Once King Akbar was riding his horse in the countryside of Agra, he felt hungry and asked a peasant for some food. The peasant believing him to be an ordinary traveller brought some food and cold water and did his best to make his stay in the house comfortable.

When the mighty Emperor was refreshed and was ready to leave, he told the villager: "My good man, I am the Emperor of India. If you are ever in need of any assistance, please come to my palace in Agra without any hesitation. I am pleased by your hospitality and will be glad to be of help to you in every way I can."

After some time, the villager fell on hard times. Famine had set in his village and food was hard to find. There was no work for the farmers. The villager remembered the words of the Emperor, he decided to go to Agra and asked for an interview with the Great Mughal King Akbar.

He was immediately ushered into the Emperor's private chambers, where he found to his astonishment that the Emperor who had just finished his prayers was supplicating to Allah, and with raised hands was begging from the Almighty Allah numerous favours for himself, his family and his subjects.

Soon, the Emperor finished his prayers and his eyes fell on the villager who was waiting to meet him. He recognised him immediately as the same man who had attended to his needs during his journey to the village. The Emperor greeted him warmly and had him seated by his side, and humbly asked him if there was anything that he could do for him."O' mighty Emperor," said the villager, "will you please tell me what were you doing just now?" "Why certainly" said Akbar, "I was asking from Allah help in solving many difficulties that I face while ruling my great empire, and for His aid in keeping my kingdom in peace."

"Thank you very much O' mighty emperor," said the villager. "Now, I seek your permission to travel back to my village." The emperor was astonished at the reply of the villager. He said, "Why! What's the matter? He exclaimed. "Did you not come here to ask for my help" The villager answered him politely, but in a determined manner.

"O' Emperor, I have learnt a great thing today! I will beg at the same door as the One before which you were begging. For my Lord, though you are the greatest among all the kings of India, I find that you are a poor beggar. And, for me to beg favours from a beggar would bring me disgrace from the Almighty who is the Emperor of all emperors on this earth."

Moral: If you ask in Prayer, ask only from Allah, and if you seek help, seek it only from Allah.