Ibrahim bin Adham was the king of a state

Ibrahim bin Adham was the king of a state. The position took the best of him, and he renounced the throne and took up a job as the keeper of an orchard. Sometime later, the owner of the orchard came on a visit. He ordered a pomegranate to be brought for him. Ibrahim plucked out a rosy fruity pomegranate and placed it before him on a platter. But it turned out to be sour. He ordered for a sweet one to be bought. Ibrahim plucked a still better looking fruit. But even this turned out to be bitter. The owner flew into a furious rage. He shouted, "You have been keeping the orchard for so long. Yet you are so unaware of the fruits. Cannot you still recognize which trees that bear fruits sweeter than the others?" Ibrahim replied coolly, "I am appointed to look after the safety of the orchard. It's not my duty to taste the fruit. I carry out my duty." The owner of the orchard was pleased with the reply. He was too impressed with Ibrahim honesty and ordered an increase in the salary. But Ibrahim left the job. He said to the owner, "I was so far being paid for the work I did. Now on, I will be paid for my honesty. I cannot barter my piety for money."



Moral: Pious people expect a reward only from Allah. They cannot withstand someone fixing a price for their pious deeds.