up his prayers [for my prosperity]; he spoke with such sweet modulation, as if he were the nightingale of a thousand melodies.  I greatly admired his elegant and decorous speech; but, assuming a face of anger, I exclaimed, “O, you Satan in human form! what net is this that thou hast spread, and in thine own path what pit hast thou dug?  What is thy religion, and what rite is this I see?  Of what prophet’s sect are thou a follower?  If thou wast an infidel, even then what sense is there in thy conduct? what is thy name, that thou actest thus?

The khwaja calmly replied, “May your majesty’s years and prosperity ever increase; this slave’s religious creed is this, that God is one:  he has no equal, and I repeat the confession of faith of Muhammad the pure (the mercy of God be shown to him and his posterity; may he be safe!) After him, I consider the twelve Imams as my guides; and my rite is this, that I say the five regulated prayers and I observe fasts, and I have likewise performed the pilgrimage, and from my wealth, I give the fifth in alms, and I am called a Musalman.  But there is a reason, which I cannot disclose, that I appear to possess all those bad qualities which have raised your majesty’s indignation, and for which I am condemned by every one of God’s creatures.  Though I am [ever so much] called a dog-worshipper, and pay double taxes, all this I submit to; but the secrets of my heart I have not divulged to any one.”  On hearing this excuse, my anger became greater, and I said, thou art beguiling me with words; I will not believe them until thou explainest clearly the reasons which have made thee deviate from the right path, that my mind may be convinced of their truth; then thy life will be saved; or else, as a retribution [for what thou hast done], I will order thy belly to be ripped up, that the exemplary punishment may deter others in future from transgressing the religion of Muhammad.

The khwaja replied, “O king, do not spill the blood of this unfortunate wretch, but confiscate all the wealth I have, which is beyond counting or reckoning, and having made me and my son a votive offering to your throne, release us, and spare us our lives.”  I smiled, and said, O fool! dost thou exhibit to me the temptation of thy wealth?  Thou canst not be released, except thou speakest the truth.  On hearing these words, the tears streamed profusely from the khwaja’s eyes; he looked towards his son and heaved a deep sigh, and said [to him] “I am criminal in the king’s eyes; I shall be put to death; what shall I do now? to whom shall I entrust thee?” I threatened him, and said, O dissembler! cease; thou hast made too many excuses [already]; what thou hast to say, say it [quickly].