“Yā Sīn。以智慧充盈的《古兰经》发誓。”（第1—2节）真主以这两个字母和《古兰经》起誓。这一组合印证了我们在别处提出的观点：即经文开头所出现的若干单独字母，与《古兰经》之间存在着联系。《古兰经》出自真主，其明证就蕴含在这些字母之中：这些字母是所有阿拉伯人都能运用的，然而他们却无法借助它们写出任何类似《古兰经》中所包含的思想与表达方式。然而，他们很少思考这一印证。
“Yd Sin. By the Qur’ān, All of wisdom.” (Verses 1-2) God says an oath by these two letters and by the Qur’ān. This combination endorses the view we have expressed elsewhere about the mention of separate letters at the beginning of many sūrahs, and the relation between mentioning these letters and the Qur’ān. The proof that God is the source of the Qur’ān is obvious from these letters which are available to all Arabs to use yet they are incapable of producing with them anything like the thoughts and modes of expression contained in the Qur’ān. Yet seldom do they consider such confirmation.
以《古兰经》起誓，全能的真主形容它充满智慧。
As He swears by the Qur’ān, God Almighty describes it as being full of wisdom.
事实上，字面的翻译应当是“以充满智慧的《古兰经》发誓。”智慧是有理性之存在者的品质，这表明誓词以此方式表述，是为了赋予《古兰经》以生命的属性，即拥有目的与意志，而这些正是一个有智慧的存在所不可或缺的。
In fact, a literal translation should be ‘By the wise Qur’ān.’ Wisdom is a quality of rational beings, which suggests that the oath is phrased in this way to impart to the Qur’ān the qualities of life, having a purpose and a will, which are essential for a wise being.
虽然这是一种寓言式的说法,但它描述的却是一个事实,使其更贴近我们的心灵之眼。这部《古兰经》有它自己的灵魂,赋予它类似于活生生的人的特质,你与它之间会有相互的回应和情感。当你全神贯注地关注它,用心灵和灵魂去聆听时,这种情形便会发生。每当你向它敞开心扉,《古兰经》便会向你揭示更多的奥秘。当你在《古兰经》的陪伴中生活了一段时间,你就会渴望它独特的品质,正如你渴望一位亲密朋友的品质一样。真主的使者ﷺ过去喜欢聆听别人诵读《古兰经》。如果他听到有人在屋内诵读《古兰经》,他甚至会在那人的门前停下脚步,就像恋人倾听关于所爱之人的谈话一样。
Although this is allegorical, nonetheless it describes a fact, bringing it closer to our minds’ eye. This Qur’ān has a soul of its own, giving it qualities similar to those of a living person with whom you have mutual responses and feelings. This takes place when you pay full attention to it and listen to it with your heart and soul. Whenever you open your faculties up to it, the Qur’ān reveals to you more of its secrets. When you have lived for a while in the company of the Qur’ān, you will long for its distinctive features, just as you long for the features of a close friend. God’s Messenger used to love to listen to the Qur’ān being recited by other people. He would even stop by people’s doors if he overheard someone inside reciting the Qur’ān, just like a lover listens to a conversation about the one he loves.
《古兰经》无疑是充满智慧的。它依照每个人的能力与其对话：触动人心，言辞适度，运用适合每个人的智慧。此外，《古兰经》充满智慧。它以一套正直、合乎逻辑、契合心理的体系来教育人，释放人类的全部潜能，引导人走向善与有益之事。它确立了一套生活准则，使人类的一切活动都能在其智慧体系的范围之内进行。
The Qur’ān is certainly wise. It addresses everyone according to their ability; touching heart strings, speaking in a measured way, and using a wisdom that suits each person. Furthermore, the Qur’ān is full of wisdom. It educates people wisely, according to a straight logical and psychological system that releases all human potential and directs people to what is good and beneficial. It establishes a code of living that allows every human activity within the limits of its wise system.
全能的真主以Yā和Sīn这两个字母，以及《古兰经》起誓，以证实启示的真实性，以及先知所传达的讯息：“你确是众使者之一，遵循正路。”（经文3-4）真主的荣耀无限，无需以誓言来表达什么，但以《古兰经》及其字母起誓，赋予了所起誓之事物更大的尊贵。真主若非所起之誓的事物确实伟大、值得以之起誓，祂是不会以之起誓的。
God Almighty swears by the two letters, Yā and Sīn, and by the Qur’ān to confirm the truth of revelation and the message delivered by the Prophet: “You are indeed one of God’s messengers, pursuing a straight way.” (Verses 3-4) Limitless in His glory, God does not need to express an oath, but this oath by the Qur’ān and its letters gives the subject of the oath added greatness. God would not swear by anything unless it were great indeed, worthy of being sworn by.
