Such a (deceptive) game is played by the Glorious God in order that you may see who belongs to the kin of Khalíl (Abraham).
این چنین لعب آمد از رب جلیل ** تا ببینی کیست از آل خلیل
A fire has been given the semblance of water, and in the fire a fountain has been opened.445
آتشی را شکل آبی داده‌اند ** واندر آتش چشمه‌ای بگشاده‌اند
A magician by his art makes a dish of rice (appear to be) a dish full of (tiny) worms in the assembly;
ساحری صحن برنجی را به فن ** صحن پر کرمی کند در انجمن
(Or) by the breath (power) of magic he has caused a room to appear full of scorpions, though in truth there were no scorpions.
خانه را او پر ز کزدمها نمود ** از دم سحر و خود آن کزدم نبود
When sorcery produces a hundred such illusions, how (much greater) must be the cunning of the Creator of sorcery?
چونک جادو می‌نماید صد چنین ** چون بود دستان جادوآفرین
Of necessity, through the magic of God generation after generation have fallen down (been vanquished), like a woman (lying) flat beneath (sub marito). [Of necessity, through the magic of God generation after generation have fallen down (been vanquished), like a woman (lying) flat beneath (under her husband).]
لاجرم از سحر یزدان قرن قرن ** اندر افتادند چون زن زیر پهن
Their magicians were slaves and servants, and fell into the trap (of Divine cunning) like wagtails.450
ساحرانشان بنده بودند و غلام ** اندر افتادند چون صعوه به دام
Hark, read the Qur’án and behold lawful magic (in) the overthrow of plots (huge) as the mountains.