这一章以关于《古兰经》的论述开始,明确指出将其启示给先知穆罕默德(愿主赐福于他)的目的,并非使他因此而受苦。《古兰经》的一部分讲述了穆萨(摩西)的故事,以及真主如何眷顾穆萨、他的兄弟哈伦和他们的民众。故事讲完之后,本章又回到关于《古兰经》的论述,谈论它应当发挥的作用,以及那些背弃它的人必将遭受的结局。这一结局通过末日审判的场景呈现出来:在那里,今世的日子显得微不足道,大地失去了山峦,变得平坦而光秃;在至仁的真主面前,一切声音都归于寂静;在永生的真主面前,一切面孔都卑微低垂。这一场景以及《古兰经》中的警告,旨在唤起人们的敬畏之心,提醒人们与真主的关系。本段最后再次安慰先知,关于正在降示给他的《古兰经》,他不必急于在接受启示的过程中重复其中的经文,唯恐遗忘其中的某些部分。他无需有此顾虑,因为真主已经承担了保存《古兰经》的责任,并使其便于诵读和学习。在此语境下,先知被指示向真主祈求,请真主增加他的知识。

The sūrah started with a discussion on the Qur’ān, making it clear that the purpose of its revelation to the Prophet Muĥammad (peace be upon him) was not that he might be afflicted by it. Part of the Qur’ān covers the story of Moses and how it reflects the care God took of Moses, his brother Aaron and their people. Now that the story has been told, the sūrah resumes speaking about the Qur’ān, the role it is intended to play and the fate which is bound to be suffered by those who turn their backs to it. This fate is shown in a scene of the Day of Judgement in which the days of this present life are seen to be infinitesimal, the earth loses its mountains and is seen flat and bare; sounds are hushed before God the Most Merciful; and faces are humbled before God, the Ever-Living. This scene, and the warnings made in the Qur’ān, are intended to arouse feelings of God- consciousness, reminding people of their relationship with God. This passage concludes by giving the Prophet renewed comfort with respect to the Qur’ān which was being revealed to him. He must not hasten to repeat its words during the process of receiving it as he used to do fearing that he might forget some parts of it. He need not entertain any such fear, because God has taken it upon Himself to preserve the Qur’ān and make it easy for recitation and study. In this context, the Prophet is instructed to pray to God to give him more knowledge.

由于先知热切地反复诵读所降示的古兰经启示,唯恐遗忘,这章经文提到了阿丹如何忘记了真主的盟约。随后是他与撒旦之间相互敌对的宣告,说明了记得与真主盟约的人和遗忘盟约的人各自不同的归宿。这两种不同的归宿在古兰经描绘的复活日的一幕场景中得到展现,仿佛复活日是那始于天堂、并旨在回归天堂之旅的终点。

Since the Prophet was keen to repeat the Qur’ānic revelations as they were given to him, for fear of forgetting them, the sūrah mentions how Adam forgot God’s covenant. This is followed by the declaration of hostility between him and Satan, stating the different ends of the people who remember their covenant with God and those who forget it. These two different ends are shown in one of the scenes of the Day of Resurrection the Qur’ān portrays, as though the Day gives the end of the journey which started in heaven and aims to return there.

本章结尾的几处细微之处，旨在安慰先知，使他不因那些否认其使命的人、或背弃其使命的人而感到苦恼。他们自有预定的期限。他也不应看重他们所拥有的世俗财富，因为这一切都是考验，而他们必须通过这场考验。

The sūrah concludes with fine touches aiming to comfort the Prophet so that he is not afflicted by those who deny the truth of his message or those who turn away from it. They have their appointed term. He should not attach any importance to the worldly riches they may have been given, because this is all a test which they have to pass.

这样,我们将过去的一些事迹讲给你听;我们从自己这里赐给你一份教诲。凡背弃它的人,在复活日必将背负沉重的罪负。他们将永远背负着它;复活日那天,他们所背负的将是多么沉重啊!在吹响号角的那一天,我们要把所有的罪人聚集起来,他们的眼睛因惊恐而昏花。他们彼此低声私语:“你们在世上只待了十天。”我们最知道他们将要说什么:当他们中最有见识的人说:“你们在那里只待了一天!”

Thus do We relate to you some of the history of past events; and thus have We given you, out of Our grace, a reminder. All who shall turn away from it will certainly bear a heavy burden on the Day of Resurrection. For ever shall they bear it; and grievous for them will be its weight on the Day of Resurrection, the day when the Trumpet is blown. For on that day We shall assemble all the guilty ones, their eyes dimmed [by terror], whispering to one another, ‘You have spent but ten days on earth.’ We know best what they will be saying when the most perceptive of them shall say: ‘You have spent there but one day!’ (Verses 99-104)

正如摩西的故事载于《古兰经》中，我们也叙述其他过往的事件。这里将《古兰经》描述为“一种教诫”，因为它提醒我们真主，提醒我们他的迹象和启示，以及赐予古代民众的其他迹象。

Just as Moses’ history is related in the Qur’ān, so do We also relate other past events. The Qur’ān is described here as ‘a reminder’, because it reminds us of God, His signs and messages, as well as other signs given to people of old.

那些背离此番教诲的人，在这里被描述为有罪之人，经文还展现了他们在审判日的情景。我们看到他们背负着重担，就像旅人背着行囊一样，而他们所背负的，却是污秽而沉重的负担。

Those who turn away from this reminder are described here as guilty, and they are shown in a scene from the Day of Judgement. We see them carrying their burdens like a traveller carries his luggage, but theirs are foul, troublesome burdens.

当号角吹响、召集一切受造物时，罪人们面色发蓝，走上前来，满脸悲伤与忧虑。他们惊恐万分，彼此低声交谈：

When the trumpet is blown to gather all creatures, the guilty come forward with blue faces showing their grief and worry. Terrified, they speak to one another in whispers:

他们不敢高声说话。这一切描绘的是，当所有死者被复活的那一刻，恐惧笼罩着他们。但他们低声私语的内容是什么呢？

they cannot raise their voices. All this describes the fear that overwhelms them at that moment when all the dead are raised. But what is the subject of their whispers?

他们只是在猜测自己在地上生活的时长，因为在他们看来，这段生命已经短暂到让他们以为只过了几天。他们中有人说："你们在地上只住了十天。"（第103节）然而，判断更为明智、看法更为准确的人，则觉得在地上的时间比这还要短得多。他们对其他人说："你们在那里只住了一天。"（第104节）

They simply try to guess the duration of their life on earth, for that life has become so short in their view that they imagine it to have lasted only a few days. Some of them say: “You have spent but ten days on earth.” (Verse 103) However, those with a better judgement and a more accurate view feel life on earth to have been much shorter than that. They tell the others: “You have spent there but one day.” (Verse 104)

在他们尘世的生活中，他们曾问过关于大山以及大山将会如何的问题，而回到这一问题，更增添了这一壮观场景的魅力。这一回答生动地描绘了他们此刻所处的恐惧状态：

This awesome scene is further enhanced by returning to a question they had asked during their life on earth about the mountains and what would happen to them. The answer vividly describes the state of fear in which they find themselves:

他们会问你关于山的事。你说：“我的主会将它们扬散成粉尘，把大地变成平坦光秃的一片，你看不到其中有弯曲或隆起。那一天，众人都将追随那召唤之声，无法逃避。在至慈主面前，一切声音都将沉寂，你所听到的只有微弱的细语声。那一天，除了那些获得至慈主允许、其言辞为祂所悦纳的人，任何说情都不会有益。祂知道他们面前和身后的一切，而他们对祂却无法全然了知。一切面孔都将在永生、自存的主面前俯首；负载不义的人必将失败；但凡行善并且是信士的人，将不必担心受到不公或亏损。”（第105-112节）

They ask you about the mountains. Say: ‘My Lord will scatter them far and wide, and leave the earth level and bare, with no curves or ruggedness to be seen. On that day, all will follow the summoning voice from which there will be no escape. All sounds will be hushed before the Most Merciful, and you will hear nothing but a faint sough in the air. On that day, intercession will be of no avail to any except a person in whose case the Most Merciful will have granted permission, and whose word He will have accepted. He knows all that lies open before them and all that is hidden from them, whereas they cannot have thorough knowledge of Him. All faces shall be humbled before the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsisting Lord; and undone shall be he who is burdened with evildoing; but anyone who will have done righteous deeds, being a believer, need have no fear of being wronged or deprived.’ (Verses 105-112)

这些景象清晰地呈现在我们眼前:我们看到那些原本被认为根基牢固、稳如磐石的巨大山脉,被吹散、被扬尘。它们不再高耸,而是变得平坦,水平如一,没有任何弯曲或崎岖的表面。整个大地平坦如一,既无丘陵,也无山谷。

These images come clearly to our eyes, and we see the great mountains, which we have known to be firmly rooted and stable, being blown and scattered. They are raised no more; indeed they are flat, level with no curves or any rugged surface. The whole earth is flat, level, having neither hills nor valleys.

然而,在群山被吹散之后,风暴平息下来,聚集的众人专心倾听。每一个动作、每一丝细微的声响都归于寂静。他们都听着那召唤他们集合的声音,顺从地遵从它的命令,立即行动,不左顾右盼。这与他们在今世被召唤去遵循神圣指引时的反应截然不同,那时他们却转身离去、拒不接受。我们注意到其中表达的完美和谐:对召唤之声的回应是全然的,无处可逃;而那些古老的山岳如今已化为平坦、无起伏的大地的一部分。

But after the blowing away of the mountains, the storm dies down and the gathered multitudes listen attentively. Every movement and every little sound is hushed. They all listen to the voice that calls them to group together, and they follow its commands submissively, acting promptly, turning neither here nor there. This is a totally different reaction from the one they showed in this life when they were called on to follow divine guidance, but they turned away and refused. We note the perfect harmony of expression when the response to the summoning voice is total, with no escape, while the old mountains are now part of the flat, level earth that has no curve or elevation.

该章简要叙述了亚当的故事：他忘记了自己对真主许下的约定。当他受到永生的诱惑时，他屈服了，听从了撒旦及其怂恿。这是真主在让他执掌大地之前要他经历的一次考验，同时也为撒旦的所作所为提供了一个例证，使亚当的后裔能够从中吸取教训。考验结束后，真主赐予亚当仁慈，把他的使命委派给他，并赐予他正道的引导。

The sūrah gives a brief account of Adam’s story, when he forgot the commitment he made to God. When he was tempted by the prospect of immortality, he yielded, listening to Satan and his promptings. This was a test which God wanted him to go through before he was placed in charge of the earth. It also provided an example of what Satan can do, so that Adam’s offspring would learn the lesson. When the test was completed, God bestowed His mercy on Adam, assigning his role to him, and providing him with guidance.

每一个《古兰经》中的故事，都是按照其所处的语境来安排的。在本章中，亚当的故事紧接在关于先知急切地重复默示经文、唯恐遗忘的经文之后。因此，经文一开始便提到亚当对其所立之约的遗忘。此外，本章揭示了真主对祂所拣选、置于祂庇护之下的众仆人所施的诸多恩典。因此，在这个故事中，经文阐明了真主拣选了亚当，接受了他的悔罪，并赐予他引导。

Every story related in the Qur’ān is made to fit with the context in which it is given. In this sūrah, Adam’s story follows soon after the reference to the Prophet’s hasty repetition of Qur’ānic revelations, for fear of forgetting them. Hence, Adam’s forgetting of his commitment is referred to at the outset. Moreover, the story is given in a sūrah which reveals many aspects of God’s grace bestowed on those chosen servants whom He places under His care. Therefore, in this story the point is made that God chose Adam, accepted his repentance and provided him with guidance.

这之后是一幅复活日的场景，描绘了真主顺从的仆人与坚持违抗者的两种截然不同的结局。这一场景如同从大地返回原初居所的旅程，每个人都在那里获得应得的报酬。现在，让我们来看看本章中所叙述的这个故事。

This is followed by a scene of the Day of Resurrection portraying the two different ends of God’s obedient servants on the one hand and, on the other, those who persist in disobedience. This is shown like a journey back from earth to the first abode where everyone is given their rightful reward. Let us now look at the story as it is related in this sūrah.

“很久以前，我曾与阿丹立约，但他忘记了，我发现他缺乏坚定的决心。”（第115节）真主与阿丹所立的约定是：他可以吃乐园中所有的果实，唯独不可吃那棵树的果子。这一禁令的用意，在于增强意志、确立人的自我，并使人从欲望的强大压迫中解放出来。这一切都是为了赋予人类灵魂一种自由，使其能够舍弃所谓的需求，不为欲望所奴役。这正是人类卓越的真正尺度。每当人的意志在欲望的压迫下变得软弱，他便会越发沉沦，接近禽兽的层次。

“Long ago, We made a covenant with Adam; but he forgot it, and We found him lacking in firmness of purpose.” (Verse 115) God’s covenant with Adam was that he could eat of all the fruits in the Garden except for one tree that represented the prohibition necessary to strengthen willpower, assert one’s personality and liberate oneself of the oppressive pressure of desire. All this is necessary to give the human soul the freedom to do without its supposed needs, so that it is not enslaved by desire. This is indeed the true measure of human excellence. Whenever man’s will weakens under the pressure of desire, he sinks closer to the level of animals.

然后，二者都接到了命令，降到大地上——大地将成为这场旷日持久的战争的战场："你们俩都下去，你们彼此为敌。"（第123节）于是，敌对关系在全世界范围内被宣告。这意味着，亚当及其后裔没有任何借口。

The order was then given to the two combatants to descend to earth, which would be the battleground in this long-lasting war: “Get down, both of you, and be out of it; each of you shall be an enemy to the other.” (Verse 123) Thus, the enmity was declared the whole world over. This means that there is no excuse for Adam and his progeny.

没有人能说自己是在毫无防备中遭遇的。每个人都清楚其中的局势，也清楚那持续不断的敌意。整个宇宙都知晓此事：“你们彼此为敌。”（第123节）

None can claim to have been taken unawares. Everyone knows the score and the unabating hostility. The whole universe is aware of it: “Each of you shall be an enemy to the other.” (Verse 123)

伴随着这一响彻天地的宣告，并有一切天使作证，真主出于恩典，决定在惩罚人类的罪过之前，派遣使者为人类带来指引。因此，在真主提醒众仆人注意亚当与撒旦之间的这场敌对的同时，也告诉他们，祂必将赐予他们指引。

Along with this declaration which resounded throughout the heavens and the earth, and which was witnessed by all the angels, God has willed, out of His grace, to send His messengers bringing guidance to mankind, before He punishes them for their sins. Thus, at the same time He alerts His servants to this enmity between Adam and Satan, He announces to them that He will provide them with guidance.

然后，他将根据他们是否遵循他的指引或拒绝指引，给予他们相应的报酬。

He will then give them their reward according to whether they follow His guidance or reject it:

当我的引导降临你们时,谁遵循我的引导,谁就不会迷误,也不会痛苦;但谁背弃我的启示,谁的生活就必定狭窄,我还要在复活日使他瞎眼而来。他会说:"我的主啊,你为什么使我瞎眼而来?我原本是能看见的。"主说:"就是这样:我的启示曾降临你,你却忘记了它。今天你也同样被忘却。"我就这样报应那些过度妄为、不信主之迹象的人。后世的刑罚必定更严厉、更持久。(第123-127节)

When guidance shall come to you from Me, he who follows My guidance will not go astray, nor will he suffer misery; but he who turns away from My message shall have a straitened lift and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection. ‘Lord,’ he will say, ‘why have You raised me up blind, while I was endowed with sight?’ He will reply: ‘Thus it is: Our revelations were brought to you, but you were oblivious to them. So today shall you be consigned to oblivion. ‘For thus shall We reward him who transgresses and does not believe in his Lord’s revelations. Indeed the suffering in the life to come shall be most severe and most enduring. (Verses 123-127)

这一关于人类将从真主获得指引的应许，紧接在阿丹的故事之后作出，仿佛它本身就是这故事的一部分。它是在故事结束时，于天堂中宣告的。因此，它是确定的，早在很久以前就已注定，不容取消或修改。

This promise of the guidance mankind will receive from God is made immediately after Adam’s story, as though it constitutes a part of it. It is declared there in heaven at the conclusion of the story. It is, then, final, determined long ago, admitting no cancellation or amendment.

这一章经文接着带我们看前人的覆灭。这些事比审判日更贴近我们，而且我们亲眼可以看到他们的毁灭以及他们遗留下来的痕迹，而复活之事我们却无法亲眼看见。

The sūrah now moves us along to look at how earlier communities met their fate, which is much closer to us than the Day of Judgement. Moreover, we can see their destruction and what is left of them with our own eyes, while we cannot see resurrection.

难道他们没有看见，在他们之前，我毁灭了多少世代吗？他们走在那些曾经居住过的地方上。其中确有明证，给有理智的人们。假若不是你的主早已有了判决，并定了期限，他们的毁灭必定不可避免。（第128-129节）

Can they not see how many generations We have destroyed before their time? They walk about in the very places where they dwelt. In this there are signs for men of wisdom. Now, were it not for a decree from your Lord already gone forth, setting a term, their destruction would have been inescapable. (Verses 128-129)

当我们用眼睛和思想去审视前代民族的命运时；当我们仔细观察他们曾经生活和繁荣的土地时；当我们想象他们的居所如何变得空无一人时；当我们展开想象，看见他们在自己的土地上行走，往来奔走，前行，歇息，眺望未来，为各自的忧虑而操劳，然后睁开眼睛，却只看到一片空寂时，我们便会意识到，自己正站在悬崖边缘，随时可能像前代民族那样被吞没。我们知道，曾经压倒前代世代的那股伟大力量，同样能够压倒今天的世代。这样，我们便理解了所给予我们的警告的含义，因为其中的教训就摆在我们眼前。那么，当前代的命运为每一个愿意运用理智的人提供了一切指引时，人们为何仍然不认识神圣的引导呢？{在此确有迹象，给有理智的人。}（第128节）

When we look with our eyes and minds at the fate of earlier communities; when we look closely at the lands were they lived and prospered; when we imagine their dwellings and how they became empty with no one living in them; when we stretch our imagination to see them walking through their lands, going here and there, moving along, taking rest, looking to their futures, dealing with their worries, and then open our eyes to see nothing but emptiness, we realize that we are at the edge of a precipice that threatens to engulf us like it did earlier communities. We know that the great power that overwhelmed earlier generations is able to overwhelm the present ones as well. We understand then the meaning of the warning given to us, because the lesson is there for us to see. How come, then, that people do not recognize divine guidance when the fate of earlier generations provides every guiding indication to anyone who has a mind to use: “In this there are signs for people of wisdom.” (Verse 128)

神的智慧注定，神不会在今世以灾难消灭他们。这就是他们没有遭遇类似命运的原因。这是神所定的安排，给予他们宽限，直到为他们所定的期限。否则，他们也会因拒绝真理而受到惩罚："若非你的主早已有所前定，并定下期限，他们的毁灭必然不可避免。"（第129节）

Divine wisdom has willed that God will not eliminate them by a calamity that befalls them in this present world. This is the reason why they do not meet a similar fate. This is a situation God has decreed, giving them respite up to a term appointed for them. Otherwise they too would have been punished for their rejection of the truth: “Now, were it not for a decree from your Lord already gone forth, setting a term, their destruction would have been inescapable.” (Verse 129)

我们之前提到，那些不信道者已被给予宽限。他们有自己的期限，但绝不意味着他们已被抛弃。先知被告知，不要过多地留意他们，也不要留意他们在今世所享有的奢华与安逸。这一切都是对他们的考验。真主赐予他的恩惠，远比这更好、更丰厚。他应当保持耐心，坚定不移：

We mentioned that the unbelievers had been given respite. They will have their term, but they have definitely not been abandoned. The Prophet is told not to pay much attention to them or to the luxuries and comforts they have been given in this life. All this is a test for them. What God has given him of His blessings is much better and greater. He is to remain patient and steadfast:

因此,无论他们说什么,你都要忍耐,要赞美你主的无限荣耀并颂扬祂,在日出之前和日落之前都要如此;在夜间的时刻和白天的时刻,你也要赞颂祂的荣耀,以便你能获得安宁知足的境界。不要贪慕我们让他们中的许多人享受的今世生活的光彩,我们借此考验他们。你主所赐的给养确实更好,也更长久。你要命你的家人礼拜,并且要坚持不懈地履行礼拜。我们不向你索取任何给养,是我们供养你们。最终的成果属于敬畏主的人。(第130-132节)

Hence, bear with patience whatever they may say, and extol your Lord’s limitless glory and praise Him before the rising of the sun and before its setting; and extol His glory, too, during the hours of the night as well as during the hours of the day, so that you may attain a state of contentment. Do not turn your eyes covetously towards whatever splendour of this world’s life We have allowed many of them to enjoy in order that We may test them thereby. Whatever provisions your Lord may give are indeed better and longer lasting. Enjoin prayer on your people, and be diligent in its observance. We do not ask you for any provisions. It is We who provide for you. The future belongs to the God-fearing. (Verses 130-132)

先知被命令要以耐心忍受不信者所说的一切。他不应回应他们的亵渎、拒绝和嘲讽。他既不应因他们所说的话而苦恼，也不应为他们可能面临的结局而忧伤。他要转向他的主，在日出之前和日落之前赞颂祂：清晨，伴随着黎明清新的气息，生命开始苏醒；傍晚，太阳即将落下、整个宇宙仿佛闭上双眼、准备入睡时，万物渐渐变得清凉。他应当在白天和黑夜中不时地赞颂真主、赞美祂，以便始终保持与祂的联系。

The Prophet is instructed to bear with patience whatever the unbelievers say. He is not to answer their blasphemy, rejection or ridicule. He should be neither distressed by what they say, nor grieved at what may await them. He is to turn to his Lord, glorifying Him before sunrise and sunset: early with the fresh breath of dawn as life awakens, and late as everything begins to cool down when the sun is about to set and the whole universe seems to close its eyes, ready to sleep. He is to glorify God and praise Him intermittently through the day and the night, so as to keep his link with Him throughout.

这样的赞颂既是对先知的勉励，也是对他所有追随者的勉励，“以便你们得以满足”。（第130节）当我们赞颂真主时，便与祂建立了直接的联系；保持这种联系的人会感到满足与安宁。他处于一种满足的状态，因为他周围的一切也都让他感到满足；他也感到安心，因为他知道，在真主的佑助下，他是安全和稳妥的。因此，满足感是崇拜与赞颂真主的果实。它本身就是一种回报，在人的内心中产生。

Such glorification is urged on the Prophet, and all his followers, “so that you may attain a state of contentment.” (Verse 130) When we glorify God, we have a direct link with Him, and the person who maintains such a link is contented, reassured. He is in a state of contentment as everything around him feels content; and he is reassured because he knows that, with God’s help, he is safe and secure. Thus, contentedness is the fruit of worship and God’s glorification. In itself, it is a reward that is generated within one’s heart.