One day Sultan Mahmud of Ghazna was walking with the sage Ahmed Hussein. At that time there were rumors that Ahmed could look into the soul of any person and read his thoughts. The Sultan desperately wanted to force Hussein to show his strength. But Ahmed always refused Mahmud’s requests, and he did not change himself this time either. Then the Sultan decided to resort to cunning and put the sage in such conditions that he, albeit involuntarily, would show his abilities.
“Ahmed,” he called out to the sage.
- Yes?
-What kind of person do you think that is?
- Carpenter.
- Well, what's his name?
- As well as me, Akhmed.
- How long has it been since he ate?
- No, just recently and something sweet.
The Sultan ordered the servants to bring this man to him, and then it turned out that the sage had made no mistake.
“You see,” the Sultan exclaimed joyfully, “you, most honorable one, are hiding your spiritual powers and even refuse to admit to me your abilities.” But, you must admit, I still managed to force you to resort to their help, but if I tell people about what I just witnessed, rumor will immediately elevate you to the rank of saints. I wonder how then you will be able to follow your main Sufi commandment - to always remain in the shadows and pretend to be a simple person?
“Yes, Sultan,” answered Ahmed, “I can really read minds, but no one knows when I do it.” But I, by nature, do not use my abilities for the sake of trifling amusement, and therefore my secret will remain unsolved.
“But you can’t deny that you just used your secret knowledge?”
- Why?
- Well, okay, then explain how you managed to answer all my questions so accurately?
- Well, Sultan, it’s quite simple. When you called to me, this man turned around, so I thought that his name was the same as mine. I guessed that he was a carpenter when I saw that in this forest he was only interested in those trees that were most suitable for this craft. Well, from how furiously he waved away the bees that were trying to land on his lips, I realized that he had recently eaten sweets.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru