本章是麦加时期的启示,论述信仰的主要主题:信仰真主的独一、《古兰经》的启示以及复活的真实性。本章还阐明了与这些主题相关的若干重要价值观的正确看法。它明确指出,真主的最终审判所依据的是信仰与善行,而非财富与子嗣。它清楚地说明,没有任何力量能够保护任何人免受真主的惩罚,除非真主允许,否则任何说情都无济于事。

This sūrah, a Makkan revelation, tackles the main themes of faith: belief in God’s oneness, the revelation of the Qur’ān and the truth of resurrection. The sūrah also provides the correct view of a number of essential values related to these themes. It makes clear that faith and good action, rather than wealth and offspring, form the basis of the ultimate judgement by God. It clearly states that no power can protect anyone against God’s punishment and no intercession is of any use unless He approves it.

本章的主要重点在于复活与报应问题，以及真主无限、全面而精确的知识。这两个紧密相连的主题，在整个章节中一再被提出，以各种不同的风格和方式出现，并贯穿全章始终。因此，关于复活，我们有：

The main emphasis in the sūrah is on the question of resurrection and reward, as well as God’s limitless, comprehensive and accurate knowledge. These two closely intertwined topics are raised time after time, in a variety of styles and approaches, and are diffused through the sūrah from start to finish. Thus on resurrection we have:

“不信道者说：‘审判日绝不会降临我们！’你说：‘不然，我指我的主发誓，它必定降临你们。’”（第3节）而本章在论及报酬时，早早地说道：“以便他报酬那些信道并行善的人。这些人将获得赦宥和丰厚的给养。”（第4节）

“The unbelievers say: ‘Never shall the Last Hour come upon us!’ Say: ‘Yes, by my Lord, it shall most certainly come to you.’’’ (Verse 3) And on reward the sūrah makes this early statement: “He may reward those who believe and do righteous deeds. It is they who shall have forgiveness and generous provisions.” (Verse 4)

这一主题在稍后又再次被提及:"不信道者说:'要不要我们指给你们一个人,他会告诉你们,当你们被彻底撕成碎片之后,你们将以全新的创造被重新复活?他是否捏造了关于真主的谎言,还是他是个疯子?'不然!那些不信后世的人将遭受刑罚,因为他们已深陷迷误之中。"(第7-8节)

This same theme is raised again a little later on: “The unbelievers say: Shall we point out to you a man who will tell you that, when you have been utterly torn into pieces, you shall he restored to life in a new act of creation? Has he invented a lie about God, or is he a madman?’ No! It is those who do not believe in the life to come who shall be suffering torment as they have gone far in error” (Verses 7-8)

本章还描绘了审判日的若干场景，展示不信者如何因拒绝真理而受到斥责，以及他们曾经否认或深表怀疑的刑罚的情景：“假如你能看到那些不义者被带到他们的主面前站立，彼此互相指责的情景！那些在世上被看作弱者的人，会对那些自认为强大的人说：‘要不是因为你们，我们必定已经成为信士了。’那些自认为强大的人会对弱者说：‘是我们阻止你们在正道已经降临你们之后遵循正道吗？不，是你们自己犯了罪。’弱者会回答那些自认为强大的人：‘不，是你们日夜的诡计，命令我们不信真主，并让我们给他配上同等的主宰。’当他们看到等待他们的刑罚时，他们都会深感悔恨，无以复加。”

The sūrah also portrays a number of scenes from the Day of Judgement, showing how unbelievers are rebuked for their rejection of the truth as well as images of the punishment they used to deny or express strong doubts about: “If only you could see how the wrongdoers shall be made to stand before their Lord, hurling reproaches at one another. Those of them who were weak on earth will say to those who had deemed themselves mighty: ‘Had it not been for you, we would certainly have been believers.’ The ones who deemed themselves mighty will say to those who were weak: ‘Was it we who prevented you from following right guidance after it had been given you? No. It was you who were guilty’ Those who were weak will reply to those who deemed themselves mighty: No. It was your scheming, night and day, ordering us to disbelieve in God and to set up equals to Him.’ When they see the punishment awaiting them, they will all harbour utter and unmitigated remorse.

我们必将在不信道者的脖子上套上枷锁。他们难道不是因其所作所为而受报应吗？（34:33）

We shall put chains round the necks of the unbelievers. Are they to be requited for anything other than what they did?” (Verses 3 1-33)

类似的场景在本章各处都有描述，包括其结尾：“假若你能看见他们惊恐万状、无处逃遁的情景；他们将从近处被捉拿。他们将说：‘我们确已信仰了它。’但他们怎能从如此远的地方获得信仰呢？他们先前明明否认了它，并从远处对那些隐而不见之事肆意嘲讽。他们与其同类先前所遭遇的一样，他们与所渴求的一切之间将设下一道屏障。他们陷入了令人困惑的怀疑之中。”（第51-54节）

Again such scenes are portrayed at various places in the sūrah, including its conclusion: “If you could but see when they are seized by terror, with nowhere to escape; for they will have been seized from a place nearby. They will say: ‘We do believe in it,’ but how could they attain it from so far away, seeing that they had at first denied it all. They used to cast scorn from far away on what is imperceptible. A barrier will be set between them and all that they desire, just as was done with their kind before. They were lost in perplexing doubt.” (Verses 51-54)

关于真主的知识及其范围与完备性的主题，经文一开始便写道："祂知道入地的，和从地里出来的；降自天空的，和升到天空的。"（第2节）在对否认末日者的评论中，该章说："你说：'是的，我以我的主发誓，它必定会降临你们。祂是知幽隐的，天地间没有一物能逃过祂的知晓。'"

On the theme of God’s knowledge and its extent and fullness, we read at the outset: He knows all that goes into the earth and all that comes out of it; all that descends from the skies and all that ascends to them.” (Verse 2) And in a comment on those who deny the Day of Judgement, the sūrah says: “Say: ‘Yes, by my Lord, it shall most certainly come to you. It is He who knows all that lies beyond the reach of human perception.

“在天上和地上，没有一个原子的重量能逃过祂；比它更小或更大的，也都记载在明确的天经里。”（第3节）这一点在本章末尾得到进一步的证实，经文说：“你说：我的主以真理投射，祂是全知幽玄的。”（第48节）

Not an atom’s weight in the heavens or the earth escapes Him; nor is there anything smaller or larger but is recorded in a clear book.” (Verse 3) This is further confirmed towards the sūrah’s end where it states: “Say: My Lord hurls forth the truth. He has full knowledge of all that is beyond the reach of people’s perception.” (Verse 48)

关于真主的独一性，这章经以赞颂真主开篇："天上和地下所有的一切都是他的；在后世，一切赞颂也都归于他。他是至睿的，是彻知的。"（第1节）该章又再次就他们所指称的、与真主并列的神灵向他们提出挑战："你说：你们去祈祷那些你们自认为是真主的同伴的神灵吧。他们在天上和地下连一粒尘埃那么大的权力都没有，在它们之中他们也没有任何份额，而他也没有从他们中间得到任何辅助者。"（第22节）

On the theme of God’s oneness, the sūrah begins with praising God “to whom belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth; and to Him will be due all praise in the life to come. He is truly wise, All-Aware.” (Verse 1) The sūrah again challenges them with regard to the deities they allege to be God’s partners: “Say: Call upon those whom you imagine to be partners with God. They do not have even an atom’s weight of authority either in the heavens or the earth, nor have they any share in either, nor does He have any helper from among them.” (Verse 22)

在经文描绘审判日的一幕中,这章经文提到人们崇拜天使和精灵:“在他将他们全部集合的日子,他将对天使说:‘这些人崇拜的是你们吗?’他们将回答:‘赞美你超绝万物!你才是我们的保护者,而不是他们。实际上,他们崇拜的是精灵,而且他们大多数都信奉精灵。’”(第40-41节) 经文也驳斥了他们关于天使为其代求的观念:“在他面前,除非是他所允许的人,否则代求是无效的。当他们心中的恐惧消除后,他们将彼此询问:‘你们的主命令了什么?’他们将回答:‘真理。他是至高无上的,至尊的。’”(第23节) 在涉及他们崇拜精灵的段落中,经文提到了所罗门,以及精灵如何被置于他的役使之下。经文强调,他们无法察觉他已经去世:“当我判定他死亡时,除了一只蛀虫啃食他的手杖,没有任何东西向他们表明他已经死了。当他倒地时,精灵们清楚地看到:如果他们懂得超出其认知范围的真相,他们就不会继续处于屈辱的奴役之中。”(第14节)

In one of the scenes it portrays of the Day of Judgement, the sūrah refers to their worship of angels and jinn: “On the day He gathers them all together, He will say to the angels: ‘Was it you that these people worshipped?’ They will answer: ‘Limitless are You in Your glory! You alone are our patron, not they. In fact they worshipped the jinn and most of them believed in them.” (Verses 40-41) It refutes their ideas about intercession by the angels on their behalf: “Before Him, intercession is of no avail, except by one to whom He may have granted permission. When the terror is lifted from their hearts, they will ask [one another]: ‘What has your Lord ordained?’ They will answer: ‘The truth. He is the Most High, the Supreme.” (Verse 23) In connection with their worship of the jinn mention is made of Solomon and how the jinn were placed in his service. It highlights the fact that they were unable to realize that he was dead: “When We decreed his death, nothing showed them that he was dead except an earthworm that gnawed away at his staff And when he fell to the ground, the jinn saw clearly that, had they understood the reality which was beyond [their] perception, they would not have remained in humiliating servitude.” (Verse 14)

关于神启示其讯息的主题，本章记载：“不信道的人说：我们绝不信这部《古兰经》，也不信在它之前的任何启示。”（第31节）“当我们的明证清楚地向他们诵读时，他们说：‘这不过是一个想要使你们离开你们祖先所崇拜之物的人。’他们又说：‘这只不过是捏造的谎言。’而且，当真理降临他们时，不信道的人会说：‘这明明是巫术。’”（第43节）本章给出了决定性的回答：“那些有知识的人非常清楚，你的主所降示你的，确实是真理，它引导人走向那全能、当受赞颂者的道路。”（第6节）“我only派遣你去向全人类报喜和警告；但大多数人不明白。”（第28节）

On the theme of the revelation of God’s message, the sūrah reports: “The unbelievers say: We will never believe in this Qur’ān, nor in any earlier revelations.” (Verse 31) “When Our revelations are recited to them in all their clarity, they say: ‘This is but a man who wants to turn you away from what your forefathers worshipped.’ They also say: ‘This is nothing but an invented falsehood’ Furthermore, when the truth comes to them, the unbelievers will say: ‘This is just plain sorcery.” (Verse 43) The sūrah issues a decisive reply: “Those who are endowed with knowledge are well aware that what has been revealed to you by your Lord is indeed the truth, and that it guides to the way that leads to the Almighty, the One to whom all praise is due.” (Verse 6) “We have sent you to all mankind so that you bring them good news and give them warning; but most people do not understand” (Verse 28)

关于应当遵循的价值准则，本章提出了以下经文：

On the question of the values to be applied, the sūrah proffers the following verses:

“每当我向任何一个社会派遣警告者时，其中那些生活奢侈的人便说：‘你们所奉派传达的讯息，我们不信。’他们还说：‘我们的财富和子女都比你们多，我们绝不会受到惩罚。’你说：‘我的主赐予丰厚，或限制给予，全凭他的意愿；但大多数人不明白。’使你们亲近我们的，不是你们的财富，也不是你们的子女，只有信道并行善的人才能亲近我们。这等人，因其所行，将得到加倍的报酬；他们将安然居住在乐园的楼阁中。至于那些竭力反对我们的迹象、企图使之失败的人，他们将受到刑罚。”（第34–38节）这章经文举出了一些历史例子：大卫及其家人感念神的恩惠，而示巴人则极其忘恩负义，与此形成对比。这两个民族的遭遇广为人知，印证了神的应许与警告。

“Whenever We sent a warner to any community, those of them who lived in luxury said: ‘We do not believe in the message with which you have been sent.’ They also say: ‘Richer than you are we in wealth, and we have more children. We certainly are not going to be made to suffer.’ Say: My Lord gives in abundance, or gives in scant measure, to whomever He wills; but most people do not understand’ It is neither your riches nor your children that can bring you nearer to Us: only he who believes and does what is right [comes near to Us]. To these multiple reward will be given for all that they have done. They will dwell in safety in the mansions of paradise; whereas all who strive against Our revelations, seeking to defeat their purpose, shall be given over to suffering.” (Verses 34-38) The sūrah gives some historical examples, citing David and his household who demonstrated their gratitude for God’s favours and contrasting this with the people of Sheba who were totally ungrateful. What happened to both communities was well known, confirming God’s promises and warnings.

所有麦加章都涉及这些主题，但每一章都是在一个特殊的宇宙背景下展开的。的确，这一主题伴随着各种不同的影响，每次读来都让我们感到全新。本章的背景是天地广阔的空间，是超出我们感知范围的浩瀚无际的境界，是复活日人们聚集的无边旷野，是人类灵魂的深处，以及一系列令人惊叹的历史场景。每一个背景都对我们的心灵有着清晰的启示，使我们时刻保持警醒。本章一开始，我们便被引入这广阔的宇宙空间，以及真主无限的知识：“他知道进入大地的，和从大地出来的；知道从天降下的，和升到天上的……不信道者说：‘复活的时刻不会降临我们！’你说：‘不然，凭我主发誓，它必定降临你们。’他是知晓幽玄的主，天地中即使有一粒微尘之重的事物也逃不过他；比那更小或更大的，都记录在明白的天经之中。”（第2-3节）

All Makkan sūrahs tackle these topics, but in each sūrah they are portrayed against a special cosmic background. Indeed, this theme is accompanied by diverse influences that we feel to be new each time. The background in the present sūrah is the wide space of the heaven and earth, the awesome, unfathomable realm that lies beyond the reach of our perception, the limitless plateau where the gathering takes place on the Day of Judgement, the inner depths of the human soul, and a number of amazing historical scenes. Each has its clear message for our hearts, ensuring we remain alert. At the very beginning of the sūrah we are introduced to this broad universal expanse and God’s limitless knowledge: “He knows all that goes into the earth and all that comes out of it; all that descends from the skies and all that ascends to them... The unbelievers say: Never shall the Last Hour come upon us!’ Say: ‘Yes, by my Lord, it shall most certainly come to you. It is He who knows all that lies beyond the reach of human perception. Not an atom’s weight in the heavens or the earth escapes Him; nor is there anything smaller or larger but is recorded in a clear book.” (Verses 2-3)

那些否认复活与后世的人，被警告将遭遇巨大的天体灾变："难道他们没有看到，天地之间展现在他们面前的有多少，隐藏于他们的又有多少吗？若我意欲，就能使大地吞没他们，或使天的碎片坠落在他们身上。在这一切之中，对于每一位归向主、悔罪归顺的仆人，都有一个迹象。"（第9节）另一方面，那些崇拜天使或精灵的人，将面对一幅令人敬畏的景象："在祂面前，除非是祂所许可的人，否则说情毫无用处。当他们心中的恐惧被消除之后，他们会彼此问道：'你们的主降下了什么命令？'他们回答：'是真理。祂是至高无上的、伟大的。'"（第23节）此外，在复活日，他们会与天使面对面，届时不允许任何辩解或含糊："在祂将他们全部聚集的那一日，祂将对天使说："

Those who deny resurrection and the hereafter are warned against great celestial catastrophes: “Do they not consider how much of the sky and the earth lies open before them and how much lies hidden from them? If We so willed, We could cause the earth to swallow them, or cause fragments of the sky to fall upon them. In all this, there is a sign for every servant of God turning to Him in repentance.” (Verse 9) On the other hand, those who worship angels or jinn are faced with an awesome scene: “Before Him, intercession is of no avail, except by one to whom He may have granted permission. When the terror is lifted from their hearts, they will ask [one another]: ‘What has your Lord ordained?’ They will answer: ‘The truth. He is the Most High, the Supreme.’“ (Verse 23) Alternatively, they are placed face to face with the angel on the Day of Resurrection when no argument or ambiguity is allowed: “On the day He gathers them all together, He will say to the angels:

“你们所崇拜的，就是他们吗？”（第40节）

Was it you that these people worshipped?” (Verse 40)

那些否认先知穆罕默德、指责他捏造谎言或声称他疯癫的人，当他们的本性不受外来影响时，便会被置于自身本性面前："你说：我劝你们一件事：你们为了真主，或两两，或独自，站立起来，然后思考："

