It happened once that Bahlool with another madman called Aliyan was brought before the Khalif. This was not the Khalif Harun al Rashid, but his predecessor, Musa al Hadi.

The Khalif said, “Why are you called Bahlool?” – a name that can mean ‘smiling or laughing,’ but can also mean ‘simple.’

Bahlool replied, “Why are you called Musa?” – the name of the great Jewish prophet who spoke with God.

Deeply affronted, the Khalif began to curse Bahlool and said he would call for the executioner.

Bahlool turned to Aliyan. “We were two, but now we are three.”