were surprised exceedingly when We observed that his one purpose was to
make the people realize that all these learnings were possessed by him.
And yet, I swear by God that not one breath, blowing from the meads of
divine knowledge, hath ever been wafted upon his soul, nor hath he ever
unravelled a single mystery of ancient wisdom. Nay, were the meaning of
Knowledge ever to be expounded unto him, dismay would fill his heart, and
his whole being would shake to its foundation. Notwithstanding his base
and senseless statements, behold to what heights of extravagance his
claims have reached!

Gracious God! How great is Our amazement at the way the people have
gathered around him, and have borne allegiance to his person! Content with
transient dust, these people have turned their face unto it, and cast
behind their backs Him Who is the Lord of Lords. Satisfied with the
croaking of the crow and enamoured with the visage of the raven, they have
renounced the melody of the nightingale and the charm of the rose. What
unspeakable fallacies the perusal of this pretentious book hath revealed!
They are too unworthy for any pen to describe, and too base for one
moment's attention. Should a touchstone be found, however, it would
instantly distinguish truth from falsehood, light from darkness, and sun
from shadow.

Among the sciences which this pretender hath professed is that of alchemy.
We cherish the hope that either a king or a man of preeminent power may
call upon him to translate this science from the realm of fancy to the
domain of fact and from the plane of mere pretension to that of actual
achievement. Would that this unlearned and humble Servant, who never laid
any pretension to such things, nor even regarded them as the criterion of
true knowledge, might undertake the same task, that thereby the truth
might be known and distinguished from falsehood. But of what avail! All
this generation could offer Us were wounds from its darts, and the only
cup it proffered to Our lips was the cup of its venom. On our neck We
still bear the scar of chains, and upon Our body are imprinted the
evidences of an unyielding cruelty.

And as to this man's attainments, his ignorance, understanding and belief,
behold what the Book which embraceth all things hath revealed; "Verily,
the tree of Zaqqum(144) shall be the food of the Athim."(145) And then
follow certain verses, until He saith: "Taste this, for thou forsooth art
the mighty Karim!"(146