BAHLOOL, THE WISE

Bahlool was the common name of Wahab ibn Amr, a companion of the Infallible Imam Musa al-Kazim (a.s.). He was born in Kufa. He was a well-known judge during the time of Harun ar-Rashid and a scholar who came from a wealthy back ground. The caliph had begun a campaign of crackdown upon the followers of the Infallible Seventh Imam Musa al-Kazim (a.s.). Wahab and a few others met with the Imam and sought his advice. The Imam replied with the Arabic letter “JEEM”. Each of these companions took their own interpretation of the letter “JEEM”: Jala-ul-Watan meaning “Exile”, “Jabal” meaning “taking refuge in the mountain”, “Junun” meaning “Madness”. The next day, Wahab left his wealthy life style, wearing rags came into the streets of Baghdad. People started calling him “Bahlool”.

Another narration says that  Harun ar-Rashid was fearful for the safety of his kingdom from the Infallible Imam (a.s); therefore he tried to destroy the Imam. Harun thought of a trick by which he could kill the Infallible Imam (a.s.). He put the blame of the rebellion on the Imam and demanded a judicial decree from the pious people of his time-which included Bahlool. Every one gave the decree except Bahlool, who opposed the decision. He immediately went to the Imam and informed him of the circumstances, and asked for advice and guidance. Then and there the Imam told him to act insanely. By following the Imam’s advice he was saved from Harun’s punishment. He insulted notorious Khalifa and his courtiers just by talking. Nevertheless, people acknowledge his superior wisdom and excellence.

Before becoming insane Bahlool lead a life of influence and power, but after obeying the Imam’s order, he turned his face from the majesty and splendor of the world. Bahlool was sincerely devoted to Allah, he was an intelligent and virtuous scholar; he spoke with the best of answers ready on his lips.

HOUSE IN HEAVEN FOR SALE: Bahlool was making houses from mud while sitting near the banks of a river. Zubeidah, the wife of Haroon, was passing nearby. She stopped and asked him what was he doing to which Bahlool replied that he was building houses in Jannat (Paradise). She asked: “Would you sell one to me?”

Bahlool replied: “Why not.”

She asked: “What is the price?”

Bahlool replied: “One hundred Dinars for each house.”

Thinking that it would be a help to the poor Bahlool, she bought a house. The same night she dreamt a fabulous palace in heaven with beautiful hooriya in it. She was told this was the house she bought from Bahlool.

Zubeidah, on waking up the next morning related the dream to her husband, Haroon, the caliph. Haroon, upon hearing this send someone with One Hundred Dinars to Bahlool with a request to sell one house to him in heaven. Bahlool smiled and said that Zubeidah purchased it without first seeing or knowing about it while Haroon wanted to have it after coming to know about its true existence in the heaven. Therefore he would not sell to him. Ayahs 2 and 3 of Surah Baqarah say:

                “There is no doubt that this book is a guide for the pious. It is the pious who believe in the unseen, attend to prayer, and give in charity part of what We have granted them.”

VIRTUES OF IMAM ALI (a.s.): One day, Bahlool went to visit Haroon, and he was in a good mood.

Haroon asked: “Was Ali (a.s.) higher in status than Abbas, the uncle of the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) or Abbas was elevated in status than Ali (a.s.)?”

Bahlool replied: “If my safety was guaranteed then I will tell the truth. Ali (a.s.), after the Noble Prophet was in status higher than all the Muslims. Not only that, but higher in status than all the previous prophets. He possessed all the good qualities. His staunch faith in Islam is unquestionable, while his bravery in defense of Islam is unparallel. He and his family sacrificed their lives in safeguarding the tenets of Islam. He was always in the forefront in all defensive wars of Islam and never ran away from the battle field. When asked as to why he does not look back lest an enemy may strike from back. He said that fighting in a battle for him was for the sake of Islam. No fear of any sort or personal interest concerns him. He fully submits to Allah and if he was killed that would be in the way of Allah, and what better achievement could it be than that.

Moreover, when he became the Caliph he worked day and night and did not allow any wastage of the treasury and protected the rights of the poor. He always acted with justice and fairplay and terminated any one found to be unjust.”

Haroon asked: “Despite all these virtues and elevations, why he was then killed?”

Bahlool replied: “Most of the people on the path of truth were persecuted. Even the Prophets like Eisa, Dawood, and Yahiya were not spared by the people of their times.”

The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.s.) had said: “The Truth is with Ali (a.s.) and Ali (a.s.) is with the Truth.”

Sources used:    WIKIPEDIA,

Stories of Bahlool                                                                     translated by Kubra Jafri – Al-Islam.org