THE DRUNKARD CALIPH:
Bahlool once arrived at Haroon’s palace and found him
drinking wine. Haroon wanted to cover up his vice; hence he asked this question
to him:
“Is it haram if one were to eat grapes?”
“Certainly not.” Replied
Bahlool.
“How it is if one is to drink water after eating grapes?”
asked Haroon.
“Nothing wrong in it.” Replied Bahlool.
“Is there anything wrong if after eating grapes and
drinking water, one were to sit in the sun?”further questioned Haroon.
“Not at all.” Replied Bahlool.
Bahlool understood what the drunkard caliph was driving
at. After pausing for a while, Bahlool asked following questions:
“If a little earth were to be put over the head of
someone, what harm would it cause to him?”
“No harm.” replied Haroon.
“If then a little water were to be added to that earth?”
asked Bahlool.
“No harm also.” replied Haroon.
“If bricks were to be made by mixing earth and water and
then strike his head with it, what would happen?” asked Bahlool.
“His head would burst and blood comes out.” Replied
Haroon.
Bahlool thereafter
argued that just as earth and water mixed together could cause severe harm to
one’s head, similarly, water and grapes when converted into the form of wine
would cause much harm and misery to man. Hence the prohibition of wine in
Islamic Sharia!
The Noble Prophet
(s.a.w.a.s.) said: “Alcohol is a collection of sins.”
Obviously, one is likely to commit any sort of sins when in
senseless condition under the influence of alcohol or for that matter any
intoxicant. The number of ghastly crimes committed today under the influence of
intoxicants is a prima facie evidence of its evil effects.
ARGUMENT WITH ABU
HANIFA:
Abu Hanifa was
once giving lectures to his disciples and disclosed to them his disagreement
with three things Infallible Imam Jaffer al-Sadiq (a.s.) had been teaching.
Firstly:
Shaitan would go to Hell. How this could happen when Shaitan himself was
created from fire and how could fire burn fire?
Secondly: God
is not to be seen. Why could we not see God when everything in existence is
seen?
Thirdly: Everyone
is responsible for his action and not Allah. Experience shows the opposite;
that every action of man is caused by God; man has no control over it.
When Bahlool heard about this, he picked up a lump of mud and threw it at the forehead of Abu Hanifa.
He tried to run away but the disciples of Abu Hanifa arrested him. They dragged
him before the Caliph and lodged a complaint.
Bahlool asked Abu Hanifa: “What are you’re complaining about
me?”
“My head pains as
a result of the lump of mud you threw at me.” Replied Abu Hanifa
“Show me the pain”
Asked Bahlool
“How could the
pain, which is invisible, be shown” Replied Abu Hanifa
“But you yourself
had argued before your disciples that what is in existence is possible to be
seen. That lump of mud has injured you is also untrue. According to your
belief, how could something made of mud and earth injure and cause pain to man
who is also made of earth? You had also argued that whatever actions committed
by man are caused by Allah. Therefore, why complain against me for hitting
you?” Concluded Bahlool
Abu Hanifa was dumbfounded and withdrew his complaint!
It was a lesson of
Tauheed as expounded by AhlulBayt (a.s.) of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) but
presented in a practical way by Bahlool.
In his farewell sermon, the Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) of Islam
reminded his followers that they would never go astray should they follow what
he was leaving behind for them:
“Verily, I am leaving behind among you that
which if you take hold of, you will never go astray: The Book of Allah (The Glorious Qur’an) and
my Progeny (Ahlul Bayt)
Source:
Bahlool Dana Scribe
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