It happened one day that as he wandered through the streets of the city, Bahlool overheard a scholar addressing a large group of students. The scholar was a highly esteemed one, and as Bahlool listened, he discovered that he was describing to his students the defects and errors in the reasoning of another scholar.
“Although I respect that man greatly,” the scholar was saying, “I strongly disagree with him on three important points. First, he says that God cannot be seen, but it is as obvious as the sun at noon that that which cannot be seen does not exist.
“Second, he declares that God will punish Satan in the fires of hell, but as Satan is himself made of the essence of fire, that is nonsense, for how can fire harm fire?
“And third, he declares that humans act from free will, whereas it is plain and undeniable that God’s will rules over all, and so all actions are predestined and happen only under Divine compulsion.”
When the scholar concluded this, Bahlool picked up a hard lump of earth and threw it, striking the scholar in the forehead. Enraged at this attack, the scholar and the students seized Bahlool and dragged him to the court of the Caliph to be judged. One student even brought the lump of earth as evidence of Bahlool’s misbehaviour.
The Caliph scolded Bahlool harshly. “Are you a madman? How dare you treat such a respected scholar in this way? You have broken his forehead open! Explain yourself!”
“O Caliph,” Bahlool replied, “it was not from lack of respect. The scholar raised three philosophical arguments, and I simply wished to resolve them. If you allow me, I will explain.”
Intrigued, the Caliph gestured for Bahlool tp proceed.
Bahlool turned to the scholar. “You claim that Satan cannot be harmed by fire, as that is what he is made of. Is that so?”
“Yes,” said the scholar, “that is correct.”
Bahlool pointed to the lump of dirt that had been placed in evidence before the Caliph. “This object that struck you – what is it made of?”
“Earth,” said the scholar.
“And what are you made of?” asked Bahlool.
The scholar hesitated. “Also earth,” he finally admitted.
“Then, if fire cannot harm fire, how can earth hurt earth?” said Bahlool. “You and the earth are of the same essence, so if your reasoning is correct you should have no complaint. Now, you also claim that, as God exists, He must be visible.”
“Yes,” said the scholar.
“When the earth struck your forehead,” Bahlool said, “did it cause pain?”
“Yes!” the scholar replied firmly. “Much pain!” And he dabbed at the wound with a cloth.
“Show me the pain,” said Bahlool.
The scholar gave Bahlool a pitying look. “Pain cannot be seen,” he said condescendingly. “It is felt.”
“So, pain, a creation of God, cannot be seen,” said Bahlool. “How do you expect that God Himself, Who is the Creator of that which is invisible, should be seen?”
The scholar, now plainly embarrassed, said nothing.
“Finally,” said Bahlool, “you assert that all happens by Divine Will, that all human actions are predestined and compelled into manifestation.”
“Yes,” said the scholar.
“If that is so,” said Bahlool, “I must have thrown the earth in obedience to Divine compulsion. I was merely fulfilling His will. To complain of this, as you are doing, should be a serious act of rebellion – it might even be considered a heresy.”
The scholar searched for a reply, but could find none. Now completely humiliated, he left the court in shame, while the Caliph and the courtiers all marvelled that Bahlool had solved three deep philosophical problems simply by breaking the scholar’s head.