They say that the Sufi Master Ibrahim ibn Adham was once sitting in a forest clearing, and two wandering dervishes approached him. He invited them to sit down, and they talked about subtle matters until dark. When night fell, Ibrahim invited the travelers as his guests to share a meal with him. They agreed, and immediately a table with excellent dishes appeared in front of them.
How long have you been a dervish? - one of the wanderers asked Ibrahim.
“Two years,” answered Ibrahim.
“I have been following the Path of the Sufis for almost thirty years, but not a single ability like the one you showed us has dawned on me,” the traveler noted in surprise.
Ibrahim remained silent.
The meal was already ending, and then a stranger in a green robe appeared in the clearing. He came up and shared the meal with them. Everyone intuitively felt that this was Khizr (al-Khadir, Khidr), the immortal guide of all Sufis, and hoped that he would share with them at least a small fraction of his wisdom.
Having already risen to leave, Khizr said:
“You two marveled at Ibrahim.” But what did you sacrifice to follow the Path of the Dervishes? You have just given up the comforts of ordinary life. Ibrahim ibn Adham was a powerful ruler, and in order to become a Sufi, he renounced the sultanate in Balkh. That's why he was ahead of you. And then, all these thirty years you have felt pleasure from your refusal - this was your reward. He always refrained from claiming a reward for his sacrifice.
Having said this, Khizr disappeared.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru