Who was Behlol Danna?

Answer 1

Bohlool was born in Kufa and his real name is Wahab bin Amr, a student of sixth Imam, Imam Jafar Sadiq but also lived in the reign of seventh Imam, Imam Musa Kadhim , as his companion. Bahlool was a well known judge and scholar who came from a wealthy background. The Abbasid Caliph during the time of Bahlool was Harun Al-Rashid.

Abbasid Caliph Harun Al-Rashid had begun a crackdown against the followers of seventh Imam, Imam Musa Kadhim , who was at the time in prison. Wahab bin Amr and a few others met seventh Imam, Imam Musa Kadhim and sought advice. Seventh Imam, Imam Musa Kadhim replied with the simple Arabic letter 'Jeem'. Each of these companions took their own interpretation of the letter: Jala-ul-watan (exile), Jabl (refuge in the mountains), and for Wahab bin Amr Junoon (insanity).

The next day Wahab bin Amr left his wealthy life, wearing rags and came into the streets. He was soon given the name Bahlool Al Majnoon by the people of Baghdad. By doing this, he was saved from Abbasid Caliph Harun Al-Rashid's punishment. Now, without any fear of danger, and in amusing ways, Bohlool protected himself from tyrannies. Bohlool insulted the notorious Caliph and his courtiers just by talking. Nevertheless, people acknowledged his superior wisdom and excellence. Even today many of his stories are narrated in assemblies and teach the listeners valuable lessons.

Poverty and Pomp:

Behlool liked to visit the graveyards. "People here are good friends", he used to say, "They do not backbite."

Once, he sat in a corner of a graveyard and with a long heavy stick started probing some of the old skulls which lay scattered about. Abbasid Caliph Harun Al-Rashid passed by, and saw him said: O Behlool, what are you doing?

Oh nothing very important, said Behlool. I am just trying to find out whether the skulls belong to Caliphs or paupers. They are all the same.

And what is the stick for, Abbasid Caliph Harun Al-Rashid asked.

Well, I am measuring the earth, Behlool replied.

Measuring the earth? What are your findings? Abbasid Caliph Harun Al-Rashid joked!

It is equal and the same, O Caliph! Behlool retorted. Three arm lengths for me, in spite of my poverty and three arm lengths for you, in spite your pomp and wealth.