Akbar often came to talk to Master Farid. The people from the village where Farid lived knew this. One day they came to the Master and said:
— The Emperor himself visits you. Why don't you ask him to build a school or a hospital in the village?
The people in the village lived poorly and ignorantly. Farid thought and said:
- Okay, since you ask so, I'll go. Only I don't know how to ask. I never asked for anything. But since you ask, I'll try.
In the morning he came to the palace. Everyone knew that Akbar was his follower, so he was immediately allowed in.
Akbar was in his sanctuary - a small chapel that he built with his own hands. He usually prayed in it. Farid entered and, seeing Akbar praying, decided to wait. Akbar prayed out loud and at the end said:
- Almighty God, strengthen my state, increase my wealth, scatter my enemies.
Farid, hearing this, turned to leave. Akbar finished his prayer, looked back and saw Farid coming down the stairs. He asked:
- How did you get here? And why are you leaving?
Farid said:
“I came to the king, but met a beggar here.” And if, when solving your problems, you turn to God for help, then I thought, why don’t I turn to God myself? Why do I need an intermediary?
Akbar left this story in his diary and wrote: “At that moment I realized: whatever you own, it does not matter, because the mind continues to ask for more and more.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru