以星辰密布的天空起誓；以所许诺的日子起誓；以见证者和被见证者起誓：挖掘深坑者必被诅咒——那坑中燃着熊熊烈火，他们坐在火旁，眼看着自己对信士所做的一切。他们对信士的仇视，只因信士信仰万能、可赞颂的真主，而天地的主权皆属于祂。真主是万物的见证者。

"By the heavens with constellations; by the Promised Day; by the witness and the witnessed; doomed were the makers of the pit, abundantly supplied with fuel, as they sat by it and watched what they did with the Believers. They were outraged with them only because they believed in God, the All-Powerful, the All- Praiseworthy, He to Whom belongs the dominion of the heaven and the earth. And God is Witness over everything.

诚然，那些迫害信道的男人和女人，之后又不悔改的人，将受火狱的刑罚；他们将受焚烧的刑罚。至于那些信道并行善的人，他们将有下临诸河的乐园，那是伟大的成功。

"Indeed, for those who persecute the believing men and women, and later do not repent, is the penalty of Hell; for them is the penalty of burning. As for those who believe and do good deeds, there are Gardens through which rivers flow, and that is the great triumph.

"的确，你的主的惩罚是猛烈的。是他创造，并使之复始。他是至赦的，至慈的，有宝座的，是力行者。" (85:1-16)

"Most certainly, strong is the grip of your Lord. It is He Who originates and repeats. And He is the Forgiving, the Loving, the Lord of the Throne, Performer of what He desires." (85:1-16)

《布鲁只》章（"星宿"章）中所讲述的"掘沟者"的故事，需要信士们深思，无论他们生活在哪个时代、哪个地方，凡是邀请人们归向真主的人都应如此。

The story of the Makers of the Pit as told in the chapter "Al-Buruj" ("The Constellations") requires deep thought by those among the Believers, to whatever time and place they belong, who invite people to God.

这个故事连同其引言、描述、评论与教训，在《古兰经》中所揭示的，是关于真主召唤的本质、人们对这一召唤的反应，以及这一召唤在其广阔范围内可能产生的后果等深刻的真理。这一召唤的范围极为广大，涵盖整个世界、今世与后世。《古兰经》通过这个故事，为信士们指明了他们前方的道路，并使他们做好准备，以坚韧的毅力接受未来一切尚不为他们所知的遭遇，这一切都在至睿的真主的允许之下。

The story, with its introduction, description, comments and moral, as related in the Qur'an, points out some profound truths concerning the nature of the Call toward God, the reaction of people to this Call, and the consequences which are possible in the vast scope of this Call-the scope whose vastness encompasses the whole world, this life and the life beyond it. The Qur'an through this story, points out to the Believers the road which lies before them and prepares them to accept with fortitude whatever comes their way, as yet unknown to them, with the permission of the All-Wise God.

这是一群相信真主的人的故事,他们公开宣告自己的信仰。他们遭遇了暴虐、压迫的敌人,这些敌人一心要剥夺人信仰至大、至尊、受颂扬之真主的权利。他们企图剥夺人所被赋予的尊严——那是真主赐予人的尊严,若失去它,人便沦为暴君手中的玩物,任其拷打、焚烧,并以其痛苦的哀号供施虐者取乐。 Note: the original says "God," so per the instructions I should write the Chinese word for God rather than "Allah." Here is the corrected translation: 这是一群相信真主的人的故事,他们公开宣告自己的信仰。他们遭遇了暴虐、压迫的敌人,这些敌人一心要剥夺人信仰至大、至尊、受颂扬之神的权利。他们企图剥夺人所被赋予的尊严——那是神赐予人的尊严,若失去它,人便沦为暴君手中的玩物,任其拷打、焚烧,并以其痛苦的哀号供施虐者取乐。

This is the story of a group of people who believed in God and openly proclaimed their belief. They encountered tyrannical and oppressive enemies who were bent upon denying the right of a human being to believe in the All-Mighty, the All-Praiseworthy God. They intended to deprive man of that dignity which has been bestowed upon him by God and without which he is reduced to a mere plaything in the hands of tyrants, to be tortured, burned alive, and provide entertainment to his tormentors by his cries of agony.

但信士们心中的信仰使他们超越了一切迫害。信仰战胜了生命。

But the faith in the hearts of the Believers raised them above all persecution. Belief triumphed over life.

酷刑的威胁没有动摇他们，他们从未收回己见，直至被烈火焚烧而死。

The threat of torture did not shake them, they never recanted, and they burned in the fire until death.

诚然，他们的心灵从对今世的崇拜中解放出来。无论是对生命的眷恋，还是对痛苦死亡的恐惧，都不能使他们屈服而接受屈辱。他们让自己摆脱了这片大地及其一切诱惑，凭借崇高的信仰战胜了今世。

Indeed, their hearts were liberated from the worship of this life. Neither the love of life nor the fear of an agonizing death could make them yield to accept dishonor. They freed themselves from this earth and all its attractions, triumphing over life through a sublime faith.

与这些信道、正直、崇高而尊贵的灵魂相对的，是傲慢、作恶、犯罪且卑劣的人。这些罪人坐在火坑旁，看着信士们如何受苦、如何在痛苦中扭动。他们坐在那里，以欣赏的心情观看火如何吞噬有生命的躯体，看这些高尚灵魂的身体如何被烧成灰烬和余烬。每当这些正直信士中的某个青年男子或女子、某个孩童或老人被投入火中，他们那恶魔般的快感便达到新的高峰，眼见鲜血和碎肉，疯狂的欢呼便从他们口中迸出。

Against these believing, righteous, sublime and honorable souls were pitted arrogant, mischievous, criminal and degraded people. And these criminals sat by the pit of fire, watching how the Believers suffered and writhed in pain. They sat there to enjoy the sight of how fire consumes living beings and how the bodies of these noble souls were reduced to cinders and ashes. And when some young man or woman, some child or old man from among these righteous Believers was thrown into the fire, their diabolical pleasure would reach a new height, and shouts of mad joy would escape their lips at the sight of blood and pieces of flesh.

这一骇人听闻的事件表明，这些叛逆之徒已经堕落到了何等败坏的地步——以折磨他人来寻求快感，这种堕落程度，即便是任何野兽也不曾达到。野兽猎杀猎物是为了充饥，从不会以折磨猎物来获得快感。

This hair-raising incident shows that these rebellious people had sunk to those levels of depravity, seeking pleasure through torturing others, which are not even reached by any wild beast. A wild beast kills its prey for food, never to derive pleasure through tormenting it.

同一件事还显示出信士的灵魂可以飞升到何等的高度，它是自由而解放的——这种高度的达成，在所有世代和所有时期都是最崇高的荣誉。

The same incident also shows the height to which the spirit of a Believer can soar, liberated and free - that height, the attainment of which has been the highest honor in all generations and in all periods.

按照世俗的计算，暴政战胜了信仰。这种信仰虽然在这一群正直、高尚、坚毅而崇高的人们心中达到了顶峰，但在暴政与信仰的较量中却没有分量。

By earthly reckoning, tyranny triumphed over faith, and this faith, although it reached its zenith in the hearts of this righteous, noble, steadfast and sublime group, had no weight in the struggle between tyranny and faith.

与此事件相关的传述，如同《古兰经》的经文一样，并未说明真主是否像惩罚努哈的民众、呼德的民众、萨利赫的民众、舒阿卜的民众和鲁特的民众那样，在今世惩罚了这些暴君的罪行，也未说明真主是否像擒获法老及其军队那样，在他们极尽荣华与权势之时将其惩治。

The traditions relating to this incident, like the text of the Qur'an, say nothing concerning whether God punished these tyrants in this life for their crimes as He punished the people of Noah, the people of Hud, the people of Salih, the people of Sh'uaib, and the people of Lot, or as He caught Pharaoh with his army in all his splendor and power.

因此，从尘世的角度来看，这样的结局既可悲又令人痛心。

Thus from the earthly point of view, the end was pitiful and tragic.

但这件事就此结束了吗？那群信士，纵然信仰崇高，难道就这样消失了，葬身于烈火深坑，遭受酷刑？而那群罪犯，纵然罪行残忍卑劣，难道就这样逍遥法外，未受惩罚？

But did this matter finish here? Did the group of Believers, with all the sublimity of their faith, vanish - vanish in the pit of fire with their torments? And did the group of criminals, with all the depravity of their crime, go unpunished?

从世俗的角度看，这样悲惨的结局令人心痛！但《古兰经》教导信士的却是另一回事，向他们揭示另一种实相，给他们展示另一把衡量一切事物的尺度，并启发他们认识这场斗争的真正范围。

From the earthly point of view, this tragic end troubles the heart! But the Qur'an teaches the Believers something else, reveals to them another reality, shows them another scale with which to weigh all matters, and enlightens them concerning the scope of the struggle.

人生的种种乐与苦、成就与挫折，在天平上并无多大分量，也并不决定得失与盈亏。胜利不局限于眼前的成功，眼前的成功只是胜利的众多形式之一。

Life's pleasures and pains, achievements and frustrations, do not have any great weight in the scale, and do not determine the profit or loss. Triumph is not limited to immediate victory, which is but one of the many forms of triumph.

在真主的天平上，真正的分量是信仰的分量；在真主的市场上，唯一受到需求的商品是信仰这一商品。最高形式的胜利，是灵魂战胜物质，是信念战胜痛苦，是信仰战胜迫害。在上述事件中，信士们的灵魂战胜了恐惧与痛苦，战胜了尘世与今生的诱惑，他们在酷刑面前取得了这样的胜利，这胜利是全人类在各个时代的荣耀，这才是真正的胜利。

In the scale of God, the true weight is the weight of faith; in God's market the only commodity in demand is the commodity of faith. The highest form of triumph is the victory of soul over matter, the victory of belief over pain, and the victory of faith over persecution. In the incident described above, the souls of the Believers were victorious over fear and pain, over the allurements of the earth and of life, and they gained such victory over torture which is an honor for all mankind for all times-and this is the true victory.

人皆有死，死因各异；但并非人人都能取得这样的胜利，抵达这样的高度，尝到这样的自由，飞翔于地平线上如此遥远的极限。这是神的拣选与尊荣，赐予一群人：他们与世人同样面对死亡，却因荣誉而从其他人中被特别标举出来——在最尊贵的天使之中享有尊荣，甚至若以人类历代的全部历史来衡量，他们也超越于众人之上。

All men die, and of various causes; but not all gain such victory, nor reach such heights, nor taste such freedom, nor soar to such limits of the horizon. It is God's choosing and honoring a group of people who share death with the rest of mankind but who are singled out from other people for honor -honor among the noblest angels, nay, even among all mankind, if we measure them by the standards of the total history of generations of men.

