Harun al-Rashid and the Killing of a Madman

One day, Harun al-Rashid was passing by a cemetery and saw Bahlool and his companion, Aliyan, both madmen, sitting together and talking. Harun, wanting to make a joke, ordered that they be brought to him. He said, “Today, I will kill the madmen. Call the executioner!” The executioner appeared immediately, drawing his sword and ready to behead Aliyan. Bahlool said, “O Harun, what are you doing?” Harun replied, “Today, I am killing the madmen.” Bahlool responded, “Glory be to God! We have two madmen in this city, and you are the third. If you kill us, who will kill you?”

This tale humorously exposes Harun al-Rashid’s arrogance, suggesting that his desire to execute the madmen only makes him part of their madness. Bahlool uses wit to turn the tables, pointing out the absurdity in Harun’s action.