Instructive lessons from Bohlool’s life

Instructive lessons from Bohlool’s life: Bohlool, a Bundle, Barley Bread, and Vinegar. It is said that Bohlool mostly spent his time sitting in a graveyard. One day, as usual, he went there. Haroun passed by, desiring to hunt. When he arrived near Bohlool he asked, “Bohlool, what are you doing?”

“I have come to visit such people who don’t backbite, don’t expect anything from me and don’t cause me pain in any way.”
“Will you tell me something about Qiyamat, Sirat, and the questions and answers about this world?”
“Tell your slaves to kindle a fire and place a flat iron pan over it till it becomes red-hot.
Haroun ordered it and it was done.
“O Haroun! I will stand barefoot on this pan and introduce myself. I will describe whatever I have eaten and worn. After that, you also stand barefoot like I did, introduce yourself, and describe whatever you have eaten and worn.”
Haroun agreed.
Then Bohlool stood on the hot pan and quickly said, “Bohlool, a bundle (of tattered clothes), barley bread and vinegar.” He said this and immediately came off; his feet were not burned at all. When Haroun’s turn came, he couldn’t introduce himself the way he wanted to, his feet got burned, and he fell off.
“O Haroun! Qiyamat’s questions and answers are like this. Those who worship Allah, are content, and stay away from greediness of the world’s rank and dignity will easily pass Sirat, but those who are attached to worldly majesty and splendor will be arrested with troubles.”

Bohlool’s Advice
Bohlool was on his way somewhere when he saw a man crying with his head down, and looking as if he were a stranger. Bohlool went near him, saluted him, and said, “What sort of injustice has occurred upon you that you are so sorrowful and grievous?”
“I am an African foreigner. When I arrived in this city, I decided to bathe and rest for a few days. I had some coins and jewels that I deposited in a perfumer’s shop from fear of thieves. A few days later I asked for my deposit back, but he called me bad names and made it known that I was crazy.”
“Don’t worry. I will go to that perfumery and bring your deposit easily back to you.”
Then he asked who that perfumer was, and when he recognized him, Bohlool said to the foreigner, “I will be found at that perfumer’s tomorrow at such-and-such a time. You come to his shop at the appointed time, but do not talk to me at all, and tell the perfumer to return your deposit.”
The African agreed.
Bohlool immediately went to the perfumer and said, “I plan to go to the city of Khorasan. I have some jewels that equal 30,000 Dinars. I want to deposit them with you so that when I come back safe and alive, I will take those jewels back from you; and if I don’t return by such-and-such a date, then you are free and responsible to sell those jewels and have a mosque made from their money.”
The perfumer became very happy at this and asked, “You are most welcome; when will you bring your deposit?”
Bohlool said, “Tomorrow at such-and-such a time.” Saying this, he went away. Then he had a leather bag made. He filled it up with some iron and glass pieces, then securely sewed its mouth shut.
Then he went to the perfumer’s shop at the appointed time. The perfumer saw the bag and thought it was full of jewels, so he was very happy. The foreigner also arrived exactly then, and asked for his deposit.
The perfumer immediately said to his slave, “In the basement in such-and-such a place is this person’s deposited bag. Immediately bring it and give it to him.”
The servant did so. The foreigner took it and went away, blessing Bohlool with all his heart.

