Bahlool’s Lesson on Judgment Day for Harun al-Rashid

Bahlul often sat in the cemetery, and one day, while he was there for worship, Harun al-Rashid passed by, intending to hunt. When he reached Bahlul, he asked, “Bahlul, what are you doing?”

Bahlul replied, “I have come to visit those who neither gossip about others, nor have expectations from me, nor do they cause me any harm.”

Harun asked, “Can you tell me about the Day of Judgment, the Sirat (the bridge), and the questions and answers of the hereafter?”

Bahlul replied, “Tell your servants to make a fire right here and heat a metal plate until it is hot and well-burned.”

Harun ordered that a fire be lit, and a metal plate was placed on the fire until it became hot.

Bahlul then said, “O Harun, I will now stand barefoot on this plate, introduce myself, and mention what I have eaten and what I have worn. Then you must do the same: take off your shoes and introduce yourself, mentioning what you have eaten and worn.”

Harun agreed. Bahlul stepped onto the hot plate and immediately said, “Bahlul, wearing a cloak, with bread and vinegar,” and quickly stepped off the plate without burning himself.

When it was Harun’s turn, as soon as he tried to step on the plate to introduce himself, he was unable to do so, and his feet burned, causing him to fall.

Bahlul then said, “O Harun, the questioning and answering on the Day of Judgment will be just like this. Those who have lived a simple, humble life, without indulging in the luxuries of this world, will pass through easily. But those who have been attached to worldly comforts will face great difficulties.”