Those who denied the Prophet Muĥammad, accusing him of fabricating lies or alleging that he was mad are put before their own nature when it is free of alien influences: “Say: I counsel you one thing: stand before God, in pairs or singly, and think:

“你们的同伴[穆罕默德]并没有疯癫。他只是向你们警告即将来临的严厉刑罚。”（第46节）

there is no madness in your Companion [Muĥammad]. He is only a warner to you of awesome suffering to come.” (Verse 46)

因此，这一章将我们的心灵引向如此广阔的境界，并唤起一些振奋人心的影响。最后，它以一幅有力的审判日场景作结。

Thus the sūrah takes our hearts to such horizons and brings into play some inspiring influences. Finally, it concludes with a powerful scene of the Day of Judgement.

赞美真主构成了本章的开端,其中述说了祂的一些属性:祂拥有天地的主权,在后世受到赞颂,祂具有智慧,并且全然知晓宇宙中发生的一切。经文也提到不信者否认末日,而真主明确回应说末日必定来临。经文再次指出,整个宇宙中即使是一个原子的重量也逃不过真主的知识,这保证了真主对所有人、无论信者还是不信者的报应,都将基于对一切情况和境况的准确而全面的知识。在这一开始的部分,经文指出,那些被赋予智慧的人确认,真主启示给祂的使者的正是真理。经文还说,不信者觉得复活之事不可思议,经文驳斥了他们的论点,并告诉他们,他们因远离正道而陷入迷误,因而受到了苦难。经文警告他们,他们可能会被大地吞没,或者天空可能会崩塌在他们头上。至此,本章的第一部分结束。

Praise of God forms the beginning of the sūrah, identifying some of His attributes, such as having dominion in the heavens and earth, receiving praise in the hereafter, wisdom and full knowledge of all that takes place in the universe. It also mentions the unbelievers’ denial of the Last Hour and God’s emphatic reply that it will certainly come. Again the sūrah states that not an atom’s weight in the whole universe escapes God’s knowledge, which will ensure that God’s requital o all, believers and unbelievers, will be based on accurate and full knowledge of all situations and circumstances. In this early part, the sūrah states that those who are endowed with wisdom confirm that what God has revealed to His Messenger is the truth. It states that the unbelievers find the idea of resurrection strange, refuting their arguments and telling them that they suffer as a result of being far in error. It warns them that they could be swallowed up by the earth or that the skies could fall apart on them. On this note, the first part of the sūrah ends.

第二部分重点介绍了大卫及其家族的一些历史。他们都非常感激真主的恩典。真主使大卫和所罗门掌握了众多权能，而他们感念真主的恩惠，并未因此而自负。其中一种权能是精灵，而一些多神崇拜者却崇拜这些精灵。他们常常就超出我们感知范围的事情向这些精灵请教，但精灵对这一领域一无所知。

The second part highlights some aspects of the history of David and his household, who were all very grateful for God’s favours. God placed at the command of David and Solomon numerous powers, and they acknowledged God’s favours, taking no personal pride in them. One of these powers was the Jinn who are worshipped by some idolaters. They often consulted such Jinn over questions relating to the realm beyond our perception, but the Jinn know nothing of this realm.

在这一章所叙述的所罗门的故事中，即便在他去世之后，精灵们仍继续为他做一些艰苦和卑微的工作，而他们对此却一直毫不知情。

In Solomon’s story, as related in this sūrah, the Jinn continued to do some hard and menial jobs for him even after his death, of which they continued to be unaware.

与感恩真主恩惠的态度形成对照的，是以赛伯邑人为代表的彻底忘恩负义。因此，“我使他们成为传说，并把他们分散到各地。”（第19节）他们应得这样的结局，因为他们听从了撒旦的指使，尽管撒旦对他们并无任何权力。换句话说，是他们自愿让撒旦把他们引入歧途。

Contrasted with this gratitude for God’s favours, is that of total ingratitude as represented by the people of Sheba. Therefore, “We caused them to become a tale, and scattered them throughout the land.” (Verse 19) They deserved this end because they did Satan’s bidding, even though he had no power over them. In other words, they willingly allowed him to lead them astray.

这一部分向多神崇拜者提出挑战,要他们呼求他们所宣称的神明。经文告诉他们,这些虚假的神明“无论在天上或地下,都没有一丝一毫的权力,也没有任何参与;他也没有从它们中找到帮助者”(第22节)。任何一位虚假的神明都不能为任何人向真主说情,即便它们是天使也不能,因为天使敬畏真主,遵从他的命令,在未得到允许之前不敢开口。正如所吩咐的那样,先知询问他们:谁从天上和大地中给你们供给?而天地的主权属于真主。供给他们和其他一切受造物的,唯有真主,别无他者。随后,先知将自己与他们之间的事情交由真主裁决。这一段经文以与开篇相呼应的挑战作结:“你说:你们把那些你们宣称与他并列的神明拿来给我看看吧!不然!他确是真主,是万能的,是至睿的。”(第27节)

The third part challenges the idolaters to invoke their alleged deities, and tells them that these “do not have even an atom’s weight of authority either in the heavens or the earth, nor have they any share in either, nor does He have any helper from among them.” (Verse 22) None of these false deities can intercede with God on anyone’s behalf, not even if they were angels, for angels stand in awe of God, do His bidding and do not talk until they are reassured. As instructed, the Prophet asks them who provides their sustenance out of the heavens and the earth, when it is God who has dominion over both? He, and no one else, provides for them and for all other creatures. The Prophet then leaves the matter between himself and them to God for judgement. This part of the sūrah ends with a similar challenge to that with which it began: “Say: Show me those whom you allege to be partners with Him. Nay! He alone is God, the Almighty, the Wise.’“ (Verse 27)

第四和第五部分探讨了真主启示之信息以及不信者对此的态度问题。它们谈到富足者如何看待每一个信仰的呼唤，以及他们如何以财富和子女自傲。这两部分确立了一个事实：信仰与善行是获得报酬的基本准则。这里展现了信士与不信者不同命运的多个场景，其中可以看到领袖们与追随者划清界限，天使也与那些曾经崇拜他们的人撇清关系。在这些场景之间，本章呼吁不信者回归自己的天性，抛开他们围绕真主的使者所制造的种种喧嚣，去寻求其中的答案。它提醒他们，他们对使者的指控毫无证据，而使者不向他们索取任何报酬，也从不对他们说谎。这两部分各以一个关于复活日的场景作结。最后，本章以一组短小的经文收尾，这些经文具有强劲、急促的节奏："你说：我的主以真理猛击（谬误）。"

Together the fourth and fifth parts tackle the question of the revelation of God’s message and the unbelievers’ attitude towards it. They speak about how the affluent view every call to faith, and how they show pride in their wealth and children. These two parts establish the fact that faith and good actions are the basic criteria for reward. Several scenes are shown here of the different fates of the believers and unbelievers, in which we see the leaders disowning their followers and the angels disassociating themselves from those who worshipped them. In between these scenes, the sūrah calls on the unbelievers to resort to their own nature, seeking its answers free from all the fuss they create about God’s Messenger. It reminds them that they have no evidence for the accusations they level at him, when he asks them for no reward and tells them no lie. Each of these two parts is concluded with a scene from the Day of Resurrection. Then, finally, the sūrah ends with a run of short verses that are characterized by a powerful, fast rhythm: “Say: My Lord hurls forth the truth.

他知晓一切隐秘之事，人的感知无法企及的一切，他都明了。 你说：“真理已经降临，虚妄既不能创造什么，也不能使什么复活。” 你说：“如果我迷失了方向，那我只会因自身的迷失而受损；但如果我遵循正道，那是因为我的主向我启示的缘故。他是全聆的，且近在咫尺。” 假如你能看到他们陷入惊恐、无处逃遁的情景——他们必将从近处被捉住。”（第48-51节）

He has full knowledge of all that is beyond the reach of people’s perception.’ Say: ‘The truth has now come. Falsehood neither creates anything new, nor restores anything.’ Say: ‘Were I to go astray, I would but go astray to the loss of myself But if I am on the right path, it is through what my Lord reveals to me. He is All-Hearing, ever-near’ If you could but see when they are seized by terror, with nowhere to escape; for they will have been seized from a place nearby.” (Verses 48-51)