Download PDF: [S] He Disguised himself as a Dervish (Islamic story)

It is mentioned that one day, Sultan Aurangzeb Alamgheer decided to reward people in his court. At that moment, an actor appeared in front of him. Obviously, the Sultan immediately recognized who he was. He said to the actor that if he is able to disguise himself in such a manner that even he, the King, is unable to recognize him, then only he will receive a reward.

 

The person then left the court. At different occasions, he appeared in front of the King, but in every instance, the King was able to recognize him. He also came to know that very soon the King would leave for a certain expedition and then decided to hide himself in one the roads on which the King would travel. In fact, he adopted the guise of a dervish and also wore the same plain and simple clothing.

 

Suddenly, news spread around the locality that a very respected dervish had arrived in town. In fact, people even queued to meet this dervish. When Sultan Alamgheer reached a certain area in his travel, he asked his advisers whether there were any dervishes in this area which he could meet. His advisers informed him that there was a very famous dervish in this locality. The Sultan then said that they should certainly meet this person. They also took some money with them with the intention of rewarding this dervish.

 

When the sultan met this dervish, he asked him a few questions and was satisfied with the answers given. In fact, these actors are able to study different faculties so that they appear as well-learned people.

 

After speaking to this dervish, the Sultan indicated to his adviser to hand over the money to this dervish. However, the dervish refused to accept anything.

 

Obviously, when the Sultan saw this, he was even more impressed by this dervish. In fact, he was convinced that this person was a real dervish.

 

As the Sultan left this place, this actor also began to follow him a few paces behind. When the Sultan reached the palace, this person also came forward and greeted the King. When the Sultan looked at him carefully, he realised who this person was. He then accepted the fact that this person was indeed a professional actor. He then handed him a small amount of reward as he had given others on that day. The King then asked him, “On the day in which we had met, I had given you an even larger amount of money, why did you not take it?”

 

He replied that whatever he received from the King was enough for him. “As for that day, it was totally against the disguise which I had adopted as a dervish. In fact, a disguise is only as good as the original. At the same time, if I had taken the money, you would have lost respect for me because this is not the habit of a true dervish.”

 

When the Sultan heard these words, he was very pleased with this person’s professional attitude and gave him double the reward. (Al Afadaat Al Youmiyah)