Disagreement Over Delicacies

As a ruler and his wife were seated for dinner, they argued over which of two kinds of sweets was better and more delicious. On the same day, a famous judge came to meet the ruler, and he invited him immediately to join them in their meal. When the judge arrived, the ruler informed him about the difference of opinion between himself and his wife over the two kinds of sweets. He demanded of the judge to rule between them, and the judge playfully said, "I cannot rule over that which is absent!" so the servants hurried to present before him the two different kinds of sweets.

The judge extended his hand and ate from the sweet that the ruler loved more, and then he said, "A beautiful and delicious kind of sweet, and all praise is for Allah, Who has made it sweet." Then he went to the other sweet, which the wife of the ruler loved more. He began to eat from it and he said, "A beautiful and delicious kind of sweet, and all praise is for Allah, Who has blessed us to taste it." He continued to eat, from one kind and then from the other, until he could eat no more.

All the while the ruler and his wife were looking at him. When the judge finally finished after what seemed to be an endless amount of time, the ruler asked him which was better and more delicious. He said, "O ruler! I have not seen anyone more eloquent in arguing a case than these two. Each time I intended to rule for one of them, the other came forth with his proofs and arguments." All those who were present laughed and the disagreement came to an end.