Today’s Good Lesson

During the era of Caliph Harun al-Rashid, there lived a spiritually absorbed and unconventional saint known as Bahlol Majzoob. He was a man who appeared eccentric on the outside, but his words often carried deep wisdom. Harun al-Rashid enjoyed Bahlol’s humorous remarks and witty conversations, and at times, in his state of spiritual ecstasy, Bahlol would speak profound truths in the simplest and most unexpected ways.

One day, Bahlol Majzoob came to visit Harun al-Rashid. The Caliph, in a playful mood, picked up a walking stick and jokingly said, “Bahlol, I am giving you this stick. If you ever find someone who seems more foolish than you, give it to him.”

Bahlol accepted the stick with complete seriousness, carefully kept it with him, and quietly left. With time, the matter was forgotten. Even Harun al-Rashid himself probably forgot about this incident.

After a long period, Harun al-Rashid became severely ill. His condition worsened rapidly, and the physicians eventually gave up hope, declaring that recovery was impossible. He was now facing the certainty of death.

When Bahlol Majzoob heard about his illness, he came to visit him. After greeting him respectfully, he asked, “O Ameer-ul-Momineen (Leader of the Believers), how are you feeling?”

Harun al-Rashid replied, “Bahlol, you ask about my condition? I am about to begin a very long journey.”

Bahlol asked innocently, “What journey is that?”

Harun al-Rashid replied, “The journey of the Hereafter.”

Bahlol then asked with simplicity, “And when will you return from this journey?”

Harun al-Rashid responded, “Bahlol, you are a strange man. Has anyone ever returned from the journey of the Hereafter?”

Bahlol looked surprised and said, “So you will not return?”

Harun al-Rashid answered, “No.”

Bahlol continued, “Then how many security guards have you sent ahead for protection? And who will go with you on this journey?”

Harun al-Rashid replied, “No one goes with a person on the journey of the Hereafter. I will go alone, empty-handed.”

At this point, Bahlol Majzoob spoke with deep seriousness and wisdom. He said, “If that is the case, then take this back,” and pulling the stick from under his arm, he returned it to Harun al-Rashid.

Then Bahlol said,

“I could not find any human being more foolish than you.”

Harun al-Rashid looked at him in shock.

Bahlol continued,

“Whenever you used to go on even a short worldly journey, preparations would begin weeks in advance. Security forces would be sent ahead, guards would surround you, servants and soldiers would accompany you, and every comfort and protection would be arranged.”

He paused and then said,

“But now you are about to go on the longest journey of all — a journey from which there is no return — and you have made no preparation for it. No provisions, no companions, no protection, and no planning. If this is not foolishness, then what is?”

These words struck Harun al-Rashid like a bolt of lightning. His heart trembled. Tears flowed from his eyes, and he began to cry. With a trembling voice, he said,

“Bahlol, we always considered you mad and insane. But today we have realized that there is no one wiser and more intelligent than you.”

Through this simple but powerful incident, Bahlol Majzoob taught a timeless lesson:

People spend their entire lives preparing for the temporary world — for jobs, houses, wealth, journeys, status, and security — yet completely neglect preparation for the eternal journey of the Hereafter. The journey that is certain, unavoidable, and from which no one returns is the one people prepare for the least.

This story is not just about a king and a saint; it is a mirror for every human being. It reminds us that true intelligence is not in worldly planning alone, but in spiritual awareness, accountability, and preparation for the life after death. Bahlol’s wisdom exposes the illusion of power, wealth, and authority, showing that in the end, every human being leaves this world alone, carrying only their deeds