这些信士本可以通过放弃信仰来保全性命；但这样做，他们自己将付出多大的损失，全人类又将遭受何等巨大的损失呢？他们将会失去，并且扼杀这一伟大的真理：没有信仰的生命毫无价值，没有自由的生活令人蒙羞；如果暴君被允许支配人的灵魂与肉体，那么这种状况就是彻底的堕落。

It was possible for these Believers to save their lives by giving up their faith; but with how much loss to themselves, and with what a great loss to all mankind? They would have lost and would have killed this great truth, that life without belief is worthless, without freedom is degrading, and if tyrants are allowed to dominate men's souls as well as their bodies, then it is entirely depraved.

这便是那崇高的真理、伟大的真理，信士们在世上活着的时候就已领悟。他们在烈火舔舐、焚烧其凡胎肉身之时，依然领悟并找到了它。这一崇高的真理，战胜了火狱的折磨。

This was that noble truth, the great truth, which the Believers realized while they were alive on the earth; they realized and found it while the fire was licking them and burning their mortal frames. This noble truth triumphed over the torment of the fire.

这场斗争的范围不限于这个大地，也不限于今世。这场斗争的见证者也不仅仅是一代人。天使同样参与大地上所发生的事情：它们观察这些事情，并为之作证，它们以一种不同于一代人、甚至不同于人类所有世代的尺度来衡量这些事情。天使是高尚的灵魂，其数量远远超过大地上的人类。毫无疑问，在这一尺度下，天使的赞许与尊重，远比大地上人们的意见与评判更为重要。

The scope of this struggle is not limited to this earth or to this life. The observers of this struggle are not merely a generation of men. The angels are also participants in the happenings on earth; they observe them and are a witness to them, and they weigh them in a scale which is other than the scale of a generation or even of all generations of men. The angels are noble souls who number many times more than the people on the earth. Without question the praise and respect of the angels is far greater in this scale than the opinion and judgment of the people on the earth.

然后是后世。那才是真正的领域，它与尘世的领域相邻，并不与之分隔，无论就实际情况而言，还是就信士对这一实在的认知而言都是如此。

And then there is the Hereafter. That will be the real sphere which is adjacent to the earthly sphere and is not separated from it, in actuality as well as in the believers' perception of this reality.

因此，这场斗争并不止于此，真正的决断也不可能在此做出。那些仅依据其发生在地上的部分所作的判断，因此是不正确的，因为这样的判断只会涉及这场斗争中一个很小、相当微不足道的部分。

Thus the struggle does not end here, and the real decision cannot be reached here. Any judgment based on that part of it which took place on earth is therefore incorrect, as this judgment will concern only a small and rather insignificant part of this struggle.

前一种观点，即世俗尺度下的观点，是有限而狭隘的，是急躁之人所持有的看法。

The former viewpoint, that is, that of the earthly scale, is limited and narrow, entertained by a hasty man.

后一种观点是全面而富有远见的，这样的观点是通过《古兰经》的教导在信士心中培育起来的，因为它是现实的镜子，也是正确信仰的基础。

The latter viewpoint is comprehensive and far-sighted, and such a viewpoint is nurtured in a believer by the teachings of the Qur'an, as it is the mirror of reality and the basis of correct belief.

在信士因信仰、顺从、面对灾难时的坚忍以及战胜迫害而获得的诸多回报中，真主所应许的之一，便是心灵的安宁与知足。

Among the rewards which God has promised to the Believers for their faith, obedience, steadfastness in the face of calamity, and victory over persecution is contentment of heart:

"信道的人，他们的心因记念真主而安宁。要知道，记念真主，心便得安宁。"（13:28）

"Those who believe, and their hearts find satisfaction in remembrance of God. Indeed, remembrance of God brings contentment to the hearts". (13:28)

这也是至慈主的喜悦与爱。

And it is the pleasure and love of the All-Merciful:

“信道并行善的人，至仁主必使他们得到爱戴。”（19:96）

"Surely upon those who believe and do good deeds the All-Merciful shall assign love." (19:96)

而这也是对崇高者的教诲。

And it is remembrance on High:

先知穆罕默德ﷺ说:"当某人的孩子去世时,真主问天使:你们是否取走了我仆人孩子的灵魂?他们说:是的。然后祂说:你们是否取走了他眼中的瞳仁?他们说:是的。然后祂说:我的仆人说了什么?他们说:他赞美了祢,并说:'我们确实属于真主,我们也必将归于祂。'然后祂说:在乐园里为我的仆人建一座房子,并称之为'赞美之家'。"(提尔米兹圣训集)

The Messenger of God-peace be on him-said: "When a certain person's child dies, God asks the angels: Did you take away the soul of My servant's child? They say: yes. Then He says: Did you take away the apple of his eye? They say Yes. Then He says: What did My servant say? They say: He praised You and said, 'Indeed, we belong to God and to Him shall we return'. Then He says: Build a house for My servant in the Garden and call it 'The House of Praise." (Tirmidhi)

他还说:"至高无上的真主说:我依照我的仆人对我的想法待他;他记念我时,我与他同在;他在心中记念我时,我也在自己心中记念他;他在一群人中提到我时,我在一个更好的群体中提到他。他向我走近一拃,我便向他走近一臂;他向我走近一臂,我便向他走近一步;他向我走来,我便向他奔去。"(布哈里和穆斯林辑录)

He also said: "God Most High says: I am to My servant according to his thought concerning Me; when he remembers Me, I am with him; when he remembers Me to himself, I remember him to Myself; when he mentions Me among a group, I mention him in a better group. If he comes toward Me one span, I come toward him an arm's length; if he comes toward Me one arm's length, I come toward him one step; if he walks toward Me, I run toward him." (Bukhari and Muslim)

这也表明天使对地上信士的事务十分关切。

And it is the keen interest of the angels in the affairs of the Believers on earth:

{真主的宝座的承载者以及环绕宝座的天使，赞颂他们的主，信仰他，并为信士们求饶说："我们的主啊！你的慈悯和学识无所不包。求你赦宥那些悔罪并遵循你的正道的人，并使他们免受火狱的刑罚。"}(40:7)

"The bearers of the Throne and those around it engage in their Lord's praise, and they believe in Him, and ask forgiveness for the Believers: 'Our Lord! Your mercy and knowledge encompass everything. Then forgive those who repent and follow Your path, and save them from the torment of Hell." (40:7)

而这也是对殉道者的生命，来自真主。 Note: the original says "God", so I have rendered it as 神 rather than "Allah" per the instruction. Correcting that: 而这也是殉道者来自神的生命：

And it is life from God for the martyrs:

{不要以为那些在主道上被杀的人是死的，他们是活着的，在他们的主那里获得供养。他们因主所赐的恩惠而欢喜，并为那些还留在世上、尚未赶上他们的人感到欣慰：他们将无所畏惧，也不会忧愁。他们因主的恩惠和恩赐而喜悦；真主绝不会使信士们的报酬落空。}

"Do not consider those as dead who were killed in the way of God; they are living and find sustenance from their Sustainer. They enjoy what God has given them from His bounty, and are glad for those who are left behind (on earth) and have not reached there yet, that they shall have no fear nor shall they grieve. They are jubilant at the favor from God and His bounty; indeed, God does not destroy the reward of the Believers".

(3:169-171)

(3:169-171)

至于那些拒绝信仰者、暴君和罪犯，真主屡次应许，要在后世惩罚他们，同时给予他们在世间有限的生存期限；尽管真主也曾在今世惩治过其中一些人，但对于最终的刑罚，重点在于后世。

And as to rejectors of faith, the tyrants and the criminals, God has repeatedly promised that He will catch them in the Hereafter, while giving them a limited period of living on earth: although He has caught some of them in this world too, yet for the final punishment emphasis is on the Hereafter:

"不要让那些不信道者在地上的往来走动欺骗了你。那只是短暂的享受，然后他们的归宿是火狱，那真是最恶劣的归宿！"（3:196-197）

"Do not let yourself be deceived that the unbelievers walk about in the land; a limited enjoyment, and then their abode is Hell and what an evil place!" (3:196-197)

不要以为真主不知道不义之人的所作所为。祂只是将（审判）推迟了

"Do not think that God is unaware of the doings of the wicked people. He has deferred (judgement for)

“……让他们等到那一天，那一天，众目圆睁，他们伸长脖子、昂着头奔跑，目光不能回转到自身，心中一片空虚。”（14:42-43）

them to the Day when the eyes shall stare, and they shall run with necks outstretched and heads erect, their sight never returned to themselves, their hearts void". (14:42-43)

"任由他们去玩乐嬉戏，直到他们被许诺的那一天到来。那一天，他们将从坟墓中出来，奔跑着，仿佛趋向某个既定的目标——目光低垂，面容蒙羞。这就是他们曾被许诺的那一天。"（70:42-44）

"Leave them to fun and play until the Day comes which they have been promised. On that Day they will come out of the graves and run as if hastening toward a fixed goal -eyes downcast, faces degraded. It will be the Day which they were promised". (70:42-44)

因此,人类的生命与天使的生命相连;这种生命延续到后世;善与恶、真理与谬误、信仰与暴政之间的斗争舞台,也不局限于这个地球。这件事并不在此终结,最终的裁决也不是在今世作出的。

Thus the life of mankind is adjoined with that of the angels; this life proceeds into the life Hereafter; and the field of struggle between good and evil, between the truth and falsehood, and between faith and tyranny, is not limited to this earth. This matter does not finish here, nor is the decision made in this world.

这一生及其中的一切快乐与痛苦、成就与挫折，在天平上的分量都不重。

This life and all its pleasures and pains, achievements and frustrations, do not weigh much in the scale.

这场奋斗的领域在空间与时间、尺度与规模上都极为广阔。这种认识拓宽了信士的视野，提升了他的志向，使这片大地及其中的一切、这一世及其种种牵绊，在他眼中都变得渺小。信士的伟大，与他所看见和领悟的那些境界与视野成正比。要树立这样宽广、全面、高尚而纯洁的信仰观念，“坑主”的故事便是一个极好的范例。

The field of struggle is very broad in space and in time, in measures and in scales. This realization enlarges the Believer's horizons and heightens his aspirations, so that this earth and whatever is in it, this life and its attachments, shrink in his sight. The Believer's greatness increases in proportion to what he sees and understands of the scopes and horizons. To create such a broad, comprehensive, noble and pure concept of faith, the story of the Makers of the Pit is a great example.

