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Bohlool was born in Kufa and his real name is Wahab bin Amr, a student of sixth Imam, Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) but also lived in the reign of seventh Imam, Imam Musa Kadhim (as), 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 (as), who was at the time in prison. Wahab bin Amr and a few others met seventh Imam, Imam Musa Kadhim (as) and sought advice. Seventh Imam, Imam Musa Kadhim (as) 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.

Junaid Baghdadi and Behlool, Behlool and Serious Advice, Behlool Wisdom Behlool simulated madness, though he was not mad. Junaid Baghdadi a scholar and Sufi of repute, knew him very well. One day as they met, Junaid Baghdadi requested him to give him some counsel and admonition.

"You do not need any advice. You are a well known scholar," Behlool said.

But Junaid Baghdadi insisted. Behlool gave in and said: "Well, I shall ask you three questions. If you answer them correctly, you will be advised.."

And then he proceeded to ask: "Do you know how to talk?" "Do you know how to eat?" "Do you know how to sleep?"

Junaid Baghdadi found these simple. He said: "I know how to talk. I talk with a low voice, politely and to the point, so that the listeners are not at all offended. I eat after having washed my hands, say Bismillah before I commence, and chew the food properly. When I finish, I thank Allah (SWT). Before I go to sleep, I do my Wudu (Ablution) and retire to a clean bed. Then I bear witness to my faith and sleep."

Behlool stood up and started walking away. He said: "I thought you were quite learned. You do not know the most elementary things of Islam." But Junaid Baghdadi would not let him go. "Please guide me," he enjoined.

"Well," Behlool said, "It is no use talking softly if it is a lie, remembering Allah (SWT) before eating has no meaning if the food you eat is forbidden or usurped or that the food has been bought from the money of an orphan, a widow or a fellowman. And what is the use of sleeping with Wudu (Ablution) and all the recitations if your heart is full of malice, jealousy and enmity towards your brother in faith? He who sleeps with a clean heart sleeps a religious man. Do you understand? These are the principles. The rest are all secondary virtues."

Bohlool, a Bundle, Barley Bread, and Vinegar: Bohlool and Serious Advice

It is said that Bohlool mostly spent his time sitting in a graveyard. One day, as usual, he went there. Abbasid Caliph Harun Al-Rashid passed by, desiring to hunt. When he arrived near Bohlool he asked, "Bohlool, what are you doing?"

"I have come to visit such people who don't backbite, don't expect anything from me and don't cause me pain in any way."

"Will you tell me something about Qiyamah (The day of Resurrection) , Sirat (Bridge), and the questions and answers about this world?"

"Tell your slaves to kindle a fire and place a flat iron pan over it till it becomes red-hot.
Abbasid Caliph Harun Al-Rashid ordered it and it was done.

"O Abbasid Caliph Harun Al-Rashid! I will stand barefoot on this pan and introduce myself. I will describe whatever I have eaten and worn. After that, you also stand barefoot like I did, introduce yourself, and describe whatever you have eaten and worn."

Abbasid Caliph Harun Al-Rashid agreed.

Then Bohlool stood on the hot pan and quickly said, "Bohlool, a bundle (of tattered clothes), barley bread and vinegar." He said this and immediately came off; his feet were not burned at all. When Abbasid Caliph Harun Al-Rashid's turn came, he couldn't introduce himself the way he wanted to, his feet got burned, and he fell off.

"O Abbasid Caliph Harun Al-Rashid! Qiyamat's questions and answers are like this. Those who worship Allah (SWT), are content, and stay away from greediness of the world's rank and dignity will easily pass Sirat (Bridge), but those who are attached to worldly majesty and splendor will be arrested with troubles."