然坚持不懈。

Then follows a reference to Moses and the unity between his message and that of Muhammad (peace be upon them both). It shows how the believers among his people persevered in advocating the divine faith in the face of adversity. It mentions that God made them leaders because of their perseverance. This reference gives a clear message to the advocates of Islam to remain patient in adversity and to persevere despite all the opposition they face.

该章随后简要地带我们巡览前代民族的命运，以及他们往昔如何经营生活，对真理一无所知。它也展示了雨水降落在死寂的土地上，土地如何重新焕发生机。如此，毁灭与生机这两幅相反的景象，在短短几行经文中并列呈现。该章最后转述了他们的提问：“这审判何时到来？”（第28节）

The sūrah then takes us on a quick round of the fate of earlier communities and how they used to go about their business, oblivious to the truth. It also shows us how dead land is brought to life when rain falls over it. In this way, the two contrasting images of ruin and life are depicted side by side in just a few lines. The sūrah then concludes by reporting on their question: “When will this judgement be.” (Verse 28).

这句话是在询问他们对于警告何时应验所抱的怀疑。回答则警告他们，这一天将带来严重的苦难。先知也被命令放任他们，任其走向必然而可悲的结局。

This is asked to express doubt about the day when warnings will come true. The answer given warns them of the grievous suffering that this day brings. The Prophet is also directed to leave them to their inevitable and sorry fate.