Meeting of Bahlool and Sheikh Junayd

Sheikh Junayd of Baghdad set out on a journey from the city, and his disciples followed him. As they were traveling, Junayd asked about Bahlool. His disciples replied, “He is a madman.” Junayd said, “Bring him to me. I wish to speak with him.” They searched for Bahlool and found him in the desert, and brought him before the Sheikh.

When Junayd approached Bahlool, he found him lying on a brick, deep in thought. Junayd greeted him, and Bahlool responded, asking, “Who are you?” Junayd replied, “I am Junayd of Baghdad.” Bahlool asked, “You, O Abu al-Qasim, who guide people, do you know the proper etiquette of eating?” Junayd replied, “I say ‘Bismillah,’ eat from the front of my plate, take small bites, eat with my right hand, chew slowly, and do not look at others’ food. I do not forget God while eating, and I say ‘Alhamdulillah’ after each bite. I wash my hands before and after eating.”

Bahlool stood up and said, “You wish to guide the people, but you don’t even know the proper way to eat?” And with that, he walked away.

Junayd’s disciples said, “O Sheikh, this man is mad!” Junayd responded, “He is a madman who is wise in his own way. His words are worth listening to.” Junayd followed Bahlool and said, “I have business with him.”

When Bahlool stopped again, he asked Junayd, “You don’t know the proper way to eat, do you know the etiquette of speaking?” Junayd replied, “I speak only when necessary, say what is needed, and avoid speaking too much. I speak in a way that is understood by the listener and call people to God and His Messenger. I try not to bore others with my words, and I am careful with the details of both outward and inward knowledge.”

Bahlool responded, “If you don’t know the etiquette of eating or speaking, what is the point of it?” And he walked away again.

Junayd’s disciples, seeing this, said, “What can we expect from a madman? Why are you listening to him?” Junayd replied, “You don’t understand. I have work with him.”

Junayd continued following Bahlool and asked him again, “You don’t know the etiquette of eating or speaking, do you know the etiquette of sleeping?” Junayd replied, “Yes, I do. After the ‘Isha’ prayer, I change into my sleeping clothes and follow the proper etiquettes of sleep as taught by the great ones.”

Bahlool said, “I understand. You don’t even know the etiquette of sleeping.” Just as he was about to leave, Junayd grabbed his garment and said, “O Bahlool, I don’t know. For the sake of God, please teach me.” Bahlool responded, “You claimed to know everything, but now you admit you don’t.”

Bahlool continued, “Everything you mentioned is secondary. The main thing about eating is that you must eat halal (permissible) food. If you follow all these etiquettes but eat something forbidden, they will be of no use and will darken your heart. When it comes to speaking, your heart must be pure, your intention must be correct, and your speech should be for the sake of God. If you speak for personal gain or worldly purposes, your words will bring harm to you. Silence is often better than speaking. And regarding sleeping, what you mentioned is secondary. The real key is that your heart should not hold hatred, envy, or love of the world. You should be in a state of remembrance of God when you fall asleep.”

Junayd kissed Bahlool’s hand and prayed for him. His disciples, who had once thought Bahlool was a madman, now saw his wisdom and abandoned their previous notions, taking Bahlool’s teachings to heart.

This story illustrates Bahlool’s profound wisdom, which often comes across as simple and straightforward, challenging the conventional understanding of piety and proper conduct.