Bahlool’s Wisdom: True Prosperity in Life and Death

One day, Bahlul was sitting in a cemetery when Harun al-Rashid passed by and saw him. Harun said, “Why don’t you come to the city, where life prospers?”

Bahlul replied, “And where do those who live in the city eventually go?”

Harun answered, “They all come here.”

Bahlul said, “Then this is the true prosperity.”

Harun remarked, “Oh madman, your words are wise.”

Bahlul replied, “If I were truly mad, I would exchange the eternal for the temporary, as you do.”