Bahlool’s Wisdom: Justice for the Kind Merchant

In the city of Baghdad, there was a merchant who was known for his honesty, integrity, and kindness. He was well-regarded by the people and became famous for importing sought-after goods and selling them at a modest profit. He had a reputation for fairness and generosity. On the other hand, his rival, a Jewish moneylender, was known for his harshness and greed. He sold his goods at exorbitant prices and lent money to other merchants at harsh terms, taking advantage of their need.

By fate, the kind merchant found himself in need of money and went to the Jewish moneylender to ask for a loan. The Jewish moneylender, knowing of the merchant’s good reputation but still harboring animosity toward him, agreed to lend him the money on one condition: the merchant had to sign a legal document that, if he failed to repay the debt by the agreed date, the moneylender would have the right to cut off a pound of flesh from anywhere on the merchant’s body.

In desperation, the merchant agreed to the terms, signed the document, and handed it over to the moneylender, even though he knew the condition was cruel and unfair. Unfortunately, the merchant was unable to repay the loan by the deadline. The moneylender, eager to take advantage of the situation, went to the judge to claim his right, and the merchant was summoned.

The judge, following the agreement in the contract, was prepared to allow the moneylender to take a pound of flesh from the merchant. The moneylender, filled with hatred, intended to cut a part of the merchant’s body that would lead to his death. The judge postponed the ruling, hoping the moneylender would reconsider, but the moneylender was relentless and demanded immediate action. Word of the case spread throughout the city, and the people began to sympathize with the kind merchant, feeling helpless as no other solution was available.

When Bahlool heard of the situation, he immediately went to the court and stood among the onlookers, paying close attention to the case. When the judge told the merchant that, according to the document, he was obliged to allow the moneylender to take a pound of flesh from his body, the merchant cried out, “O judge, you are a man of wisdom, and I trust your judgment.” At that moment, Bahlool interjected, saying, “O judge, may I speak on behalf of this wronged merchant?”

The judge, surprised by Bahlool’s request, gave him permission to speak. Bahlool then addressed the court, saying, “According to the contract, the moneylender does indeed have the right to take a pound of flesh from the merchant. However, it must be done in such a way that not a single drop of blood falls from his body, and the amount of flesh taken must be exactly one pound—no more, no less. If the moneylender does anything contrary to these conditions, he will be found guilty of murder, and all of his property will be confiscated by the state.”

The judge, amazed by Bahlool’s reasoning, praised his wisdom. The moneylender, realizing he could not fulfill these conditions without risking his own life, was forced to back down. The judge then ruled that the moneylender should only be paid the amount of the loan in full, and the merchant was freed from the cruel bargain.

The people in the court, astonished by Bahlool’s wisdom and quick thinking, praised him. The judge was also impressed, and the moneylender, having no further recourse, reluctantly accepted the ruling.

This story demonstrates Bahlool’s brilliance and his ability to use logic and fairness to defend those in need, even when facing overwhelming odds. His quick thinking not only saved the merchant but also exposed the unjust practices of the moneylender.