{"id":4823,"date":"2021-06-12T07:42:04","date_gmt":"2021-06-12T06:42:04","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2021-06-12T07:42:04","modified_gmt":"2021-06-12T06:42:04","slug":"the-sagacity-of-bohlool","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shiastudies.com\/en\/4823\/the-sagacity-of-bohlool\/","title":{"rendered":"The Sagacity of Bohlool"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Sagacity of Bohlool<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bohlool Instructs a Friend<\/strong>
\nIt is said that a person brought a beautiful donkey for the commander of Kufa. The courtiers praised the donkey. Among those present, someone jokingly said, “I am ready to teach that donkey how to read.”
\nHearing this, the commander said, “You who are saying this right now should fulfill it. When you have taught it how to read, I will give you a heavy reward, and if you can\u2019t fulfill this, I will give the order to have you killed.”
\nThe man regretted his joke. Helplessly, he asked for some time. The commander gave him ten days.
\nThe man took the donkey home. He was very perturbed and worried. He didn\u2019t know what to do. Helpless, he left the donkey at home and went to the market. On the way he met Bohlool. Since they were already acquainted, he asked for help and told Bohlool about the commander\u2019s gathering and the donkey.
\nBohlool said, “The work is under my control, whatever I tell you, do it.”
\nSo, Bohlool ordered not to give the donkey hay or grain all day; and to place a day\u2019s livelihood between the pages of a book. “Put the book in front of it and flip the pages. Since it will be hungry, the donkey will pick up whatever is between the pages. Keep repeating this action. Then keep him hungry on the tenth day, and when arriving at the commander\u2019s gathering, take the same book along with the donkey to the commander. That day don\u2019t put barley between the pages, and place the book in front of the donkey in the commander\u2019s presence.”
\nThe man did exactly what Bohlool had instructed him to do.
\nWhen the appointed day came, he took the donkey and the book to the commander; and in the presence of others, he placed the book before the donkey. It was very hungry and like everyday, as usual, flipped all the pages of the book looking for the barley which was always there, between the pages. It brayed to tell that it was hungry. The commander and those present did not know what kind of intelligence was behind this action. They believed that the donkey truly wanted to read the book. Everyone was astonished at this. Finally, the commander fulfilled his promise by giving the man a very good reward. This is how he was saved from punishment.<\/p>\n

Bohlool and the Astrologer<\/strong>
\nIt is said that a person came to Haroun Rashid, claiming knowledge of astrology. Bohlool was also present at this assembly. Coincidentally, the astrologer sat across Bohlool.
\nBohlool asked him, “Can you tell who is sitting near you?”
\n“I don\u2019t know.”
\n“You don\u2019t even know who is sitting across you, then how can you tell about the stars of the sky?”
\nThe man was left speechless at Bohlool\u2019s statement, and left the assembly.<\/p>\n

Bohlool and a Charlatan<\/strong>
\nThey say that Bohlool had a gold coin in his hand, and was playing with it. A fraud who had heard that Bohlool was insane, came to him and said, “If you give me that coin, I will give you ten coins that color.”
\nWhen Bohlool saw his coins, he understood that they were copper, and said, “I agree on one condition, which is that you bray like an ass, Hee Haw, Hee Haw.”
\nThe fraud agreed, and brayed like a donkey.
\nBohlool said to him, “You are a strange ass that even after this foolishness- you know that the coin in my hand is gold- you think that I don\u2019t know that your coins are copper.”
\nAs soon as he heard this, he ran away from Bohlool.<\/p>\n

Bohlool is Questioned About Hazrat Lut<\/strong>
\nPeople asked Bohlool, “Which nation was Hazrat Lut from?”
\n“It is clear from his name that he was the messenger for corrupt and voluptuous people (Luters).”
\nThe people said, “Why do you show such rudeness to the dignity of Allah\u2019s Messenger?”
\nBohlool answered, “I was not being rude towards the dignity of the Prophet, I was speaking rudely about the nation, and I am not saying wrongly.”<\/p>\n

Bohlool is Questioned About Shaitan<\/strong>
\nThey say that an evil and unmannerly person said to Bohlool, “I have a great desire to see Shaitan.”
\nBohlool said, “If you don\u2019t have a mirror in your house, then look in clean water. You will see Shaitan.”<\/p>\n

Bohlool and a Slave<\/strong>
\nIt is said that one of Haroun Rashid\u2019s slaves ate cheese, and a little cheese was stuck to his beard. Bohlool asked him, “What did you eat?”
\nThe slave jokingly said, “I ate a pigeon.”
\n“I knew before you said so.”
\n“How did you know?”
\nBohlool said, “I can see bird droppings on your beard.”<\/p>\n

Bohlool and Haroun Go Hunting<\/strong>
\nOne day Haroun Rashid and a group of his courtiers went hunting. Bohlool was also with them. A deer was seen in the hunting area. The Khalifa shot an arrow at it, but it didn\u2019t hit the deer.
\nBohlool said, “Well done!”
\nThe Khalifa angrily said, “You ridicule me!”
\nBohlool replied, “I praised the deer that it was well-saved.”<\/p>\n

Bohlool and a Landlord<\/strong>
\nThey say that one time Bohlool went to Basra. Since he had no acquaintances in this city, he rented a room for a few days. That room was so old and damaged that it started creaking at the slightest breeze.
\nBohlool went to the landlord and said, “The room you gave me is very dangerous because its ceiling and walls start creaking at the slightest breeze.”
\nThe landlord liked joking. He said, “There\u2019s nothing wrong. You know that all creations timely praise Allah and recite Tasbeeh. This is the room\u2019s praise and Tasbeeh.”
\nBohlool replied, “That is true, but after praising and glorifying Allah, the creations lastly do Sajdah. That is why, from fear of this room\u2019s prostration, I want to leave as soon as I can.”<\/p>\n

Bohlool and a Book of Philosophy<\/strong>
\nBohlool went to the Mosque one day. Since that day was Eid, there were a lot of people. Bohlool wanted to go sit in the upper room. He saw that there were a lot of shoes, and since his shoes were stolen once, he was scared that it might happen again. With this thought, he wrapped them up in his handkerchief and hid them in his clothes. When he got to the upper room, and had sat in a corner, a person sitting next to him saw a bulging, wrapped handkerchief under Bohlool\u2019s shoulder, so asked about it.
\n“I think that there is a valuable book under your shoulder. Can you tell me which book it is?”
\nBohlool said, “It is a book of philosophy.”
\n“Which bookseller did you buy it from?”
\n“I bought it from a cobbler.”<\/p>\n

Bohlool and an Inspector<\/strong>
\nA Baghdadi inspector was boasting in a crowd that no one had ever cheated him yet. Bohlool was also in this crowd. He said to the inspector that his work is very easy and not worthy of taking pains over.
\nThe inspector said, “You are saying so because you can\u2019t do this job.”
\nBohlool said, “Regretfully, I have to do a very important job right now, or I would deceive you.”
\n“I am here. You go and immediately do your work, and then come back.”
\n“Okay. Wait for me here. I will immediately return.”
\nSo, Bohlool went away, but did not return. After two hours, the inspector began to rave. He said, “This is the first time! A lunatic has given me this kind of deceit. He kept me useless for these hours unnecessarily.”<\/p>\n

Bohlool\u2019s Decision<\/strong>
\nAn Arab beggar arrived in Baghdad. When he passed the bakery, he smelled the pleasing smells of many kinds of foods, but he didn\u2019t have any money. He took stale bread out of his bag and softened it with the steam coming out, and then ate it.
\nThe baker astonishingly watched this for a few moments. When his bread finished, the beggar wanted to leave. The baker stopped him and demanded money. They exchanged hot words. Coincidentally, Bohlool passed by. The Arab wanted Bohlool\u2019s decision.
\nBohlool said to the baker, “Did this person eat your food or not?”
\n“He didn\u2019t eat the food, but certainly benefited from its steam.”
\nBohlool said to him, “This is correct. Listen!” He took a few coins out of his pocket, and one by one showed them to the baker, dropped them on the ground, and then picked them up. He said to the baker, “Take the noise of these coins.”
\nExtremely surprised, the baker asked, “What kind of way is this to give money?”
\nBohlool replied, “According to my just decision, the person that sells smells and steam should, in exchange, get the noise and tinkling of coins.”<\/p>\n

Bohlool and a Traveler<\/strong>
\nIt is said that a traveler came to Baghdad and Haroun Rashid\u2019s court. He asked a few questions before the Khalifa to his viziers and wise men, but no one could answer correctly.
\nThe Khalifa got angry and said to his scholarly courtiers and viziers, “If you people can\u2019t answer this person\u2019s questions, then I will give your entire wealth to him.”
\nThose present wanted 24 hours time, which the Khalifa gave. One of them said, “I think that we should seek out Bohlool. No one except he can give correct answers to this foreigner.”
\nSo, they went to look for Bohlool and told him the whole story when they found him. Bohlool agreed to answer the foreigner\u2019s questions the next day. He addressed him, “Ask whatever you want. I am ready to answer.”
\nThe man sketched a circle with his cane and looked at Bohlool.
\nUnhesitatingly, Bohlool drew a line in the middle of the circle, cutting it in half.
\nThe traveler made another circle. This time Bohlool divided it into four equal parts, and pointing one out, he said to the man, “This one part is land, the other three are water.”
\nThe traveler knew that Bohlool understood him and had given him correct answers. He praised Bohlool before the scholars, Khalifa, and all those present. Then he put the back of his hand on the floor and pointed his fingers toward the sky.
\nBohlool did the opposite; he put his fingers facing the ground with the back of the hand upwards. The traveler praised him a lot, saying to the Khalifa, “You should be proud of keeping such an intelligent scholar.”
\nThe Khalifa said, “I don\u2019t understand these questions and answers.”
\nThe traveler explained, “I drew a circle. My purpose was to show the earth\u2019s being round. He understood and cut it into two pieces. He wanted to show me that he believed the earth was round, and that he knew its signs. He drew that line, making two equal pieces to show North and South. The second time I drew a circle, he divided it into four parts to show me that the earth has four parts. One part is land, while the other three are water. The third time when I put my palm and fingers facing upwards, my purpose was to show the growing plants and the secrets of their development. Bohlool also pointed his hand out as rain and the sun\u2019s rays and explained that the growth of vegetation is because of rain and sunlight. Therefore, you should be proud of such an intelligent person.”
\nThe scholars and viziers were saved form Haroun Rashid\u2019s anger by Bohlool\u2019s ready, witty replies. They thanked Allah and Bohlool very much.<\/p>\n

Bohlool\u2019s Decisive and Silencing Reply<\/strong>
\nIt is said that an Indian businessman was bringing wealth and goods from India and selling in Baghdad. His caravan stayed at the inn one night and he asked for dinner. The cook brought him a roasted chicken and a few eggs. When the businessman woke up, the caravan had departed. The cook had gone out of the inn on some errand. The businessman kept calling him, but the cook was not present to give the dinner bill. Since the caravan had left, the businessman could not repay the cost. Coincidentally, a year later the same caravan passed by the inn. The same person again asked for dinner. Like the previous year, the cook brought a roasted chicken and a few eggs. When morning came, he called the cook and said, “Since last year I am indebted to you for a chicken and some eggs. Tomorrow bill me for last year along with last night\u2019s dinner so I can pay you.”
\nThe cook carefully calculated for some minutes and then demanded 1,000 dinars from the businessman, saying that he had been very generous in his calculations and there were no mistakes that would make him indebted. When the businessman heard that the cost of the two meals was 1,000 dinars he got furious and said, “I think that you are crazy that you demand 1,000 dinars for two chickens and a few eggs.”
\nThe cook replied, “This statement is beyond the justice of the reason I applied and didn\u2019t want to exceed the limits in your right. You call me insane.”
\n“I am thankful to you but tell me what costs 1,000 dinars and why do I owe this amount?”
\n“Think carefully for a moment. If I would have said it without calculating, then you are right. The cost I am demanding is in respect of last year when you ate a chicken and six eggs here. If this chicken had been alive, then I would have put those eggs under it; they would have hatched and chicks would have come out. Then each of these would have had the same number of eggs and these eggs would hatch chicks also; therefore, by now I would own thousands of chickens and eggs. For this reason, I have given up all this profit just to fill your stomach. Now from this entire account and last night\u2019s meal the total I demand is 1,000 dinars and you call me crazy.”
\nThe quarrel between the cook and the businessman soon drew the attention of all the caravan travelers. Every minute they tried to settle the dispute, but it was impossible. At last it was decided to appeal to the dignitary of the place for justice.
\nWhen the chief came and was told the case, he decided in the cook\u2019s favor and said to the businessman, “You must give the cook 1,000 dinars.
\nThe poor businessman was very perturbed and worried. He didn\u2019t know what to do. Among the travelers was a person who was friends with Bohlool. He knew that only Bohlool could solve this problem. He addressed the travelers, “There is not a lot of distance between here and Baghdad. I\u2019ll go and bring Baghdad\u2019s judge so that whatever decision he makes will be acted upon.”
\nEveryone agreed and that person rode a fast, speedy mule in search of Bohlool. He found him in a mosque and narrated the whole story.
\nBohlool rode toward the caravan inn with the man. When they reached near the inn, Bohlool got down and said to him, “Quickly go to the people that are waiting and tell them to wait half an hour more. The judge promises that he is coming.”
\nThe man did so. Everyone started counting the minutes. The judge did not come half an hour later. They again waited. One-and-a-half hours later Bohlool\u2019s cap was seen. When he came near the people, everyone got up from their seats out of respect to the judge. Then Bohlool sat on the floor and got acquainted with everyone.
\nHe said, “I have heard about the cook\u2019s and the businessman\u2019s dispute. I apologize to you that my said half hour became one-and-a-half hours, but my delay was correct in this respect that besides being a judge, I also know farming at the same time. When I was coming here to do justice, a farmer came for some grains of wheat. I have heard that if the wheat grain is boiled first, then its growth is very good. That is why, in the extra time I took, I was busy boiling wheat. I apologize to you in this regard.”
\nThe chief and the others said, “What a strange, crazy judge that boils wheat grains!”
\nBohlool replied, “In this city where roasted chickens hatch chicks, it isn\u2019t strange that boiled wheat can also be green.”
\nEveryone was astonished at Bohlool\u2019s silencing answer.
\nThe chief addressed the cook, “This judge decided correctly. Roasted chickens do not hatch chicks.”
\nThus the people gave the cook a small amount for the two meals that the businessman had eaten. In this way, the two made peace and hugged each other.<\/p>\n