“你确实是上主的使者之一。”（第3节）这节经文的措辞给人的感觉是：派遣使者是一个众所周知的事实，过去有许多先例。然而，这里要证明的并不是这一点。相反，这里所强调的是：穆罕默德ﷺ是这些使者之一。这个誓言是对穆罕默德ﷺ本人所说的，而不是对那些否认他的使命的人所说的，目的是使这誓言、这位使者和这使命不容争辩或讨论。这是上主关于祂的使者所陈述的一个事实。
“You are indeed one of God’s messengers.” (Verse 3) The way this verse is phrased imparts a feeling that sending messengers is a well recognized fact, with many past cases. This is not what is being proved here. Instead, what is being emphasized is that Muĥammad (peace be upon him) is one of these messengers. The oath is addressed to Muĥammad himself, not to those who deny his message, so as to place the oath, the Messenger and the message above argument or discussion. It is a fact being stated by God about His Messenger.
“你确实是神的使者之一，行走在正道之上。”（第3-4节）这是在阐明使者的真实身份之后，对所传信息本质的说明。这信息本质上是直截了当的。它笔直如同剑刃。它容不下弯曲、偏离或偏见。其中所包含的真理清晰明确，没有模糊之处，也不会为了迎合任何利益或满足任何私欲而有所扭曲。凡是渴望这真理的人，都会发现它纯净、简明而准确。
“You are indeed one of God’s messengers, pursuing a straight way.” (Verses 3-4) This explains the nature of the message after the truth about the Messenger has been stated. By nature, this message is straightforward. It is as straight as the edge of a sword. It admits no crookedness, deviation, or prejudice. The truth it contains is clear, free of ambiguity, and does not bend to serve any interest or to satisfy any desire. Whoever wants this truth will find it pure, simple and accurate.
因为它是直接的，这一真理简单明了，没有纷繁复杂的问题，也不像有争议的话题那样令人困扰。它以最简单、最直接的方式陈述真理，所需的解释和诠释最少。它不会赋予词语和句子任何特殊的色彩或言外之意。因此，无论受教育程度和文明水平如何，人人都能轻易理解：每个人都能从中找到使自己的生活顺畅前行所需要的东西，而它本身也条理清晰、规范有序。
Because it is straight, this truth is simple, free of complexity and problems that beset controversial issues. It states the truth in the simplest and most direct way that needs the least amount of explanation and interpretation. It does not give words and sentences any special colour or overtone. As such, it is readily understood by people of all standards of education and civilization: each finds in it what they need for their lives to take an easy course, being also properly organized and well regulated.
此外,古兰经的讯息与宇宙的本性及其体系相一致,也与人周围的一切事物的本性相一致。因此,它既不与存在的任何事物相冲突,也不要求人陷入冲突之中。它遵循自己的道路,借助并配合支配宇宙及其中所有生物的规律。
Moreover, the Qur’ānic message is consistent with the nature of the universe and its system, as well as the nature of all that is around man. Hence, it neither conflicts with any thing in existence nor requires man to be in conflict. It follows its own way benefiting from, and cooperating with the laws that govern the universe and all creatures living in it.
因此，伊斯兰的信息沿着它的正道前行，必定通向真主……
Wait, the rules say "God" should be translated as the Chinese word for God, not "Allah". So the correct rendering is 真主 (which is the usual Chinese term for God in Islamic texts) — but to be strictly faithful to "God" as the Chinese word for God, use 神 is less appropriate. The standard Chinese word for God in this context is 真主, so I'll keep it.
因此，伊斯兰的信息沿着其正道前行，必定会抵达真主。
As such, the Islamic message pursues its straight way to God, sure to reach Him.
其信奉者并不担心会迷失通往祂的道路，或偏离祂的道路。他们知道自己正行走在通向祂喜悦的正道上。《古兰经》便是这条道路上的指引。只要人持守《古兰经》，他就会发现一种前后一致的真理观，其中阐明了详细的价值准则，每一项都有清晰而明确的作用。
Its adherents do not fear that they may lose their way to Him, or take a path away from Him. They know that they are on a straight path leading to His pleasure. The Qur’ān is the guide along this way. As long as man takes up the Qur’ān, he will find a consistent concept of the truth, outlining detailed values, each having a clear and well defined role.
"这是来自全能者、至慈主的启示。"（第5节）我们注意到，在这类情形中，真主如何自我介绍，以便人们理解所启示之事的真实本质。真主是全能者，行其所欲；然而，祂对仆人是至慈的。祂对他们所做的一切，皆出于祂的慈悲。
“It is a revelation by the Almighty, the Ever Merciful.” (Verse 5) We note how God identifies Himself in such situations so that people will understand the true nature of what has been revealed to them. God is the Almighty who does what He pleases, yet He is Merciful to His servants. Whatever He does to them is born out of His mercy.
这部启示的目的是警告世人，并传达真主的讯息。正如经文所说："以便你警告那些祖先未曾受过警告的人，因此他们是不知觉的。"（第6节）无知于真理，是最严重的败坏。
The purpose of this revelation is to warn people and give them God’s message: “so that you may warn people whose forefathers had not been warned, and who therefore are unaware [of the truth].” (Verse 6) To be unaware is the worst form of corruption.
无觉察使心无法回应或互动。它看见通往真理的指引,却无法回应,也无法感知其临在。因此,对于那些仍未觉察、已历经数代而无人提醒他们真理的人,警示是最好的给予。他们是以实玛利的后裔,自他的时代以来,便没有来自真主的使者。由此看来,有力的警示或许能唤醒那些长久未觉察的人。
Unawareness makes a heart unable to respond or interact. It sees the pointers to the truth yet is unable to respond, unable to feel their presence. Therefore, a warning is the best thing that can be given to such people who remain unaware, having gone for generations without anyone to alert them to the truth. They were the descendants of Ishmael, and they had had no messenger from God since his time. A strong warning may, then, alert people who have long been unaware.
随后，这一章讲述了这些人的命运，以及他们注定将遭受的审判。真主知道他们内心和思想中的一切，也知道他们过去所做的和将来要做的一切：“他们中的大多数人已经注定了惩罚，因为他们不信道。”（第7节）审判已经作出，因为真主知道他们不会信道。因此，他们中大多数人的命运便是如此，因为他们不会认识到天启的指引，也不会与之相互回应。
The sūrah then speaks of the fate of these people, and the judgement that is certain to befall them, considering that God knows all there is in their hearts and minds, and all that they did in the past or will do in the future: “The verdict has been passed against most of them, for they will not believe.” (Verse 7) Judgement has been passed, as God knows that they will not believe. Hence, this is the fate of the majority of them because they will not see divine guidance for what it is nor will they interact with it.
此时，这一章勾勒出他们的心理状态：我们看到他们颈上套着枷锁，与神圣的引导之间隔着屏障，眼睛上蒙着遮蔽，使他们失去了看见的能力。
At this point, the sūrah draws an image of their psychological condition, and we see them with chains around their necks, barriers separating them from divine guidance, and with a cover over their eyes depriving them of the ability to see:
“我在他们的颈上套着枷锁，枷锁直抵下颏，使他们的头被迫抬起。我在他们的前面设了一道屏障，在他们的后面也设了一道屏障，并用帷幕遮蔽他们，使他们不能看见。”（36:8-9）他们的双手被锁链拴在颈上，锁链置于下颏之下，其结果是把头抬起，使他们看不见面前的东西。此外，他们的前后都有墙壁和屏障，这意味着即使他们从这些枷锁中被释放出来，他们仍然无法穿透屏障看见外面。
“Around their necks We have put chains, reaching up to their chins, so that their heads are forced up. And We have set a barrier before them and a barrier behind them, and We enshrouded them in veils so that they cannot see.” (Verses 8-9) Their hands are fastened with chains to their necks, placed under their chins, which has the effect of lifting up their heads such that they cannot see what is in front of them. Moreover, there are walls and barriers both in front of and behind them, which means that even if they were released from these chains, they still could not see through the barriers.
此外,蒙在他们眼睛上的遮盖物使他们更加无法看见。
Furthermore, the covers placed over their eyes makes it even more impossible for them to see.
虽然这个画面凌厉而尖锐,但我们确实会遇到这样一类人。当你看到他们对眼前分明的真理视而不见时,你会感觉他们与真理之间仿佛隔着一堵墙。他们的手没有被锁链捆住,头也没有被强按下去,但你仍然感到他们的灵魂与心智已经背离了真理,无法看见引导。仿佛有重重障碍阻止他们走近真理。那些对《古兰经》充耳不闻、在它摆出论证与证据时以非理性的否认来接受它的人,正是如此。而《古兰经》本身就是无可辩驳的确证。
Although this image is fierce and sharp, we actually do encounter people of this ilk. When you see them overlooking the plain truth that is in front of them, you feel as if there is a wall separating them from it. Although their hands are not chained and nor are their heads forced up, you nonetheless feel that their souls and minds are turned away from the truth, unable to see guidance. It is as if there are barriers preventing them from approaching it. Such were the people who turned deaf ears to the Qur’ān and who received it with irrational denial as it put before them its argument and proof. This is when the Qur’ān is itself irrefutable proof.
