这部分经文触及人心。它以一轮论述开始，指出真主在宇宙中的若干迹象，例如黑夜与白昼、太阳与月亮。一些多神教徒曾与真主并列，向太阳和月亮叩拜，而它们也不过是真主的受造物。他们被告知：如果他们傲慢到不肯崇拜真主，那么还有其他崇拜真主、且比他们更亲近真主的存在。事实上，整个大地都处于崇拜的状态之中，因为它从真主那里获得生命，与他们一样；然而他们却没有利用这一机会去亲近真主。相反，他们否认真主在宇宙中的普遍迹象，并与真主在《古兰经》中的启示争辩，而《古兰经》是以清晰的阿拉伯语表达的，不带任何非阿拉伯语的成分。 接着，这一轮论述将复活日的情景呈现在他们面前，向他们展示其自身的真实状况：软弱、情绪多变、健忘、急于攫取好处，一遇伤害便惊慌失措。尽管如此，他们并不设法保护自己免受真主可能降下的伤害。 本章以真主的应许作结：他将向他们展示宇宙之中和自身之内的迹象，直到他们认识到他是真理，从而消除他们心中残存的一切疑虑。

This new part of the surah addresses human hearts. It starts with a round highlighting some of God s signs in the universe, such as the night and day, sun and moon. Some of the idolaters used to prostrate themselves before the sun and the moon alongside God, when they too are no more than His creatures. They are told that if they are too proud to worship God, there are others who worship Him and are closer to Him than they. Indeed the whole earth stands in a position of worship as it receives its life from God, just as they do but who nevertheless do not use this opportunity to move closer to God. On the contrary, they deny God s universal signs as they dispute His Quranic revelations, when the Qur’an is expressed in clear Arabic, free of any non-Arabic influence. This round then presents before them a scene from the Day of Resurrection and shows them their own reality with all its weakness, changing moods and forgetfulness, eagerness to grab good things, and panicking when it is touched by harm. Nevertheless, they do not try to protect themselves from the harm that God may inflict on them. The surah ends with a promise from God that He will reveal to them His signs in the universe and within themselves until they realize that He is the truth, removing all that remains of doubt in their hearts.

在他的迹象中，有黑夜和白昼，有太阳和月亮。你们不要向太阳或月亮叩拜，而要向创造它们的真主叩拜，如果你们确实是崇拜他的话。（第37节）

Among His signs are the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. Do not prostrate yourselves before the sun or the moon; but prostrate yourselves before God, who has created them, if it is Him you really worship. (Verse 37)

这些迹象显而易见，人人都能看到，它们对人心有着直接的影响，即便我们对它们可能并无科学层面的认识。它们与人的关系，比科学知识更为深刻，因为这种关系建立在一个事实之上：我们与它们拥有共同的起源、本性和构造。它们属于我们，我们也属于它们：我们的构成要素、本性、规律，以及创造我们所有者，都是共同的。因此，我们会对它们产生亲近之感，并能领会它们传达给我们的信息。正因如此，《古兰经》常常引导我们去关注它们，却不深入展开论述。它只是希望我们不要因为长久的熟悉或其他障碍而忽视它们。《古兰经》消除这些障碍，使我们警觉并回应这个亲和之宇宙所给予的讯息。

These signs are there for all to see, and they have a direct effect on the human heart, even though we may not have any scientific information about them. Their relation with man is more profound than scientific knowledge because it is based on the fact that we share with them a common origin, nature and make-up. They belong to us and we belong to them: our constituting elements, nature, law and our Maker who created us all. Therefore, we warm to them and understand the message they impart to us. Therefore, the Qur’an often directs our attention to them, without delving any deeper. It only wants us not to overlook them as a result of either long familiarity with them or other barriers. The Qur’an removes these so as to make us alert to and interact with the messages given by this friendly universe.

该节经文还指出了一种偏离的情形。一些人过分夸大了太阳和月亮的重要性，从而偏离了真理。他们崇拜太阳和月亮，希望借崇拜造物中最美丽的事物而亲近真主。《古兰经》把他们引回正道，消除他们的迷惑，告诉他们：若想崇拜真主，就不可向太阳和月亮俯伏，而应向创造他们的真主俯伏。唯有造物主，才是他们以及一切受造物都应当崇拜的对象。

The verse also points to a particular aspect of deviation. Some people exaggerated the importance of the sun and the moon, and thus deviated from the truth. They worshipped them in the hope of drawing nearer to God through worshipping the most beautiful of His creatures. The Qur’an puts them back on track, removing their confusion and saying to them that if they want to worship God they must not prostrate themselves before the sun and the moon. Instead, they must prostrate themselves before God who created them. It is the Creator alone whom they, and all creatures, should worship.

即使他们坚持傲慢，也毫无影响。另有一些人则以极度谦卑的态度崇拜真主："如果不信道者狂妄自大，那么在你的主那里的（天使）昼夜赞颂祂，从不厌倦。"（第38节）我们首先会想到，"在你的主那里的"这一表述所指的，是天使。

If they persist in their arrogance, it will make no difference. Others offer worship to God in all humility: “If the unbelievers are too arrogant, those who are with your Lord glorify Him night and day and never grow weary of that” (Verse 38) The first creatures we think of as being referred to by the expression, 'those who are with your Lord,' are the angels.

然而，也可能存在其他与真主相近的造物，而关于它们，我们所知甚少。

在这些普遍迹象的背景下，本章谴责并警告那些否认真主的迹象、争辩真主启示的人。

Against this backdrop of universal signs, the surah condemns and warns those who deny God’s signs and dispute His revelations:

{那些歪曲我们启示之意义的人，对我们来说并非隐而不见。难道被投入火中的人更好，还是在复活日安然到来的人更好？你们想做什么就做吧，他洞察你们所做的一切。}（第40节）

Those who distort the meaning of Our revelations are not hidden from Us. Who is in a better state: he who is cast into the fire, or he who shall come safe on Resurrection Day? Do what you will; He sees all that you do. (Verse 40)

警告的开头含蓄却令人畏惧,指出这些人“不会瞒过我们”。真主完全知晓他们的所作所为。无论他们如何歪曲原意或施展欺骗,都必须为其所犯之事承担后果。他们或许以为,正如他们的欺骗使他们在人间的权威面前免受追究一样,他们也能逃脱真主的惩罚。然而,警告随后明确地说道:“{谁更好呢?是被投入火狱的人,还是在复活日安然到来的人?}”(第40节)这向他们展示了前方等待着他们的结局。被投入火中的将是他们,与此相对,信士们将在复活日获得平安。

The warning begins in an implicit but fearful way, stating that such people “are not hidden from Us.” God is fully aware of them. They will have to account for what they perpetrate, no matter how they try to distort meanings or resort to deception. They may think that they can escape God’s punishment in the same way as their deception spared them accountability before human authority. However, the warning is then stated clearly: “ Who is in a better state: he who is cast into the fire, or he who shall come safe on Resurrection Day?' y^rse 40) This puts before them the prospect that lies ahead. It is they who will be cast in the fire, in contrast with the believers who will be safe on the Day of Resurrection.

经文以另一句含蓄的警告作结："你们想做什么就做什么吧，祂看得见你们所做的一切。"（第40节）那些被赋予自由、可以随心所欲，却歪曲真主启示之意义的人，而真主明明看见他所做的一切，他的结局实在可怕。

The verse concludes with another implicit warning: “Do what you will; He sees all that you do." yerse 40) Terrible indeed is the fate of the one who is given the freedom to do what he wills and who distorts the meaning of God’s revelations when God sees all that he does.

随后，这一章谈到那些明确否认古兰经启示的人，并描述《古兰经》是一部崇高的经典，其中没有任何虚假之处：

The surah then speaks about those who specifically deny the Quranic revelations, describing the Qur’an as a sublime book, admitting no falsehood:

那些拒绝这份教诲[即《古兰经》]的人，当它降临到他们面前时……它确实是一部崇高的经典；无论是公开的还是暗中的，虚妄都绝不能触及它。它是由至睿、至颂的主所降示的。除了早先派遣的使者所被告知的，没有什么是对你所说的。你的主是赦宥的主，但他也施以痛苦的惩罚。假若我们使这启示成为非阿拉伯语的言辞，他们必定会说：它的节文为何不清楚地解明？怎么是非阿拉伯语的经典，而使者却是阿拉伯人？你说：“这对信道的人来说是指引和治疗；至于不信道的人，他们的耳朵里有聋病，对它则是盲目的。”他们仿佛是被从远处呼唤。（第41章 第41—44节）

Those who reject this reminder [i.e. the Qur'an] when it comes to them ...It is indeed a sublime book; no falsehood can ever touch it openly or in a stealthy manner. It is bestowed from on high by One who is wise, worthy of praise. Nothing is being said to you other than what was said to the messengers sent before your time. Your Lord is the Lord of forgiveness, but He also inflicts painful punishment. Had We willed to make this revelation a discourse in a non-Arabic tongue, they would have said: If only its verses were clearly spelled out! Why [a message in] a non-Arabic tongue and an Arab [messenger]?' Say: 'This is guidance and healing for all those who believe; but as for the unbelievers: there is deafness in their ears, and they are blind to it.' They are, as it were, being called to from too far away, yetses 41—44)

由于审判被推迟到末日，本章明确指出，末日何时到来的知识唯有真主独知。真主的知识通过突出其若干方面的方式加以描述，极具感染力。这为后文做了铺垫，接着描绘末日的一幕：不信道者受到询问，并记述了他们的回答。

As judgement is deferred to the Day of Judgement, the surah makes clear that knowledge of its timing belongs to God alone. God’s knowledge is described by highlighting some of its aspects in an inspiring way. This serves as a prelude to a scene from the Day of Judgement when unbelievers are questioned, and their answers are reported:

关于末日的知识唯独属于祂。没有任何果实从其花萼中出来，也没有任何雌性怀孕或分娩，除非出于祂的知识。那一天，祂将呼唤他们说："我的那些所谓的同伴在哪里？"他们将说："我们向祢承认，我们中没有一人能为他们作证。"（第47节）

Knowledge of the Last Hour belongs to Him alone. No fruit comes out of its calyx and no female ever conceives or gives birth, without His knowledge. And so, on the Day when He shall call out to them, 'Where now are those alleged partners of Mine? They will say, 'We confess to You that none of us can vouch for them' (Verse 47)

关于末日何时来临、预示审判日的时刻，无人能够知晓；花萼中的果实是肉眼所不能见的；孕妇腹中所怀的胎儿同样是隐秘的。然而，这一切都在真主的知识之中。我们的思维驰骋远方，试图去想象那些仍在花萼中、仍在子宫中胚胎状态的果实。谁能数清它们的数目，更遑论知道它们究竟是什么。这样，我们便在自己的心智所能及的范围内，勾勒出真主知识的广度。然而，祂的知识远远超出于此，因为它是无限的。

The timing of the Last Hour signalling the Day of Judgement is beyond anyones ken; the fruit in its calyx is something that cannot be seen; and what a pregnant female is bearing is similarly concealed. Yet they are all within Gods knowledge. Our mind looks far and wide, trying to think of the fruits when they are still in calyxes and embryos in their wombs. Who can think of their count, let alone what they actually are. An image is thus drawn of the extent of God’s knowledge, to the extent our mental capacity allows. Yet His knowledge extends far beyond this, as it is without limit.

我们的心便会想象那些迷途者站在真主面前的情景,他们意识到祂的知识涵盖一切,无论隐藏得多么严密。他们面临这样的质问:“在祂召唤他们的那日,[说]:‘我的那些合伙者在哪里?’”在那一日,任何辩解都毫无用处。除了真理,谁也说不出别的话。那时他们会说什么呢:“他们将说:‘我们向你承认,我们中没有人能为他们作证。’”(第47节)他们将宣称,那时他们中没有一人会再宣称真主有任何合伙者。

Our mind then imagines those who have gone astray, as they stand before God, realizing that His knowledge encompasses everything, no matter how well concealed it is. They face the questioning: "On the Day when He shall call out to them, 'Where now are those alleged partners of Mine?’" On that day, no argument is of any use. No one can utter anything but the truth. What will they say then: "They will say, 'We confess to You that none of us can vouch for them'" (Verse 47) They will declare that none of them will then claim any partners to God.

"那些他们过去所祈求的，都将离开他们；他们将知道自己无处可逃。"（第48节）他们将对自己从前的主张一无所知。他们将明白，自己的命运无法逃脱。他们将忘记过去，只思念眼前的处境。

" Whatever they used to invoke before will have forsaken them; and they will know that there is no escape for them." (Verse 48) They will know nothing of their previous claims. They will realize that there is no escape from their fate. They will forget their past and think only of their present situation.

