بخش ۳ - گفتار اَندر آفرینشِ عالم

What this poem says

To understand the world, one must look back to the beginning of existence and know that the exalted Lord, to reveal His matchless power, brought being out of non-being and created creatures out of nothing. In the beginning, He created the four essential elements of existence — fire, water, wind, and earth — without effort and without need of time's passing. A bright, hot fire came forth and took its place beside water, wind, and dark earth, so that from the mingling of heat and cold, dryness and moisture, the material world could take shape. Then He raised the turning dome of the sky, forever revolving and showing some fresh wonder at every instant; He set the stars and planets within it and gave each its task, so that the wheel of time would turn. Following the heavens' motion, the earth — until then a dark, dim center — lit up like a lamp. Mountains lifted their heads to the sky, springs and rivers began to flow, and plants and trees of every kind grew up out of the earth. Plants have only the power to grow, and unlike other living things they cannot move; after them came the creation of animals, who rank above plants. Animals, having the power of motion, brought every plant under their rule; they eat, sleep, and seek ease, and their whole portion of life is these bodily pleasures. It should be understood that animals have no speaking tongue and no searching reason, and are occupied only with the nurture of their earthly bodies — for this reason they do not know the outcome of good and evil, nor does God expect worship or servitude from them. This astonishing order shows that the Creator is both mighty and just, and has hidden no art in His creation, though no one fully knows this world's hidden secrets.

A prose synopsis, not a translation of the verse. Translated from the Persian summary.