在这一段，本章谈到了一些表现出软弱的群体，但更多篇幅用于揭露伪信者。这些人假装信仰，在伊斯兰已显示出力量、看似必将胜利之后，混入穆斯林的行列。他们觉得低头归顺伊斯兰更为安全，可以借此获得其他各种利益。与此同时，既然公开敌对已不可行，他们便可以从内部破坏穆斯林群体。因此，我们将在这里看到我们在序言中提到的那些软弱的各个方面。
At this point the sūrah speaks about certain groups that demonstrated weakness, but it reserves more space for exposing the hypocrites who pretended to believe in order to join the Muslim ranks after Islam had shown its strength and looked certain to triumph. They felt it safer to bow their heads to Islam so as to acquire whatever they might by way of other gain. Simultaneously, and with open hostility no longer feasible, they could also undermine the Muslim community from within. Here, then, we will encounter all those aspects of weakness to which we referred in the Prologue.
如果是近利可得、路程不远，他们必定会跟随你；但路途遥远，对他们来说太难了。然而他们会指着真主起誓说："如果我们能够，一定会与你们同去。"他们在毁灭自己，真主确知他们是说谎的人。
愿真主原谅你（先知）！在你还没有分清谁说的是实话、谁是说谎的人之前，你为何就准许他们留下了呢？
信仰真主和末日的人，不会请求你免除他们为真主的道路而以财产和生命奋斗。真主完全知道谁是敬畏主的人。只有那些不真正信仰真主和末日的人，才向你请求免除。他们的心中充满疑虑，他们因疑惑而犹豫不定。
如果他们真的打算与你同去，就一定会为此做些准备。但真主厌恶他们出征，便使他们停留不动；并且有人对他们说：
Had there been [a prospect of] an immediate gain, and a short journey, they would certainly have followed you; but the distance was too far for them. Yet they will swear by God: ‘Had we been able, we would surely have joined you.’ They bring ruin upon themselves. God knows indeed that they are liars. May God forgive you [Prophet]! Why did you grant them permission [to stay behind] before you had come to know who were speaking the truth and who were the liars. Those who believe in God and the Last Day will not ask you to exempt them from striving with their property and with their lives. God has full knowledge as to who are the God-fearing. Only those who do not truly believe in God and the Last Day ask you for exemption. Their hearts are filled with doubt; and troubled by doubt, they do waver. Had they really intended to set out [with you], they would surely have made some preparations for that. But God was averse to their going, so He caused them to hold back; and it was said to them:
“你们就和留守的人一同留守吧。”如果他们曾与你们一同出征，只会给你们增添麻烦，并且会在你们中间奔走往来，企图挑拨离间。你们中间也有人会去听信他们。
Stay behind with those who stay.’ Had they set out with you, they would have added nothing to you but trouble, and would have scurried to and fro in your midst, seeking to sow discord among you. There are among you some who would have lent them ear.
诚然，真主完全知晓不义者的所作所为。在此之前，他们就曾企图挑起纷争，并对你策划阴谋，直到真理显明，真主的旨意得以实现，尽管这于他们而言是可憎的。（经文42-48节）
Certainly God has full knowledge of the wrongdoers. They had, even before this time, tried to sow discord, and devised plots against you, until the truth was revealed and the will of God prevailed, no matter how hateful it is to them. (Verses 42-48)
首先需要指出的是，如果当时的情况涉及即时的利益或一段并无严重风险的短途旅程，他们本会跟随先知ﷺ同行。但此次的行程并不轻松。
The first thing highlighted here is that had the situation involved the prospect of immediate gain or the undertaking of a short journey, which represented no serious risk, they would have joined the Prophet. But the undertaking was not an easy one.
目的地对于那些意志薄弱、缺乏追求荣耀之志的人来说实在太远了。这样的努力并非为心志柔弱者所准备。人们被号召去迎接一个伟大的时刻,这个时刻将考验他们的品格。因此,在这个群体中,我们会发现一种贯穿各个时代的人:“假若有近利可图,路程也不远,他们必定会跟随你;但路途对他们来说太遥远了。”(第42节)
The destination was much too far for those with a weak resolve and a frail aptitude for glory. The effort required was not for those with weak hearts. People were called upon to rise to a great occasion, one which would prove their metal. Hence we find in the community a type of people that we encounter across all generations: “Had there been [a prospect of] an immediate gain, and a short journey, they would certainly have followed you; but the distance was too far for them.” (Verse 42)
无数人在看到通往高峰的道路时便转身离去。
Countless people turn their backs when they see a road leading to a high summit.
当他们意识到自己必须走的是一段漫长的路程时，便会退缩，宁愿追求眼前的利益，哪怕这利益微不足道。这样的人存在于每一个社群、每一个时代。他们并非只见于麦地那社群之中的一小群人，而是处处可见。他们在生活的边缘徘徊，尽管他们或许以为自己没有付出高昂代价就已达成了目标。微薄的代价只能换来琐碎、毫无价值的东西。
When they realize that it is a long way that they must traverse, they withdraw, preferring to seek immediate gain, petty as it may be. Such people are found in every community and in all generations. They are not a small group found in the Madinah community only; they are encountered everywhere. They languish on the margins of life, although they may think that they have attained their goals without having to pay a hefty price. A paltry price can only buy what is trivial, worthless.
“他们将指着真主起誓说：‘假如我们能够，我们必定会跟你们一起出征。’”（第42节）撒谎总是与怯懦和软弱相伴。只有软弱胆怯的人才会求助于谎言，尽管他们有时看上去似乎拥有相当大的力量。强者不会犹豫，会正面迎对任何情况，而软弱的人则总是闪烁其词、逃避躲闪。这是一条屡试不爽的规律。“他们是在毁灭自己。”（第42节）他们以虚假的起誓毁灭了自己，却以为这样能够在他人眼中保全自己。然而，真主知道真相，并将其昭示于世人。因此，说谎者在今世会因其谎言的后果而走向毁灭；在后世，当他在真主面前无法再否认自己真实的动机时，他也毁灭了自己，因为“真主确实知道他们是说谎者。”（第42节）
“They will swear by God: ‘Had we been able, we would surely have joined you.’” (Verse 42) Lying goes hand in hand with cowardice and weakness. Only the weak and faint- hearted resort to lies, even though they may occasionally appear to command considerable power. A strong person will not hesitate to face any eventuality head on, while the weak will always remain evasive. It is a rule that never fails. “They bring ruin upon themselves.” (Verse 42) They certainly ruin themselves by their false swearing which they imagine will save them in the eyes of other people. However, God knows the truth and He reveals it to mankind. Thus the liar is ruined in this life by the effects of his falsehood and he ruins himself in the hereafter when he cannot deny his true motives before God, because “God knows indeed that they are liars.” (Verse 42)
“愿真主宽恕你［先知］！在你还没有分辨出谁说的是实话、谁是说谎者之前，你为何就准许他们留下？”（第43节）这里体现了真主的仁慈，祂在责备之前先宣布了赦免。那些留守不出征的伪信士，在先知准许他们以所陈述的借口留下之后，得以隐藏他们的真面目。这本是揭露他们虚伪的良机，因为即使先知不准许，他们也会留下不去。如果先知不予准许，他们就会以本来的面目显露出来，不再披着虚伪的外衣。
“May God forgive you [Prophet]! Why did you grant them permission [to stay behind] before you had come to know who were speaking the truth and who were the liars?” (Verse 43) Here we have an example of God’s kindness as He begins with stating His pardon before His reproach. Those hypocrites who stayed behind were able to hide their true colours when the Prophet allowed them to stay behind after they had presented their excuses. This was a chance to expose their falsehood, because they would have stayed behind anyway, even though the Prophet would have withheld his permission. They would have been seen as they truly were, without their false guise.
但是，这种情况并没有发生，《古兰经》揭露了他们，并明确阐述了区分真信士与伪信者的准则："信仰真主和末日的人，不会请求你准许他们不用自己的财产和生命去奋斗。真主完全知道谁是敬畏者。只有不真正信仰真主和末日的人才会请求你准许他们不去。他们的心中充满疑虑，他们在疑虑中动摇不定。"（第44-45节）
But since this did not happen, the Qur’ān exposes them and states clearly the rules which distinguish the true believers from the hypocrites: “Those who believe in God and the Last Day will not ask you to exempt them from striving with their property and with their lives. God has full knowledge as to who are the God-fearing. Only those who do not truly believe in God and the Last Day ask you for exemption. Their hearts are filled with doubt; and troubled by doubt, they do waver.” (Verses 44-45)
这是一条永不落空的准则：那些信仰真主和末日的人，不会等待许可便为真主的事业而战。他们不会犹豫，会响应号召，竭力奋斗，献出财产和生命。无论装备轻重，他们都会急速响应，因为这是真主所命令的。他们服从真主，确信必将在末日与祂相见，坚信会得到祂的回报，并希望赢得祂的喜悦。他们争先自愿参加，因此根本不需要鼓励，更不需要特别的许可。
This is the rule which will never fail. Those who believe in God and in the Day of Judgement do not wait for permission in order to fight for God’s cause. They will not hesitate to answer the call to strive hard, offering their wealth and their lives. They will rush to respond, whether they are lightly or heavily armed, as God has commanded. They obey Him, assured that they will meet Him on the Day of Judgement, certain of His reward, and hoping to win His pleasure. They are quick to volunteer, and so they do not need any encouragement, let alone special permission.
那些请求准许的人，是心中信仰薄弱的人。因此他们懈怠，寻找各种借口。他们确实希望有某件事发生，好阻止他们去履行他们所假装拥有的信仰所要求的责任，而他们却是摇摆不定、充满疑虑的人。
Those who seek permission are the ones whose hearts have little faith. Hence they slacken, seeking all kinds of excuses. Indeed they hope for something to happen which will prevent them from fulfilling the tasks required by the faith they pretend to have, when they are waverers, full of doubt.