他们被留给思考与省察。此章现在转向广阔的宇宙，揭示其中所置的一些迹象，以及他们自身之内的一些迹象：

They are left to think and consider. The surah now turns to the open universe, revealing some of the signs placed in it, as well as some of what is within their own selves:

我们将在广阔的地平线上和他们自身之中向他们展示我们的迹象，以便他们明白这确实是真理。难道你的主对万物作证还不够吗？他们确实怀疑自己是否会见到他们的主。诚然，他要周知万物。（第53-54节）

We shall show them Our signs in the wide horizons [of the universe] and within themselves, so that it will become clear to them that this [revelation] is indeed the truth. Is it not enough that your Lord is witness to everything? They are certainly in doubt as to whether they will meet their Lord. Most certainly, He encompasses everything, (yerses 53-54)

这是本章的最后一段经文注释，意义深远。这是真主对人类的一项承诺：祂将向他们展示宇宙中的一些奥秘，以及人自身之内运行的一些奥秘。这些便是祂的迹象。如此，人们便能认识到，这信仰、这经典及其内容，都是真理。的确如此，因为这一切都来自真主，而谁的话能比真主的话更真实呢？真主的应许必定实现。在此承诺之后的十四个世纪里，真主已向我们展示了宇宙间和人身上的许多迹象，而祂每天都在向我们展示更多。

This is the final note in the surah, and it is a profound one. It is a promise by God to mankind to put before them some of the secrets in the universe and some of the secrets working within themselves. These are His signs. They will thus be able to realize that this faith, this book and its discourse are the truth. Indeed it is, for it is all from God, and whose word is truer than Gods? And God’s promise has certainly come true. Over the fourteen centuries that followed this promise He has made many of His signs in the universe and within man known to us, and He continues to show us more of these every day.

当我们环顾四周，便会看到人类自那时以来已经发现了许多东西。广阔的视野在我们面前展开，人类自身许多未知的方面也得以揭示。如果人们能够反思自己是如何获得这些知识的，并为此心怀感恩，他们便会从中获得巨大的益处。如今他们知道，人们过去想象为宇宙中心的地球，不过是太阳的一颗小卫星，而太阳也仅仅是宇宙中数以百万计乃至更多的小小天体之一。如果他们现代的信息是真实的，他们也就了解了地球和太阳的本质，以及宇宙的本质。

When we look around us we see that man has discovered much since then. Wide horizons have opened before us, as well as much of what was unknown about man. If people would only reflect on how they came to know these and show gratitude for this, they would have ensured great benefit. They now know that the earth, which people used to imagine as the centre of the universe, is no more than a small satellite of the sun, and that the sun is merely a small circle of which the universe contains millions and millions. They also know the nature of their earth and sun, as well as the nature of the universe, if their modern information is true.

人们现在已经对宇宙由何构成知之甚多，前提是宇宙确实由物质构成。他们知道，原子是构成宇宙的基本单位，而且原子可以转化为辐射。因此他们知道，整个宇宙是由多种不同形式的辐射构成的，这些辐射形成了各种各样的形状和大小。我们对自己所在的星球也已了解很多，知道它呈圆形，像一个圆或接近圆的形状，它绕着自己的轴自转，并沿轨道绕太阳运行。

People now know much about the matter of which the universe is made, if it is true that it is made of matter. They know that the atom is the basic unit of which the universe is made, and that the atom can be transformed into radiation. They thus know that the whole universe is made of radiation that takes many different forms, making a great variety of shapes and sizes. We have also come to know much about our planet, learning that it is round in shape, like a circle or close to a circle, and that it rotates on its axis and moves in orbit around the sun.

7. 作者写下这些文字已近五十年，他的预言已经应验。心理健康研究取得了巨大进展，但该领域的科学家向我们保证，我们仍处于起步阶段，必将出现更加惊人的发现。——编者按。

7. The author wrote this nearly 50 years ago, and his prediction has come true. Research in mental health has made great advancements, but scientists in this field assure us that we are still at the beginning and there are bound to be more spectacular discoveries. - Editors note.

8. 作者在此显得过于乐观，但正是这种对真主应许必将实现的乐观与信任，使信奉神圣信仰的倡导者们即便面对重重障碍，仍然坚持前行。——编者注。

8. The author here was over optimistic, but it is such optimism and trust in the fulfilment of God’s promise that continues to motivate advocates of the Divine faith despite the great obstacles in their way. - Editor’s note.