Haroun and a Fraud
It is said that a fraud presented himself to Haroun, pretending to be an African. Haroun asked him about those kingdoms’ harvests, jewels, and works of art that he had visited. They began to talk about India’s harvests, jewels, and inventions. The impostor described in detail such jewels, that, without even seeing them, the Khalifa fell in love with them.
Incidentally he said to the Khalifa, “In India they make such a drug that brings the strength of youth back into a being. Even if a sixty-year-old man eats the pill, he gets the manliness and strength of a twenty-year-old youth.”
The Khalifa became very curious about the drug and jewels that this Negro had described. He said, “How much money should I give you so that you can bring those jewels and that drug that you have just described in detail?”
That deceitful person asked for 50,000 dinars; and then he departed for his homeland.
The Khalifa waited a long, long time but there was no news about that fraud. He was very depressed and whenever he remembered the incident, he was full of regret. One day Jafar Barmaki and others present happened to mention him.
The Khalifa said, “If you ever get hold of that impostor, then I will take back many times more than the amount I gave him, besides that, I will give the order to cut off his head and hang it on the gate of Baghdad so that others may learn a lesson from this incident.”
Bohlool gave a loud laugh and said, “O Haroun! Yours and that fraud’s story is exactly like the tale of the rooster, the old woman and the fox.”
“Tell me whatever the story of the rooster, the old woman, and the fox is.”
“It is said that a wild cat snatched an old woman’s rooster. That old woman kept running behind the cat, screaming, ‘Come and help me! The cat is taking my one ton- pound rooster!’
“The cat got worried and said, ‘O woman! Why did you lie, this rooster isn’t as heavy as you said.’
“Coincidentally, a fox appeared. It said to the cat, ‘Why are you worried and distressed?’
“The cat narrated what had occurred.
“The fox said, ‘Put the rooster on the ground so that I can tell you its weight.’
“As soon as the cat put the rooster on the ground, the fox picked it up, and, while running, said, ‘Tell the old woman that my feet say this rooster weighs more than a ton.’”
Haroun Rashid laughed a lot at Bohlool’s story and praised him.

Haroun Rashid and a Hunter
The Khalifa was playing chess with his wife Zubaydah one Eid day. Bohlool came near them, sat down, and watched the game. A hunter saluted them by kissing the floor. He had brought the Khalifa a very good and fat fish.
Haroun happened to be drunk at that time. He gave the order to give the hunter 4,000 dirhams as reward. Zubaydah criticized Haroun, “This amount is a lot for the hunter because everyday you have to give rewards in the forts and cities; and when you give them less than this amount they will say that they are not equal to a hunter; and if you give them more, the government treasury will be empty in a few days.”
Haroun liked Zubaydah’s thought, so he asked “Now what do I do?”
“Call the hunter and ask him if the fish is a male or female. If he says it is female, say you don’t like it; if he says it is male, again say you don’t like it. Helpless, he will go; take his fish and reward away.”
Bohlool said to Haroun, “Don’t be deceived by a woman. Don’t depress the hunter.”
But Haroun didn’t listen. He called the hunter and asked, “Is the fish male or female?” The hunter kissed the floor and said, “This fish is neither male nor female, actually, it is an eunuch.”
Haroun was happy with his answer. He gave the order to give him 4,000 dirhams more as reward. The hunter took them and put them in his purse. But when he was descending the palace stairs, one of the dirhams fell out on the floor; the hunter bent and picked it up. Zubaydah said to Haroun, “How low-natured is this person that he can’t even part with one dirham.”
Haroun thought this behavior was bad, so he called him. Again Bohlool said, “Don’t stop him.”
But Haroun didn’t agree. He called the hunter and said, “How low and base is your heart that you are not ready to let the slaves have one dirham from such an amount.”
The hunter saluted again and said, “I am not base, but know how to value grace. That is why I picked up the dirham. On one side is a Quranic verse and on the other side the Khalifa’s honorable and illustrious name is engraved. If it is left on the ground, then it is certain that it will come underfoot, and this is disrespectful.”
The Khalifa again became very happy and gave the order to give the hunter another 4,000 dirhams as reward.
Bohlool said, “Didn’t I say don’t stop him?”
Haroun said, “I am crazier than you because you stopped me three times, but I did not listen to you. By following this woman, I suffered this loss.”

Haroun Rashid’s Question About Ameen and Mamoon
One day Bohlool was going to Haroun’s palace, but they coincidentally met each other. Haroun asked, “Bohlool, where are you going?”
“I was going towards you.”
Haroun said, “I want to go to school so I can closely observe Ameen and Mamoon. If you want, you can also come with me.”
Bohlool agreed and went to school with Haroun, but at that time Ameen and Mamoon had gone outside with the teacher’s permission.
Haroun asked particular questions about Ameen and Mamoon. The teacher said, “Ameen is the son of the chief of Arab women, Zubaydah, but he is very foolish and stupid. Contrarily, Mamoon is very understanding, intelligent, and full of dignity.”
Haroun said, “I don’t believe you.”
The teacher put a piece of paper under the sheet of the place where Mamoon sat and a brick under Ameen’s seat. A few moments later Mamoon and Ameen entered. As soon as they saw their father, they paid their respects and sat down at their places. Mamoon worriedly glanced at the ceiling, and looked to his right and left.
The teacher asked him, “What has happened to you that you are so worried?”
Mamoon answered, “From the time I left school till when I returned, either the floor got one (width of a) paper higher, or the ceiling got that much lower. Briefly, my seat is a piece of paper higher.”
Then the teacher asked Ameen, “Do you feel like that too?”
Ameen answered, “I don’t feel anything at all.”
The teacher laughed, and sent the two outside again. After they left, he said to Haroun, “Thanks be to Allah that I proved my statement in front of you.”
The Khalifa said, “At least tell the reason why.”
Bohlool said, “If I get assurance of my life, I will narrate the reason.”
“I assure you. Tell whatever you know.”
Bohlool said, “There are two reasons why children are bright and intelligent. The first reason is that when a man and a woman meet with mutual love, then their child is clever, bright, and intelligent. The second reason is that when a man and a woman keep connections with (people of) different blood and race, then their child becomes wise, intelligent, and keen. This is exactly what has been experienced in the case of trees and animals; if a fruit tree is grafted with another fruit-bearing tree, then their offspring will be very delicious and refined. Also, if two animals; for example, a donkey and a horse, are bred together, then they have a mule, which is very strong, sharp, and smart.
Therefore, the lack of understanding in Ameen is because the Khalifa and Zubaydah are of one blood and lineage; but Mamoon is very bright and intelligent because his mother is of a different blood and family; and in this respect, very different from the Khalifa.”
The Khalifa laughed at Bohlool’s answer and said, “You can’t expect more than this from a lunatic.”
But the teacher believed Bohlool with all his heart.

Bohlool’s Conversation with Abu Hanifa
One day Abu Hanifa was teaching at the college. Bohlool was sitting in a corner, listening to Abu Hanifa’s lesson. In the middle of his lesson, Abu Hanifa said that, “Imam Jafar Sadiq says three things that I don’t agree with. These are: Firstly, he says Shaitan will be punished in the Hell-fire. Since Shaitan is made of fire, then how is it possible that fire can hurt him? One kind of thing can’t get hurt from the same kind of thing. Secondly, he says that we can’t see Allah; but something that is present must also be able to be seen. Therefore, Allah can be seen by our eyes. Thirdly, he says that whoever does something is himself responsible for it; and will be questioned about it because he did it himself; but evidence is against this. Meaning, whatever a person does is done by Allah and the person has no control over what he does.”
As soon as Abu Hanifa said this, Bohlool picked up a clod of earth and threw it at him. It hit his forehead and gave him severe pain. Then Bohlool ran away. Abu Hanifa’s students ran after Bohlool and caught him. Since Bohlool was related to the Khalifa, they took him to the Khalifa and narrated the whole incident.
Bohlool said, “Call Abu Hanifa so that I can give him my answer.”
Abu Hanifa was called and Bohlool said to him, “What wrong have I done to you?”
“You hit my forehead with a clod of earth. My forehead and head are in severe pain.”
“Can you show me your pain?”
“Can pain be seen?”
Bohlool replied, “You yourself say that every present thing can be seen and you criticize Imam Jafar Sadiq by saying how is it possible that Allah is present, but invisible. Secondly, you wrongly claim that the clod of earth pains your head; because the clod of earth is made of mud and you were also created from mud. Then how can one kind of thing hurt the same type of substance? Thirdly, you yourself said that all acts are done by Allah. Then how can you say that I am guilty, present me to the Khalifa, complain about me, and demand punishment for me!”
Abu Hanifa listened to Bohlool’s intelligent answers and shamefully left Haroun’s court.

Haroun Rashid’s Questions and Bohlool’s Answers
Haroun Rashid was returning from his journey to Hajj, and Bohlool was waiting for him on the side of the road. As soon as he saw Haroun, he loudly said three times, “Haroun! Haroun! Haroun!”
The Khalifa asked, “Who is this caller?”
The people said, “It is Bohlool.”
Haroun called Bohlool. When he came near him, the Khalifa asked, “Who am I?”
“You are that person who is responsible when other people oppress a weak person.”
Haroun started crying at this and said, “You spoke truly. Now request something form me.”
“My request is that you forgive my sins and permit me into Heaven.”
“This is beyond my control; on the other hand, I can pay your debts.”
“A debt can’t be fulfilled by another debt; because you yourself are indebted to the public. Thus, return to the public their wealth. It is not decent or elegant of you to give me the wealth of others.”
The Khalifa then said, “I give the order to grant you some assets, which will be guarded, as the means of your livelihood so you can pass your life with comfort and ease.”
“We are all servants of Allah and receive salary from Him; is it possible that He may give you subsistence and forget about me?”

Haroun Rashid Gives Bohlool A Reward
One day Haroun Rashid gave the order to give Bohlool a reward. When it was given, Bohlool didn’t take it and returned it. He said, “Give this money to the people whom you took it from. If you don’t return it to their owners, then there will certainly come a day when the Khalifa will be demanded to repay his debt. That day the Khalifa will be empty-handed, and, besides being shameful and regretful, there will be nothing.”
Haroun Rashid trembled from listening to Bohlool, started crying, and affirmed Bohlool’s statement.
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The Effect of Bohlool’s Du’a
It is said that an Arab had a camel which was afflicted by the itching disease. People advised him to rub castor oil on it. The Arab rode his camel to the city to buy the oil. Near the city, he met Bohlool. Since Bohlool was his friend, he said to him, “My camel has the itching disease. People told me that by rubbing castor oil on it, it will be cured. But I believe that your personality has more influence and is better. Please be compassionate and pray for my camel and bless it, so that it can cured of this sickness.”
Bohlool said, “If you buy the castor oil, and along with it include my prayer, then it is certain that your camel will quickly become healthy, but alone the prayer has no effect.”
The Arab bought the oil. Bohlool prayed for and blessed the camel. After a few days of massaging with oil, the camel became healthy.

