Timurleng, who brought terror to the Rumian lands with executions, called to him, wherever he went, scientists and sages and asked:
—Who am I—a just man or a tyrant?
If anyone said: “You are just,” Timurleng cut off his head; but to those who said: “You are a tyrant,” he also cut off their heads.
The scientists became thoughtful and did not know what to do. But since the fame of the Khoja spread everywhere, the people turned to him with a prayer:
- Have pity, Hodja! Apart from you, we have no one to expect help from. Do something. Take the tyrant's sword away from the innocent servants of God.
Khoja said:
“My dears, although it is not as easy as you think, a righteous God is a helper to the oppressed, and perhaps, thanks to the power of your prayers, I will be able to do something.”
Reluctantly, he went to Timurlenga's palace. Timurleng was informed that Khoja had appeared and was ready to answer his questions. When Timurleng asked the Khoja his usual question, the Khoja replied:
“You cannot say that you are a just ruler or a rebellious tyrant. We are tyrants, and you are the sword of justice. Almighty God sent you against us, tyrants worthy of punishment. You know the verse: “The Lord, by mercy, shows condescension and affection towards you. But he makes a laughing stock of the one who breaks the commandments”?..
They say that this is the correct answer that Timurleng was waiting for. He fell in love with the Khoja very much, and he made him his confidant; and all the time while he was in Rum, he did not let him go from him. Perhaps, out of respect for the Khoja, he spared Akshehir and its surroundings, and Karaman too. This is how these cities got rid of Timur’s sword and the plunder of his annoying soldiers.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru