It happened once that the Khalif Harun al Rashid wished to appoint a judge in Baghdad. His advisors understood that they must find a person who was completely impartial, and so after consultation, they all declared that Bahlool should be appointed, for he was never known to favour anyone.

The Khalif summoned Bahlool to the court, and when he came, offered him the position of judge in Baghdad.

Bahlool replied, “I am not worthy of this position, and I do not have the necessary qualifications.”

“But all the wise men of the court have declared that you are perfectly suited for this,” the Khalif said.

Bahlool shook his head. “It is a question of judgement,” he said. “A judge must know how to judge, is it not so? If my judgement of myself is correct, then I am not qualified. And if I am in error, then I am disqualified.”