Bahlool and His Inheritance

When Bahlul’s father passed away, he left him six hundred dirhams. The judge took the six hundred dirhams and did not allow Bahlul to access them. Bahlul went to the judge and said, “Do you think I lack intelligence? I am, in fact, complete. Give me one hundred dirhams and appoint some people to observe me as I conduct my buying and selling. If you see wisdom and competence in my actions, then give me the remaining money. If I waste the one hundred dirhams, then do not give me the rest.”

The judge placed one hundred dirhams in a pouch and handed it to Bahlul. Bahlul took the money, wandered about, and eventually buried it. After some time, Bahlul returned to the judge, who was sitting in the court.

The judge asked, “What did you do with the money?”

Bahlul replied, “May Allah honor the judge, I spent it in the way of Allah. And if your opinion is that the one hundred dirhams I placed in the pouch should return to the same place where it was, then let it be so.”

The judge asked, “Do you dislike what I have done by taking control of your money?”

Bahlul answered, “No, that is why I have brought two witnesses.” The witnesses testified, and the judge placed one hundred dirhams from his own money into the pouch for Bahlul.