Hakim al-Mansouri was a great sage of Balkh, a city in Central Asia. He had thousands of disciples, and his mere appearance at the king's court was perceived as recognition of the legitimacy of his rule.
However, Hakim spoke very little and rarely. And if he did speak, it seemed that his words had nothing to do with spiritual values. However, many Masters of the Way demonstrated as an achievement that they were allowed to sit at his table, or be his guest, or even know his disciples or simply work in his house.
And then one day a famous priest challenged Hakim to a competition in matters of philosophy. He argued that al-Mansuri spoke so rarely and little about serious matters simply because he was ignorant and inexperienced in them.
Al-Mansouri went to Herat, where the priest who sent the challenge - Kwari Mukhtar - lived and taught in a famous college.
Hundreds of students and simply onlookers came to support each of the disputants, who did not want to miss the duel of the two giants.
Kvari, as if he had sent a challenge, began his speech with careful, carefully thought-out phrases, reserving his strength for a full-fledged powerful attack, when suddenly, not even a minute had passed from the beginning of the meeting, Hakim jumped up and pointed his finger at Kvari, after which he froze, unable to utter a word. After which Al-Mansouri left the hall.
On the way home, one of the students asked, echoing the roar of the enthusiastic crowd:
- Tell me, teacher, why did you choose to direct paralysis at your opponent, instead of refuting his arguments?
Hakim replied:
- If you have a sword in your hands, why throw clods of dirt at your opponent? Even a monkey won't tease if it can do something more. This man was not looking for the truth, he wanted to defeat me.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru