Bahlool’s Wit: The Day of Judgment Dilemma

Harun al-Rashid often tried to mock Bahlool and took every opportunity to do so. In return, Bahlool, with his extraordinary wit, always gave sharp and clever replies to the caliph.

One day, Harun was sitting with his beloved wife Zubayda at a private gathering when he sent one of his servants to fetch Bahlool. Bahlool entered, greeted the caliph, and sat down upon his request. Without wasting any time, Harun asked him, “Bahlool, tell me, when is the Day of Judgment?”

Bahlool replied, “Your Majesty, there are two kinds of Days of Judgment: one is the lesser Day of Judgment, and the other is the greater. Which one would you like to know about?”

The caliph, puzzled, asked, “What do you mean? What is the lesser and what is the greater?”

Bahlool explained, “If your wife Zubayda passes away, that would be the lesser Day of Judgment. But if you, the caliph, were to pass away, that would be the greater Day of Judgment.”

This clever response by Bahlool, subtly pointing out the caliph’s mortality, left Harun al-Rashid speechless and showed once again Bahlool’s sharp wit and ability to handle the caliph’s mockery with ease.