此外,关于"真主"的召唤及其与各种可能性的关系,还可以从"坑主"的故事以及"星宿"章(Al-Buruj)中获得启示。

Light is also thrown on another aspect of the Call toward God and its situation with respect to all possibilities in the story of the Makers of the Pit and the chapter "Constellations" ("al-Buruj") .

在与其他思潮的斗争中，主道（伊斯兰的呼唤）的历史在这个世界上经历了各种各样的结局。

The history of the Call toward God has witnessed various endings in this world in its struggle with other movements.

它见证了努哈（Noah）的族人、胡德（Hud）的族人、舒艾卜（Sh'uaib）的族人和鲁特（Lot）的族人的覆灭，也见证了一小群信士的侥幸逃生——仅仅是侥幸逃生。然而，《古兰经》并未说明这些逃生者在逃生之后，于今世和后世做了些什么。这些例子告诉我们，有时至高无上的主会让叛逆者和暴君在今世先尝到惩罚的滋味，而完整的惩罚仍在后世等待着他们。

It has witnessed the annihilation of the people of Noah, the people of Hud, the people of Sh'uaib, and the people of Lot, and the escape-the bare escape-of a small group of believers. But the Qur'an does not state what these escapees did in the world and life after their escape. These examples tell us that sometimes God Most High gives the rebels and tyrants a taste of punishment in this world, while the full punishment still awaits them in the Hereafter.

这段关于“召唤”的历史见证了法老及其军队的覆灭，以及穆萨和他的people得以逃脱，并在大地上确立了他们的权威。那一时代的人是以色列人全部历史中最虔诚的，尽管他们并未达到完全的坚忍，也未能在世上全面确立真主的宗教；这一例子与之前的例子不同。 Note: I must correct myself on one point to follow the rules. The original says "God", so I should write 真主 only if the rule requires "God" word; the instruction says write the Chinese word for God, which is 真主 in Chinese Islamic texts, which is acceptable. The corrected translation, with the people rendered in Chinese and without the stray English word: 这段关于“召唤”的历史见证了法老及其军队的覆灭，以及穆萨和他的族人的逃脱，并在大地上确立了他们的权威。那一时代的人是以色列人全部历史中最虔诚的，尽管他们并未达到完全的坚忍，也未能在世上全面确立真主的宗教；这一例子与之前的例子不同。

This history of the Call witnessed the annihilation of Pharoah and his army, and the escape of Moses and his people and the establishment of their authority in the land. Those people of that time were the most righteous in all their (the Israelites') history, although they did not attain complete steadfastness nor establish the religion of God on earth in its entirety; and this example is different from the previous ones.

这段伊斯兰召唤的历史见证了那些背离正道、不信穆罕默德ﷺ的多神教徒的覆灭，也见证了信士们的彻底胜利，以及他们内心信仰所带来的惊人胜利。人类历史上第一次，真主的道路以这样完备的方式确立起来，这是人类在此之前和之后都未曾见到的。

This history of the Call witnessed the annihilation of the polytheists who turned away from the guidance and belief in Muhammad -peace be on him -and it witnessed the complete victory of the Believers, with the amazing victory of belief in their hearts. And for the first time in the history of mankind the way of God was established in such completeness as was not seen by man, either before or after.

正如我们所见，它也见证了“坑主”的例子。

And it witnessed, as we have seen, the example of the Makers of the Pit.

它也见证了早前或后来的许多其他例子，而这些在信仰的历史中很少被提及。

And it witnessed many other examples in earlier or later times with little mention in the history of faith.

即使在今天，它仍在见证这样的例子，这些例子走向了几个世纪以来历史上记载的各种可能结局之一。

And even today it is witnessing such examples, which reach one or another of the possible endings recorded throughout history for centuries.

在各种先前或后来的例子中，"坑的主人"的例子不可忘记。

Among the various earlier or later examples, the example of the Makers of the Pit must not be forgotten.

不可忘记这样一个例子：信士无从逃避，而不信者却未受惩罚！这是为了让信士——即向主号召的人——始终清楚地意识到，他们在主的道路上也可能遭遇这种极端结局，而对此他们无能为力。他们的事务与信仰之事，都取决于主。

The example must not be forgotten in which the Believers have no escape and the unbelievers are not punished! This is so that the Believers-the callers toward God -should remain fully aware that they can also meet this extreme end in the way of God, and they have no say in it. Their matter and the matter of belief rests with God.

他们的任务是履行自己的责任，然后离去。他们的责任是选择真主，宁愿信仰而不顾生命，借助信仰超越迫害，并以行动与意图来为真主作证。至于他们和他们的敌人，以及真主的宗教和祂的使命，则交由真主依祂认为适当的方式处理。祂可以为他们选择历史上已知的任何一种结局，也可以选择一种只有祂知晓和洞察的其他结局。

Their task is to fulfill their obligation, and go. Their obligation is to choose God, prefer belief over life, raise themselves above persecution through faith, and to testify to God with deed as well as intention. Then it is up to God to deal with them and with their enemies, with His Religion and His Call, as He deems proper. He may choose for them any one of the endings known in history, or some other ending which only He knows and sees.

他们是为真主工作的人。无论何时、以何种方式、如何做，只要真主要求他们去做，他们就应当去做，并获得应得的报酬。至于他们的努力将以什么结局告终，这既不在他们的能力范围之内，也不是他们的责任。这属于掌握权柄的主，而不属于仅仅是工作者的人。

They are workers for God. Whenever, whatever, however He wants them to do their work, they should do it and take the known reward. To decide what will be the ending of their endeavor is neither in their power nor is it their responsibility. This is the responsibility of the One in authority, not of those who are mere workers.

他们在今世获得报酬的第一部分，即内心的安宁、理解的高度、思想的美妙、从欲望与诱惑中解脱，以及无论处于何种境况都免于恐惧和忧伤；他们获得报酬的第二部分，则是赞美、在天使中的被提及与尊崇，此外还有在这世上人们中的同样声誉。

They receive the first part of their reward in the form of contentment of heart, height of understanding, beauty of ideas, liberation from desires and attractions, and freedom from fear and sorrow, in whatever condition they may be They receive the second part of their reward in praise; remembrance and honor among the angels, in addition to these among the people of this earth.

然后，他们在后世将获得更大、更后的那一部分回报：轻松的清算和丰厚的恩典。

Then they receive the greater and the last part of their reward in the Hereafter: easy accounting and great favors.

除了各种回报之外，他们还会获得最大的回报：真主的喜悦。他们蒙受恩典，是因为真主选择了他们来成就祂的旨意，使他们成为祂的权能的工具，让祂按照自己认为适当的方式，在这个世上使用他们。

With every kind of reward, they also receive the greatest of rewards: the pleasure of God. It is His bounty on them that He chose them for His purpose, an instrument for His power, so that He makes use of them on this earth as He deems proper.

第一代尊贵穆斯林所接受的古兰经教育，在这方面达到了最高的程度。

The Qur'anic training of the first noble generation of Muslims was of this character to the highest degree.

他们在这件事上失去了自我与身份，成为那位掌权者的仆从，无论在任何决定、任何境况中，都对真主感到满意。

They lost their personalities and identities in this matter, acting as workers for the One in authority, and were pleased with God in every decision and in every condition.

在先知——愿主赐他平安——的教导中，《古兰经》的教诲与之并行，使信士们的心和目光转向乐园，并坚忍地履行所托付的使命，直到真主成就祂在今世的旨意，以及在后世那使祂喜悦的结果。 先知ﷺ看到加到阿玛尔、他的父亲和他的母亲——愿主喜悦他们——身上的酷刑是何等猛烈，但他除此之外只说了这样一句话："忍耐吧，雅西尔的家人！乐园已为你们应许。" 赫巴布·本·艾尔·艾拉特——愿主喜悦他——传述说："我们在先知ﷺ靠在天房的阴影下休息时，向安拉的使者ﷺ诉苦，说：'你为什么不祈求真主帮助我们？你为什么不为我们祈祷？'于是他说：'在你们之前，曾有人被捉住，把他埋进地上挖好的坑里，直到一半身体被埋住，然后用锯子从头锯下，锯成两半；也有人用铁梳子梳理他的肉与骨头，但这些都没有使他背离他的宗教。以真主起誓！真主必使这件事圆满完成，将来会有一个骑手独自从萨那骑行到哈德拉茂特，除了真主之外他无所畏惧，除了害怕狼会吃掉他的羊之外别无所惧；但你们却太过急躁。'"（布哈里）

The training by the Prophet- peace be on him - went side by side with the Qur'anic teachings, turning their hearts and eyes toward the Garden, and toward patiently persevering in their assigned task until God ordains what He intends in this world as well as what is pleasing to Him in the Hereafter The Prophet - peace be on him - saw the intensity of tortures heaped upon 'Ammar, his father and his mother - may God be pleased with them-but he said nothing more than this: "Patience, family of Yasir! The Garden is promised for you." And Khabbab bin al-Aratt-may God be pleased with him - reported: "We complained to the Messenger of God - peace be upon him -while he was resting in the shadow of Ka'aba, saying, 'Why do you not ask God to help us? Why do you not pray for us? Then he said: 'Before you, there were people who would catch a man, bury him halfway in a hole dug in the ground, then saw his head until it split in two; or would comb with iron combs between his flesh and bones; yet this would not turn him away from his religion. By God! God will bring this matter to completion, and a time will come when a rider will ride alone from Santa to Hadramut and he will have no fear except of God, or of a wolf against his sheep; but you people are in a hurry". (Bukhari)

真主的智慧贯穿每一项决定和每一种状况。祂管理着整个宇宙,祂知晓它的开端与终结,掌控其中的每一件事及其相互关系。祂知道那隐藏在幽玄帷幕之后、我们无从得见的智慧——这智慧与祂的意志相结合,推动着历史漫长进程的展开。

God's wisdom underlies every decision and every condition. He administers the entire universe, and, He is informed of its beginning and its end, controlling its events and its interrelationships. He knows the wisdom, hidden from us behind the curtains of the Unseen-the wisdom which, in conjunction with His will, unfolds the long process of history.

有时，经过数代乃至数百年，真主会向我们揭示某件事的智慧，而这件事在当时的人看来并不可解。他们或许会疑惑：为什么会这样？主啊！为什么会发生这件事？这样的疑问本身源于无知，信士则使自己远离这种无知。他早已知道，任何决定背后都有智慧。他在概念上的开阔胸怀，以及他在时空、价值与尺度中的远见，使他超越了那种始于此类疑问的不信。他怀着顺服与满足，行进在真主所定的道路上。

Sometimes, after generations and centuries, God unveils to us the wisdom of an event which was not understood by the contemporary people. They might have wondered: Why this? O Lord! Why did this happen? The question itself is due to ignorance from which the Believer saves himself. He already knows that behind every decision there is wisdom. His breath of concept and his far-seeing vision in space and time, and in values and scales, raises him above this unbelief whose beginning is in such a question. He journeys on God's ordained course with submission and contentment.

《古兰经》所塑造的，是那些配得上承担真主在大地上代理者之重任的心灵。这些心灵必须坚定、刚强、纯洁，舍弃一切，忍受一切，不把目光投向尘世的任何东西，而是放眼后世，除了求取真主的喜悦之外别无所求，并且愿意在贫困、艰难、挫折、磨难和牺牲中走完人生之路，直到死亡。他们不应寻求任何急于到来的回报，无论是召唤的胜利、伊斯兰的主导地位、穆斯林的荣耀，还是暴君的覆灭——正如全能全能的主曾经对待前代的不信者那样。当这样的心灵被找到，它们知道在今生的历程中自己将不会有任何期待，真理与谬误的裁决将在后世作出；当这样的心灵被找到，并且真主知道他们所许下的誓约中意图的真诚，他便赐予他们大地上的胜利，并将这一重任托付给他们。这一重任并非为了他们自身的利益，而是为了让他们建立真主的制度。

The Qur'an was creating hearts worthy of bearing the trust of being God's representatives on earth. It was necessary that these hearts be so solid, so strong and so pure, leaving behind everything and bearing everything patiently, as not to fix their sights on something of this earth, but looking beyond to the Hereafter, not seeking anything except the pleasure of God and being willing to traverse the path of life until death in poverty, difficulty, frustration, torment and sacrifice. They were not to seek any hasty reward on this earth, whether it was the reward of the victory of the Call, the dominance of Islam, and the glory of the Muslims, or even that this reward be the annihilation of the tyrants, as the All Mighty, the All Powerful had dealt with former generations of unbelievers. When such hearts were found which knew that during the course of this life they would have no expectations, and that the decision between the truth and falsehood would be made in the Hereafter-when such hearts were found, and God knew the sincerity of their intentions concerning which they had pledged, he gave them victory in the earth and bestowed upon them the trust. This trust was not for their benefit, but so that they might establish the Divine system.

当他们承担起这份使命时，并没有人向他们许诺任何可以索取的世俗利益，他们的目光也没有放在获取这些利益上。从他们知道除了神的喜悦之外别无报酬的那一天起，他们便成为了虔诚侍奉神的仆人。

They became the bearers of this trust when no promise was made to them of worldly benefits which they could have demanded, nor were their sights fixed on acquiring such benefits. They were dedicated servants of God from the day they knew of no reward except His pleasure.

所有提及胜利的应许、提到战利品，或说明多神教徒将在今世由信士之手受到惩罚的《古兰经》经文，都是在麦地那降示的。这些经文是在这些事情已从信士的行动范围、期望与愿望中完全排除之后才降示的。真主的襄助是自行到来的，那时真主意欲使这种生活方式在人类生活中成为现实，使一代代的人能够以实际而具体的形式看到它，而不是将其视为对奋斗、辛劳、牺牲与苦难的回报。这确实是真主的决定，其中的智慧，我们今天正在努力探究。

All the verses of the Qur'an in which victory is promised, or in which spoils are mentioned or where it is told that the polytheists will be punished in this world by the hands of the Believers, were revealed in Medina. These were revealed only after all these matters were excluded from the Believer's scope of action, his expectation and his desire. God's help came on its own, when God intended that this way of life become actual in the life of mankind, so that generations of men could see it in a practical and concrete form, and not as a reward for the endeavors, the hard work, the sacrifice and the sufferings. This was indeed a decision of God, the wisdom of which we are trying to fathom today.

这一要点需要所有向真主/神召唤的人深入思考，无论他们属于哪个国家、哪个时代；因为这能保证他们清楚而毫不含糊地看见道路上的里程碑，并为愿意走完全程的人确立道路，无论这一终点是什么。至于神要如何处置他的召唤和他们，那全在于祂。于是，他们在这条路上行走时，不会因焦急而去寻求援助与胜利，也不会渴望真理与虚妄的判决就在此世完成——这条路上铺满了骷髅、断肢、鲜血与汗水。然而，如果神自己有意通过他们的努力来完成祂的召唤与祂的宗教，祂就会实现祂的旨意——但这并非对他们所受苦难与牺牲的回报。的确，今世不是报偿之地。

This intricate point requires deep thought by all callers toward God, to whatever country or period of time they belong; for this guarantees that they will be able to see the milestones of the road clearly and without ambiguity, and establishes the path for those who wish to traverse it to the end, whatever this end may be; then what God intends to do with His Call and with them is up to Him. Then they will not be anxious, while traversing this road ever paved with skulls and limbs and blood and sweat, to find help and victory, or desirous that the decision between the truth and falsehood be made on this earth. However, if God Himself intends to fulfill the completion of His call and His religion through their efforts, He will bring about His will- but not as a reward for their sufferings and sacrifices. Indeed, this world is not a place of reward.

另一个值得深思的事实，是《古兰经》对“坑主”故事的评述。至高无上的真主说： Note: The rules say to write the Chinese word for God rather than "Allah", so the Quranic speaker here is rendered as 真主 per the instruction to use the Chinese word for God. Correcting that to follow the rules strictly: 另一个值得深思的事实，是《古兰经》对“坑主”故事的评述。至高无上的神说：

Another fact to ponder here is a comment of the Qur'an on the story of the Makers of the Pit where God Most High says:

“他们对信士们怀恨，只因为信士们信仰那全能的、可赞颂的真主。” 历代历时的造化主的号召者，都应当深思这一深刻的真理。

"And they were angered with the Believers, only because they believed in God, the All-Powerful, the All- Praiseworthy." The callers to God, of any period or generation, ought to think over this deep truth.

信士与敌人之间的斗争，实质上是信仰之争，绝非其他任何事情。敌人之所以愤怒，只是因为信士的信仰；他们之所以暴怒，也只是因为信士的信念。

The struggle between the Believers and their enemies is in essence a struggle of belief, and not in any way of anything else. The enemies are angered only because of their faith, enraged only because of their belief.

这场斗争并非政治斗争、经济斗争或种族斗争;如果是其中任何一种,解决起来都会容易得多,其困难也会迎刃而解。但实质上,这是一场信仰之间的斗争——要么是不信,要么是信仰;要么是蒙昧时代(Jahiliyyah),要么是伊斯兰。

This was not a political or an economic or a racial struggle; had it been any of these, its settlement would have been easy, the solution of its difficulties would have been simple. But essentially it was a struggle between beliefs-either unbelief or faith, either Jahiliyyah or Islam.

这正是麦加多神教徒的领袖们向上帝的使者——愿主赐其平安——提出的条件：只要他放弃信仰的斗争，与他们在此事上达成妥协，他们便愿意给予他财富、王权和世间的种种享乐。假如他接受了他们所要求的——愿上帝宽恕我们这样说——那么他与他们之间便再无任何区别了。

This is why the leaders of the polytheists of Mecca offered the Messenger of God - peace be on him - wealth, kingship and worldly things against only one thing: that he give up the struggle of belief and settle with them in this affair. Had he accepted - may God forgive us for saying this - what they asked of him, no difference whatsoever would have remained between them and him.

确实，这是一个关乎信仰的问题，也是一场信仰之争。信士们应当对此深信不疑，无论他们的敌人如何宣称。他们之所以成为敌人，仅仅是因为信仰——"仅仅因为他们信奉全能、值得赞颂的真主"——也因为他们只将自己的顺从与服从纯粹地奉献给祂。

Indeed, this was a question of belief and a battle of belief. The Believers ought to be certain of this, whatever be the declaration of their enemies. They are their enemies only because of their belief-"only because they believe in God, the All-Powerful, the All-Praiseworthy" - and because they purify for Him alone their obedience and submission.

敌人可能希望把这场斗争转变为经济、政治或种族层面的斗争，使信士们对这场斗争的真实本质产生困惑，从而使他们心中的信仰之火熄灭。信士们不可被欺骗，必须明白这是一个诡计。敌人通过改变斗争的性质，意图剥夺他们获得真正胜利的武器——这种胜利可以有各种形式，无论是像《坑之主》故事中信士们那样的精神自由的胜利，还是像穆斯林第一代人那样，作为精神自由之结果而获得的世界主导地位。

The enemies of the Believers may wish to change this struggle into an economic or political or racial struggle, so that the Believers become confused concerning the true nature of the struggle and the flame of belief in their hearts becomes extinguished. The Believers must not be deceived, and must understand that this is a trick. The enemy, by changing the nature of the struggle, intends to deprive them of their weapon of true victory, the victory which can take any form, be It the victory of the freedom of spirit as was case of the Believers in the story of the Maker of the Pit, or dominance in the world -as a consequence of the freedom of spirit-as happened in the case of the first generation of Muslims.

我们今天在基督教世界的一些做法中也能看到这种情况：他们试图扭曲历史，声称十字军东征是一种帝国主义行为，以此蒙骗我们。事实是，近代的帝国主义不过是十字军精神的一层面具，因为它已无法以其真实面目出现，而这在中世纪是有可能的。赤裸裸的十字军精神，曾在穆斯林领袖坚定的信仰之岩前粉碎，这些领袖出身各异，其中有库尔德人萨拉丁和马穆鲁克人图兰沙，他们忘却了民族的差异，牢记了共同的信仰，在伊斯兰的旗帜下取得了胜利。

We see an example of this today in the attempts of Christendom to try to deceive us by distorting history and saying that the Crusades were a form of imperialism. The truth of the matter is that the latter-day imperialism is but a mask for the crusading spirit, since it is not possible for it to appear in its true form, as it was possible in the Middle Ages. The unveiled crusading spirit was smashed against the rock of the faith of Muslim leadership which came from various elements, including Salahuddin the Kurd and Turan Shah the Mamiuk, who forgot the differences of nationalities and remembered their belief, and were victorious under the banner of Islam .

"他们对信士发怒，只因为他们信仰全能、可赞的真主。" 至大的真主说的是实话，而这些背信弃义的欺骗者是骗子！

"They were angered with the Believers only because they believed in God, the All-Powerful, the All- Praiseworthy." Almighty God spoke the truth, and these treacherous deceivers are liars!