通往真主喜悦的道路笔直且标示清楚。只有不认识这条道路的人,或者虽然认识却想逃避其艰辛的人,才会不愿意走上这条路。在塔布克远征时留守不出的人,若他们愿意,本来是能够加入军队的,他们拥有一切所需的条件。其中有阿卜杜拉·伊本·乌拜伊和贾德·伊本·盖斯这样的人,两人都很富有,出身于贵族之中。“假若他们真的想跟你们出征,必定会为此做些准备。但真主厌恶他们出征,所以阻止了他们。”(第46节)
The way leading to God’s pleasure is straight and clearly marked. Only a person who does not know the way, or one who knows it but tries to avoid its hardship, is reluctant to follow it. Those who stayed behind at the time of the Tabūk Expedition were able to join the army, had they wished to do so. They had all the means at their disposal. Among them were people like `Abdullāh ibn Ubayy and al-Jadd ibn Qays, both of whom were rich and from among the nobility. “Had they really intended to set out [with you], they would surely have made some preparations for that. But God was averse to their going.” (Verse 46)
这是因为真主知道他们的本性和虚伪，以及他们对信士怀有的恶意，这一点我们将在后文看到。因此，“真主使他们退缩”，没有给他们出征与信士同行的动力。所以，“有话对他们说：‘你们同留守者一起留守吧。’”（第46节）于是他们与老人、妇女和儿童一同留守，这些人本不需要参战。对于胆怯、动摇而缺乏信仰的人来说，这正是他们应当待的地方。
This is due to what He knew of their nature and their hypocrisy, as well as their ill intentions towards the believers, as we will see. Hence, “He caused them to hold back,” and did not give them the motivation to set forth with the believers. So, “it was said to them: ‘Stay behind with those who stay.’’’ (Verse 46) Thus they stayed behind with the elderly, the women and the children who were not required to fight. This is the right place for faint-hearted waverers who lack faith.
然而,这对伊斯兰和穆斯林而言无疑更好:“如果他们与你们一同出征,他们只会给你们增添纷扰,并在你们中间奔走,企图挑拨离间你们。你们中间也有人会去听从他们。真主确实全知不义者。”(第47节)
However, this was certainly better for Islam and the Muslims: “Had they set out with you, they would have added nothing to you but trouble, and would have scurried to and fro in your midst, seeking to sow discord among you. There are among you some who would have lent them ear. Certainly God has full knowledge of the wrongdoers.” (Verse 47)
动摇的心容易滋生怯懦，并使人不愿迎击敌人。
Wavering hearts are likely to spread cowardice and reluctance to meet the enemy.
叛徒对任何军队来说都是真正的威胁。假如那些伪信者随穆斯林军队出征，他们不会增强穆斯林的力量。相反，他们只会带来混乱和麻烦，四处奔走，挑拨离间，劝人撤退。当时，穆斯林中有一些人会听信他们的话，以为他们的建议是出于诚实。然而，真主照看祂的使命，并庇护那些忠诚的信士，使穆斯林免于这一切，让伪信者留在了后方：
Traitors are a real danger to any army. Had those hypocrites set out with the Muslim army, they would not have added to the strength of the Muslims. Indeed they would only have added chaos and trouble, and they would have scurried to and fro, sewing discord and counselling retreat. At that time, there were among the Muslims some who would listen to them, thinking them to be honest in their counsel. However, God who takes care of His message and extends His protection to those who are dedicated believers, spared the Muslims all this by letting the hypocrites stay behind:
“真主确实最知晓不义之人。”（第47节）这里所说的“不义之人”，指的是“拜偶像者”，实际上也就是说，他们同样属于拜偶像者之列。
“Certainly God has full knowledge of the wrongdoers.” (Verse 47) The description, wrongdoers, in this instance means ‘the idolaters,’ which in effect means that they also belong to the idolaters.
他们过去的所作所为证实了他们的恶意和信仰的缺失。他们竭尽全力地反对神的使者。当他们所有的反对和阴谋都宣告失败时，他们宣称接受他的信息，但在内心深处，他们并无信仰："在此之前，他们就曾企图挑起纷争，并对你设下阴谋，直到真理显现，神的旨意得以实现，尽管这令他们厌恶。"（第48节）
Their past confirms their evil intentions and their lack of faith. They had opposed God’s Messenger exerting their utmost in such opposition. When all their opposition and schemes were foiled, they declared their acceptance of his message, but deep at heart they lacked belief: “They had, even before this time, tried to sow discord, and devised plots against you, until the truth was revealed and the will of God prevailed, no matter how hateful it is to them.” (Verse 48)
这发生在先知穆罕默德迁往麦地那之时，也是在真主使他战胜敌人之前。此后真理获胜，真主的话语至高无上。伪信士们不得不向它低头，尽管这令他们厌恶。然而，他们仍然在寻找机会，要给穆斯林制造麻烦。
This was at the time the Prophet Muĥammad (peace be upon him) migrated to Madinah and before God enabled him to achieve victory over his enemies. Then the truth triumphed and God’s word was supreme. The hypocrites had to bow before it, hateful as that was to them. However, they remained on the look out for a chance to cause trouble for the Muslims.