This is the 25th article in a special series by Ally Adnan that brings to life memorable incidents from the rich and fascinating life of Hazrat Amir Khusrau, whose timeless legacy continues to inspire the world.
One hot summer day, Amir Khusrau was returning to the city from a neighboring village when he became extremely thirsty.
Parched and fatigued, he sat down on the ground.
A poor mashki (water carrier) noticed Khusrau’s condition and offered him water from his mashk (leather water bag). Khusrau gratefully accepted the favour, drank the water and offered the poor man a reward. The mashki, however, refused to accept anything in return for his gesture; he had been motivated by genuine kindness rather than a desire for compensation.
Khusrau was deeply moved by the selfless act of generosity, which resonated with him more profoundly than the grand gestures of imperial largesse to which he was accustomed. The incident stayed with him for days and inspired him to compose a beautiful Persian couplet reflecting his thoughts. It read, “If a king gives gold, it is out of vanity, pride and arrogance; better is the pauper who gives even a single drop of water from the heart.”
The story affirms the superiority of spiritual to material wealth and the greater value of sincere and heartfelt acts over grand displays of power. It is an important part of Chishti Sufi lore and has been recounted in Sufi circles for hundreds of years.
The writer is based in Dallas, Texas and writes about culture, history and the arts. He tweets @allyadnanjanjua and can be reached at [email protected]