Bahlool and the Greek Philosopher

Harun al-Rashid had arranged a grand gathering, and a Greek philosopher was present at the gathering. Bahlool and two of his companions entered the hall. The Greek philosopher was speaking when, suddenly, Bahlool interrupted and asked, “What is your job?”

The Greek philosopher, knowing that Bahlool was considered mad, thought he could expose Bahlool’s madness. He replied, “I am a philosopher, and my job is to return the lost reason to those who have lost it.” Bahlool responded, “With such words, don’t cause anyone to lose their reason, only to later have to restore it.”

In this story, Bahlool cleverly challenges the philosopher’s grandiose idea, pointing out the irony in trying to bring reason to others while himself losing track of it through prideful thinking.