Akbar was the Moghul king of India from the year 963 A.H. until his demise in 1014 A.H. Initially, he was religiously inclined, but later began to hold corrupt beliefs and ideologies due to which he caused great harm to Islam during the period of his rule.
On one occasion, all the dignitaries, eminent personalities and noble people came to Akbar to pay their respects. Amongst them was an ‘aalim named Moulana ‘Abdun Nabi. When he noticed Akbar wearing clothing of a saffron colour, he immediately reprimanded him and instructed him to change his clothing, as saffron coloured clothing is impermissible for males to wear. However, while reprimanding Akbar, he became so spirited that he even struck Akbar’s clothing with the tip of his staff.
Akbar was extremely upset at the manner in which he had been publicly reprimanded, yet he remained silent. Later, when he entered the women’s quarters of the palace, he went to his mother and related what had happened. His mother, who was from a saintly family, consoled him in the following words, “History will record among your virtues the tolerance which you displayed. History will record that an ‘aalim, who was one of the public, struck the King with his staff in reprimand, yet the King remained silent out of honour and respect for Deen.” (Taareekh-e-Da’wat wa ‘Azeemat vol. 4, pg. 90)
Lessons:
1. When Akbar complained to his mother, she could have influenced him in any way she wished. Had she wished, she could have incited him against the ‘aalim. Instead, on account of her piety, she consoled him and advised him to disregard his own honour so that Islam and Deen may be honoured.
2. If a teacher or ustaaz reprimands our child, instead of regarding the teacher to be our enemy and siding with our child, we should realize that these people are concerned about the improvement of our child. Their reprimand is not one of hatred and enmity, but rather one of well-wishing and love, as they wish the child to attend to his weaknesses and progress in life.