“无论你警告他们还是不警告他们，对他们而言都是一样的：他们不会信道。”（第10节）他们的情况已经定局。真主知道，信仰不会进入他们的心中。对于那些已经对神的指引变得麻木、并且抗拒其靠近的心，任何警告都不会带来益处。警告并不能创造心灵，它只是唤醒那颗有生命、准备接受指引的心：“你只能警告那些遵循这训诫、并且敬畏至仁主的人，尽管祂是人的感知无法触及的。你应当把真主将要赦宥他们，并将给予他们丰厚报酬的喜讯，告诉这样的人。”（第11节）
“It is all the same to them whether you warn them or you do not warn them: they will not believe.” (Verse 10) Their case is settled. God knows that faith will not penetrate their hearts. No warning will ever benefit a heart that has steeled itself against divine guidance, and barracked its approach. Warnings do not create hearts; it only alerts a heart that is alive, ready to receive guidance: “You can truly warn only such a one as follows this reminder and who stands in awe of the Lord of Grace although He is beyond the reach of human perception. To such, then, give the happy news of God’s forthcoming forgiveness and a generous reward.” (Verse 11)
很可能，这里的“教诲”指的是《古兰经》。那些遵循《古兰经》、敬畏真主、尽管未曾见到祂的人，才是从警告中受益的人。仿佛这警告只是给予这些人的，先知所针对的也只是他们，尽管他向所有人发出了这警告。由于其他人无法接受这警告，看起来它就只是给予那些遵循《古兰经》、敬畏真主的人的。这样的人理应得到喜讯。因此，先知被命令向他们传达“来自真主的、即将到来的宽恕和丰厚的报酬”的喜讯。（第11节）只要他们不坚持所犯的罪，他们就需要宽恕自己所犯的任何罪过；而因敬畏真主、遵循祂所启示的，他们便配得丰厚的报酬。这两个方面相辅相成：当一个人真正敬畏真主时，他必定会遵循祂的引导，并落实祂所制定的制度。
Most probably, the ‘reminder’ in this instance refers to the Qur’ān. A person who follows the Qur’ān and fears God despite not seeing Him is the one who benefits by the warning. It is as if the warning has been given to such people only and the Prophet directed it to them alone, even though he addressed it to all people. Since the others are prevented from receiving the warning, it looks as if it is given only to those who follow the Qur’ān and fear God. Such people deserve to be given good news. Hence the Prophet is told to give them ‘the happy news of Gods forthcoming forgiveness and a generous reward.’ (Verse 11) They need the forgiveness of any sin they commit providing they do not persist in doing it, and they deserve the generous reward for fearing God and following what He has revealed. These two aspects go hand in hand: when a person truly fears God, he or she is certain to follow His guidance and implement the system He has laid down.
此时，经文强调复活的真理，以及一种不遗漏任何事情的清算："是我们使死人复活；我们记录他们所预先做的，以及他们遗留下来的痕迹。我们把一切事物都记录在明白的册子里。"（第12节）使死人复活，一直是充满争议的问题，本章中我们将看到其中几种类型。在这里，人们被警告：他们所做的一切，以及他们的行为所产生的一切影响，都被记录下来，没有任何遗忘。使死人复活、记录他们的行为、并清算一切的，是全能的真主。所有这些，都是以与真主所做的一切相符的完美方式进行的。至于"明白的册子"以及类似的描述，例如"受保护的录板"，这些很可能是指真主超越时间和空间的完美知识。
At this point, the truth of resurrection is emphasized, together with the reckoning that ignores nothing: “It is We who will bring the dead back to life. We record whatever (deeds] they send ahead, as well as the traces they leave behind. We keep an account of all things in a clear record.” (Verse 12) Bringing the dead back to life has always been an issue fraught with argument, of which we will see several types in this sūrah. They are warned here that whatever they do and whatever effects their deeds cause are written down, and nothing is forgotten. It is God Almighty who brings the dead back to life, records their actions and reckons everything. All this, then, is done in the perfect way that fits anything done by God. As for the ‘clear record’ and similar descriptions such as ‘the imperishable tablet’, these are most probably references to God’s perfect knowledge that transcends time and place.