Once a scholar came upon Bahlool, sitting as usual in the cemetery. The world generally believed that Bahlool was a fool, but the scholar suspected that he was not what he appeared to be, but was perhaps a realised being disguising himself. Wishing to test him, the scholar said, “Do you consider yourself knowledgeable in matters of the faith and divine law? Ask me a question, or I will ask you one.”

Bahlool replied, “I do not wish anyone to ask me questions, nor do I wish to ask anyone questions.”

“And why is that?”

“If I ask you a question,” Bahlool replied, “you will not be able to answer it, for your knowledge of books is dry and lifeless. And if you ask me a question, it will be asked from animosity and malice, and therefore truth and falsehood will be mixed. This is contrary to the divine law you wish to discuss, and a waste of time.”