Bohlool Criticizes Abdullah Mubarak
One day Abdullah Mubarak went to the desert to see Bohlool the Wise. He saw Bohlool bareheaded, barefoot, and reciting Allah’s Name. He went up to him and saluted him. Bohlool answered the greeting.
Abdullah Mubarak said, “O Shaykh! My request is that you advise me and tell me how to pass a life in this world, so that I stay away from sins because I am a sinful being and I can’t overcome my evil self-will. Tell me some way by which to acquire relief.”
“O Abdullah! I myself am worried and distressed. What do you expect from me. If I had a brain, people wouldn’t call me crazy. What effect can the speeches of lunatics have that people would accept, so go and look for some intelligent person.”
“O Shaykh! Those who say they are crazy are just fooling others. They are intelligent, and it is the truth that is heard from the lunatic.”
Bohlool was silent. Abdullah again began flattering him and said, “O Shaykh! Don’t disappoint me; I came with expectations.”
“O Abdullah! First agree to my four conditions, so that you don’t go back on your words at the statement of a lunatic. Then I will criticize you and will tell you such things that will be the means of your salvation.”
“What are these four conditions; tell me so I can agree.”
“Firstly, whenever you commit a sin or go against Allah’s command, then don’t eat of His sustenance.”
“Then whose sustenance shall I eat of?”
“Being an intelligent person, you claim that you worship Allah and eat out of His sustenance, and then you disobey His command. You yourself judge, is this the way to repay beneficence?”
Abdullah said, “You spoke true, what is the second condition?”
“Secondly, whenever you want to sin, do not intend to stay in His Kingdom.”
“This is more difficult than the first, because every place is Allah’s land and kingdom so then where will I go?”
“It is a very evil thing that you eat out of His sustenance, live in His Kingdom and then disobey His command. Yourself judge, is this the condition of beneficence?”
“What is the third condition?”
“Thirdly, when you want to sin or disobey His command, then go hide in such a place where He can’t see or be aware of you. Then do whatever you want.”
“This is the most difficult. Allah knows and sees all. He is present everywhere. He sees and knows all that His creations do.”
“You are an intelligent being. You should know that He is present everywhere, the All-Knowing and All-Seeing. In this sense, it would be very evil of you to eat of His sustenance, stay in His Kingdom, and then disobey Him in His All-Knowing, All-Seeing presence. Even then you claim to worship Him; although He says in the Holy Qur’an, ‘Do not think that Allah is unaware of the act of the oppressor.’”
Abdullah said, “You spoke true. What is the fourth condition?”
“The fourth condition is that when the Angel of Death suddenly comes to you to obey Allah’s order and seize your soul, then at that time say, ‘Wait a little while so I can say good-bye to my relatives, get their farewell, and take provisions for my last journey; then seize my soul.’”
“This is the most difficult condition. At that time the Angel of Death will not even give me time to breathe.”
“O intelligent human! You know that there is no cure for death. You can’t make it go away from you, and the Angel of Death doesn’t give time when on the verge of death. While committing sins, the Angel of Death suddenly and surprisingly comes, sparing no time for even breathing. As Allah says, ‘When the time of their death comes, they can’t hurry a bit or delay.’ So then Abdullah! Hear the truth from a lunatic and awaken from the sleep of unawareness.
“Beware of arrogance and intoxication, and worry about the Hereafter because a long journey waits and life is short. Don’t postpone today’s work until tomorrow, maybe tomorrow will not come for you. Know that this is the most valuable time. Don’t be lazy in doing work for the Hereafter. Make provision for the Hereafter today because regretting there tomorrow has no benefit.”
When Abdullah heard these words he bowed his head and began to think.
Bohlool again said, “O Abdullah! You wanted advice from me that would prove useful tomorrow and wanted me to present an example and proof. Why have you bowed your head? What answer will you give on the Day of Judgment when dangerous and strong angels inquire during your reckoning. Today whomever’s account is pure will have no fear tomorrow.”
Finally Abdullah raised his head and said, “O Shaykh! I whole-heartedly listened to your advice. I also accept this fourth condition. Say something else and make me your student.”
“O Abdullah! It is incumbent upon the servant that whatever he does is by Allah’s order and whatever he says or hears is according to His order, then the servant is a servant.”
Intelligent and wise Bohlool that is called crazy and insane by people was benefited by the companionship of Imam Jafar Sadiq.

