Bahlool’s Advice to Ibn Rabi’

One day, Fazl ibn Rabi, the vizier of Harun al-Rashid, was passing by when he saw Bahlool sitting in a corner, lost in thought. Fazl, raising his voice, called out, “Bahlool, what are you doing?” Bahlool looked up, saw that it was Fazl, and replied, “I am thinking about your fate. You too will end up like Ja’far al-Barmaki.”

Fazl trembled at Bahlool’s words and said, “I have heard much about the fate of Ja’far, but I have never heard it from your lips. I would like you to tell me the whole story of Ja’far’s execution.” Bahlool replied, “During the reign of Caliph al-Mahdi, the son of Mansur, Yahya ibn Khalid al-Barmaki, was appointed as the head of the secretarial department and became a close confidant of Harun al-Rashid. Soon, Harun entrusted Yahya and his son Ja’far with everything. Harun’s affection for Ja’far grew so much that he even married his sister, Abbasa, to him, instructing Ja’far not to touch her.

However, Ja’far, despite Harun’s instructions, took advantage of Abbasa. When Harun found out, all his affection turned to hatred. Harun began plotting against Ja’far and the Barmaki family, trying to destroy them with every opportunity he found. One night, Harun called his servant, Masrur, and said, ‘Tonight, I want you to bring me Ja’far’s head.’ Masrur trembled at the command and, lost in thought, lowered his head. Harun, noticing his hesitation, asked, ‘Why are you silent, and what are you thinking?’ Masrur replied, ‘This is a great task, and I wish I had died before being asked to carry out such a mission.’ Harun said, ‘If you do not carry out my order, you will face my wrath, and I will kill you in a way that the birds of the sky will weep.’

Masrur reluctantly went to Ja’far’s house and, filled with fear, informed Ja’far of the cruel order. Ja’far, understanding the gravity of the situation, said, ‘Perhaps this order was given in anger and may be revoked once the caliph is calmer. I ask you to go back to him and tell him that if he does not regret it by morning, I will give you my head willingly.’

Masrur did not dare to follow Ja’far’s request and said, ‘Come with me to the caliph’s palace, perhaps he will have a change of heart.’ Ja’far agreed, and they set off towards the palace. When they reached the palace, Masrur, still fearful, went to Harun and reported, ‘I have brought Ja’far, and he is waiting outside the palace.’ Harun, furious, warned, ‘If you delay even slightly in carrying out my command, I will kill you before him.’ Without further hesitation, Masrur rushed back to Ja’far, and, in a moment of tragic fate, took off the head of the young man, who was the epitome of nobility, learning, and generosity, and brought it to Harun.

Harun, cruel and unrelenting, did not stop there. He ordered the destruction of the entire Barmaki family, confiscated their wealth, and had Ja’far’s body hung from the walls of Baghdad, where it was left for several days before being burned.

Now, Fazl, I am worried about your fate, and I fear that you may meet the same end as Ja’far al-Barmaki.”

Fazl, frightened by Bahlool’s words, asked him to pray for his safety.

This story emphasizes Bahlool’s wisdom and his ability to see through the dangerous arrogance and ambition of the powerful. His words served as a warning to Fazl ibn Rabi, urging him to reconsider his path before it was too late.