Then Muhammad asked Afshin, “What is the book which you have got which you have adorned with gold and gems and brocade?  Its contents are impious with reference to God?” Afshin replied, “This is a book which I have inherited from my father and it contains the manners of the Persians, and as regards the impiety to which you refer I take advantage of the book in so far as the manners are concerned and I leave all the rest.  And I found it bejewelled and as there was no occasion for me to take off the gems I left it as it was just as you have left with yourself the book Kalileh and Dimneh and the Book of Mazdak in your house.  For I don’t think the book would make me lose my Islam.”

Then came forward the Mobed and referring to Afshin said, “This man is used to eating animals that have been strangled and he suggested the eating of it to me alleging that the flesh was more fresh than the flesh of slaughtered animals.  And he used to kill a black goat every Wednesday and tearing it up with his sword he would pass through the two halves, and he would then eat the flesh.  And one day he told me, ’I have entered this community [Islam] with reference to every detail of theirs which I hate so that I have eaten of olive oil, have ridden on camels, have put on the Arabian shoes, but although I have gone to this extent I have not in any way been injured and no harm has come to me:  nor have I had myself circumcised.’”

Then Afshin said “Let me know as regards this man who is speaking these words whether he is a staunch believer in his own religion.”  Now the Mobed was a Magian who subsequently received Islam at the instance of the Khalif Mutawakkil and repented of his previous belief.  They replied, “No.”

Afshin then said, “What is the meaning of your adducing the evidence of a man who is not firm in his own faith?” Then turning to the Mobed Afshin said, “Was there between your house and my house any door or any hole through which you could look at me and learn my movements?”

“No,” said the Mobed.

Afshin then asked, “Was I not then introducing you into my private affairs and informing you regarding my Persian nationality and my inclination towards it and towards the people of the race?”

“Yes,” said the Mobed.

Said Afshin, “Now you are not firm in your own religion, and you are not faithful to your promise when you have revealed the secret confided by me to you.”

Then the Mobed withdrew and the Marzban turned up.  Afshin was asked whether he knew him, and said “No.”

Then the Marzban was asked whether he knew Afshin and said “Yes.  This is Afshin.”

Afshin was then told that this was the Marzban and the Marzban turning to Afshin said; “Oh cutthroat, why do you prevaricate and shuffle?”

Afshin said, “Oh you long-bearded one, what are you talking?”

The Marzban said “How do people under your jurisdiction address you when they write to you?”