Bohlool Meets Shaykh Junayd
Shaykh Junayd Baghdadi went for a walk out of Baghdad. His students followed him. The Shaykh asked how Bohlool was. They answered, “He is a crazy person, what do you need from him?”
“Bring him to me because I have a need for him.”
The students searched for Bohlool and found him in the desert. They took Shaykh Junayd to him.
When Shaykh Junayd went near Bohlool, he saw Bohlool in a state of perturbation with a brick under his head. The Shaykh greeted him. Bohlool answered and asked, “Who are you?”
“I am Junayd Baghdadi.”
“Are you Abul Qasim?”
“Yes!”
“Are you Shaykh Baghdadi who gives people spiritual instructions?”
“Yes!”
“Do you even know how to eat?”
“I say Bismillah (In the Name of Allah). I eat from in front of me, I take small bites, put them in the right side of my mouth, and slowly chew. I don’t stare at others’ bites. I remember Allah while eating. For whatever morsel I eat, I say Alhamdolillah (Praise be to Allah). I wash my hands before and after eating.”
Bohlool stood up, shook his garment on the Shaykh, and said, “You want to be the spiritual teacher of the world but you don’t even know how to eat.” Saying this, he walked away.
The Shaykh’s students said, “O Shaykh! He is a crazy person.”
“He is such a lunatic who is intelligent in his work. Listen to the correct statements from him.”
Saying this he went after Bohlool, saying, “I have a need for Bohlool.”
When Bohlool reached a deserted building he sat down. Junayd came near him. Bohlool asked, “Who are you?”
“Shaykh Baghdadi who doesn’t even know how to eat.”
“You don’t know how to eat, but do you know how to talk?”
“Yes.”
“How do you talk?”
“I talk in moderation and to the point. I don’t speak unoccasionally or too much. I speak so the listeners can understand. I call the world’s people towards Allah and the Prophet. I don’t talk so much that the people would get bored. I care about the deepness of inner and outer knowledge.” Then he described whatever was connected with manners and etiquette.
“Forget about eating, you don’t know how to talk either.” He stood up, shook his garment on the Shaykh and walked away.
The students said, “O Shaykh! You saw, he is a crazy person. What do you expect from a lunatic!”
“I have a need for him. You do not know.”
Again he went after Bohlool until he reached him. Bohlool asked, “What do you want from me? You who don’t know the manners of eating and speaking, do you know how to sleep?”
“Yes, I know.”
“How do you sleep?”
“When I am finished with Namaz-e-Isha and reciting supplications, I don my sleepwear.” Then he described the manners of sleeping which were transmitted to him by the learned people of religion.
“I understand that you do not know how to sleep either.” He wanted to get up, but Junayd caught hold of his garment and said, “O Bohlool! I don’t know; so for the sake of Allah teach me.”
“You claimed knowledge and said you knew so I was avoiding you. Now that you confessed your lack of knowledge I will teach you. Know that whatever you described is secondary. The truth behind eating meals is that you eat lawful morsels. If you eat forbidden food likewise, with one hundred manners, it won’t benefit you, but will be the reason for blackening the heart.”
“May Allah grant you great reward.”
Bohlool continued, “The heart must be pure, and have good intentions before you begin to talk. And your conversation must be to please Allah. If it is for any worldly or useless work, then however you express yourself, it will become a calamity for you. That is why silence and quietude would be best. Whatever you said about sleeping is also of secondary importance.
“The truth of it is that your heart should be free of enmity, jealousy, and hate. Your heart should not be greedy for this world or its wealth, and remember Allah when going to sleep.”
Junayd kissed Bohlool’s hand and prayed for him. The students who saw this incident, and had thought that Bohlool was crazy, forgot their actions and started a new life.
The lesson is that if someone doesn’t know something, then he shouldn’t be ashamed of learning it; like Shaykh Junayd learned the ways and manners of eating, talking, and sleeping.

Bohlool and Haroun Rashid Go to the Public Bath
One day Haroun Rashid went to the hot bath with Bohlool. The Khalifa jokingly asked, “If I am a slave then what would be my cost?”
Bohlool said, “Fifty dinars.”
The Khalifa angrily said, “Lunatic! The low skirt that I am wearing is just fifty dinars.”
“I only gave the cost of the skirt because the Khalifa has no value.”

Bohlool and a Judge
It is said that a certain man decided to do Hajj. Since he had little children, he went to the judge and, in front of the court officials, gave 1,000 Dinars to the judge for his children. He said, “If I die during this journey, then you are my successor. What you yourself want, give to my children, and if I safely return, then I will take back this deposit.”
He departed from the judge’s office for Hajj; Allah willed for him to die on the way. When his sons became of age and understanding, they asked for their deposit which was trusted with the judge.
The judge said, “Your father willed in front of the people that I give to you whatever I wanted. In this respect, I can give you only 100 Dinars.”
They started yelling and screaming. The judge called the witnesses and asked, “Do you people testify that that day these children’s father gave me 1,000 Dinars and said, ‘If I die on the way, then give my sons whatever you want.’”
All the people testified that yes, he said this.
Therefore the judge said, “Now I won’t give you more than 100 dinars.”
Those poor sons were perturbed and asked everyone for help. The people couldn’t change this lawful trick. Gradually, Bohlool heard about it. He took the children with him to the judge and said, “Why don’t you give these orphans their right?”
The judge said, “Their father willed that I give them whatever I wish, and I won’t give them more than 100 dinars.”
“O Judge! What you want is 900 dinars, and according to your words, that deceased willed that whatever you yourself want, give to my sons; therefore, give that late person’s children the 900 dinars that you yourself want. That is their right.”
The judge became helpless at Bohlool’s answer and was compelled to give the orphans the 900 dinars.

What are Practical Methods for Raising Upright Children?