Bahlool’s Advice to Harun

One day, Bahlool visited Harun al-Rashid. Harun said, “O Bahlool, give me some advice.”

Bahlool replied, “O Harun, if you were in a desert with no water, and thirst overcame you to the brink of death, what would you give for a sip of water to quench your thirst?”

Harun said, “I would give a hundred gold dinars.”

Bahlool asked, “What if the owner of the water refused to accept money? What would you give then?”

Harun replied, “I would give half my kingdom!”

Bahlool continued, “After drinking the water, if you fell ill and no remedy could cure you, what would you give to someone who could heal you?”

Harun answered, “I would give the other half of my kingdom.”

Bahlool then said, “Do not be arrogant about your kingdom, for its true worth is no more than a sip of water. Shouldn’t this realization lead you to treat God’s creation with kindness and humility?”