Bohlool Goes to the Public Hot Bath<\/strong>
\nOne day Bohlool went to the public bathhouse, but its servants acted carelessly and didn\u2019t massage him with the sponge. In that regard, when coming out, Bohlool gave the bath\u2019s owner all 10 dinars he had. When the servants saw his generosity, they got embarrassed as to why they showed him such carelessness.
\nThe next week Bohlool again went to the hot bath. This time all the servants gave him a bath with extreme respect and honor, and showed open-heartedness, but besides all this hard work and effort, Bohlool gave only one dinar when he came out.
\nThe bath\u2019s workers angrily asked, “Last week your unnecessary tip and what is the reason for today\u2019s behavior?”
\nBohlool replied, “I paid for today\u2019s bath last week when I came and gave; I am paying for that bath today so that you people will behave respectfully with your customers.”<\/p>\n

Haroun Questions Bohlool About Wine<\/strong>
\nIt is said that one day Bohlool went to Haroun, who was busy drinking wine. He wanted to prove that he was safe from forbidden eating and drinking, so he asked Bohlool, “Is it forbidden to eat grapes?”
\n“No!”
\n“What if after eating grapes, water is drunk over them?”
\n“There is no harm.”
\n“After eating the grapes and drinking water, one sits for a while in the sun?”
\n“Even then there is no harm.”
\nThen the Khalifa said, “Then if grapes and water are placed in the sun for a time, how does it become forbidden?”
\nBohlool said, “If some dirt is put on one\u2019s head will it cause any harm?”
\n“No.”
\n“Afterwards if water is poured on it, will it cause any pain?”
\n“No.”
\n“If that dirt and water are mixed to make a brick, and thrown on a person\u2019s head, will it cause any pain?”
\nThe Khalifa said, “True, the brick will break a person\u2019s head.”
\nBohlool said, “The way dirt and water mixed together break the human\u2019s head and cause him pain; likewise, grapes and water mixed together become such a thing that the law of Shariah forbids it and states it as impure. Drinking wine causes man many troubles and it becomes obligatory to punish its drinker.”
\nThe Khalifa was distressed at Bohlool\u2019s answer, and ordered the wine stock to be removed.\n<\/p>\n

Result of Patience<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n