Encounter with Haroon on Hajtrip

Haroon once departed from Baghdad on his way for Haj in Mecca. When he arrived at Kufa, the people of that place in large number came forward to greet him. Haroon was seated in a grand and pompous way over a camel back and was majestically passing through the people who had gathered to see him. Among them was Bahlool who shouted at the top of his voice:

"HAROON! HAROON" Haroon rather upset enquired from his people around as to who was that dared to call him in this fashion.

"It is Bahlool", they replied.

Haroon raised the curtain over his seat and looked at Bahlool who said this:

"It has been related by Abdullah bin Amiri that when the Prophet of Islam at the time of Ramiye Hajar, i.e. stone throwing - one of the Haj rites - I noticed that there was no obstruction to people in getting nearer to him and he was walking in perfect humility, whereas you in this Haj trip continue to maintain your show of dignity pomp and pride."

Haroon, hearing this, was moved and he shed tears allowing Bahlool to continue with his words of advice "Oh Caliph! Now that you are endowed with wealth and the dignity of your present elevated worldly status, do not be arrogant and forget Allah. Do not listen to the loose talk of your people.

Let your rule be such that those who do not see you and benefit directly from you remember you after your death.

Refrain from disobeying Allah and from oppression of people under you." On hearing these previous words, Haroon praised Bahlool and ordered some valuable gift be presented to him, but he refused saying:

"I am in no need of your favours. Why not gift to those who cannot earn their living." Raising his head towards the sky and then Bahlool said:

"I and you are both the servants of Allah. How would He take care of you and desert me!"

Taken from the book “The Moral Stories (Part 2)”‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

Author: Ahmed .H. Sheriff

Other links:

BAHLOOL AND A TOURIST