The Moral Stories (part 2)

Shoes Not Book of Philosophy

It was a day of Idd and Bahlool went to a mosque for prayers. There was multitude of people and the place was getting congested. When he arrived at the door, he was large number of shoes and sandles scattered around.

Since his shoes wen stolen before, he feared he might again lose them if he did not take care this time. Hence he took out a handkerchief and covering around his shoes, he entered the mosque and sat in one corner. A man sitting near him seeing a parcel covered and being taken care of said to Bahlool:

"I guess you are holding a valuable book. Can you tell me of what subject it is?"

Bahlool replied:

"It is on philosophy."

The man then asked him; "Where and from which bookshop you have purchased?" Bahlool replied: "From a shoe-maker shop have I purchased"

HAROON'S NEW PALANCE

It took quite some time for Haroon to get a new palace built for himself. When ready, he was one day walking about on the top of it, enjoying the scenery and the beauty around him. Suddenly, his attention was drawn downwards towards Bahlool who was passing by and gazing at the structure of the palace. Haroon called him saying:

"Oh Bahlooll I have a request to make to you. Can you suggest some suitable words for this magnificent new palace of mine?"

Bahlool instantly found a piece of charcoal and scribbed thickly over the wall of the palace with the following words:

"You have raised the earth-bricks whilst you have lowered your religion (subordinated religious principles) If you have raised this building from your own money, then you have acted extrava-vently. And if you have built it from the money belonging to others (public treasury) then verily you have commited oppression and Allah does not like the oppressors"

How wice befitting is the following saying of Imam Jaffer Sadique (A.S.): "Whoever acquires wealth illicitly, becomes subdued and involved in such a construction work which would absorb all such wealth which is spent after eerth, water and construction work.

Ultimately, he departs from this world before he is able to enjoy the advantage and pleasure of his buildings fully" Bahlool was one of such people as described by Ali bin Abi Tabib (as) in one of his sermons: "There are some people devoted to the remembrance (of Allah) who have adopted it in place of worldly matters so that commerce or trade does not turn them away from it.

They pass their life in it. They speak into the ears of neglectful persons warning against matters held unlawful by Allah," (Nahjul Balaghah sermon 222)

Refund Of Loan On Reapperrance Of Imam

Someone decided to tease Bahlool on the belief of the concealed 12th Imam and his reappearance one day to establish a rule of equity and justice throughout the world.

In a sitting where Bahlool was also present, he said this to him: "Don't you cherish the belief that your Imam (the 12th Imam Hazrat Mahdi (A.F.) will reappear in the end of time and establish a rule of justice? if you are firm on this belief, why not loan to me now five hundred dinars and I shall repay when your Imam reappears."

In reply, Bahlool told him:

"Undoubtedly this is my belief and I am willing to loan you the money on a condition. And it is this that you provide a guarantee that you will not then be transformed into a pig or a dog. Should you then become so, from whom shall I recover my money?"

Hearing this, those present raised a big laughter and the one who was out to tease Bahlool became dumbfounded.

And Bahlool lifting his stick left the place and went away. Recognizing the Imam of the age is so important and essential that the Holy Prophet (S.A.VV.) had said:

"He who dies without recognizing the Imam of his age is like the one who died during the jahiliyya (the pagan era before me advent of Islam) To die during jahiliyya means a death devoid of Islam and faith.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

  1. Majmooa-e-Dastane Bahlool-e-Akil Kerman Mahmood Tehran- Farsi Urdu Translation Sadaye Ja'aferi Hyderabad.

  2. The Holy Qur'an- English Translation by M. H. Shakir

  3. Nahjul Balagha- English Translation by WOFIS Tehran

  4. Sukhanan-e-Muhammad (s.a.w.w.)

  5. Nafahatu Risaliyya - Dar al Tawhid Acknowledgement

To Mr. Ahmed A.M.Jaffer and others who have helped me with their suggestions and encouragement in this publication, I express my grateful thanks.