The Value of Safety

A merchant from Baghdad was traveling by ship to Basra with his servant. Bahlool and several others were also aboard the ship. The servant, terrified by the turbulence of the sea, began crying and wailing incessantly, causing discomfort to the other passengers.

Bahlool approached the merchant and asked for permission to calm the servant. The merchant agreed.

Bahlool immediately instructed the crew to throw the servant into the sea. As the servant floundered and neared drowning, they pulled him back onto the ship. From that moment on, the servant sat quietly in a corner, calm and composed.

The other passengers, curious, asked Bahlool about the wisdom behind this act.

Bahlool explained, “The servant did not appreciate the safety of the ship. It was only when he experienced the danger of the sea that he realized the ship was a place of peace and security.”