Every thing is recognized by means of its attributes and effects; sagaciousness and intelligence of a person become manifest by means of his words and deeds.
Bahlool (d. 190 A.H.), despite the fact that his father was the uncle of Haroon al-Rashid, exhibited himself as a lunatic in order to abstain himself from accepting the post of judge and issuing the death sentence for the seventh Imam (‘a).
One of the most evident examples of his ration and intellect was the incident of his entry into the class of Abu Hanifah - one of the Sunnite leaders.
Once, as he happened to pass by the class Abu Hanifah, he heard him say: “Ja’far Ibn Muhammad (‘a) has said to his students three things, which I do not approve of.
He (‘a) has said: “Satan shall be chastised in the fire of Hell.” But how can he be punished by means of fire when he has himself been created out of fire?
He (‘a) also says: “Allah cannot be seen”, whereas every entity can be perceived by means of vision.
He (‘a) also says: “Man, in performing his actions, is free and has a choice”, whereas, in reality, Allah is the Creator and His servants have no discretion and freedom.
Having heard this from Abu Hanifah, Bahlool picked up a clod of earth and hit him on the head, injuring him and prompting lamentations from him.
His students rushed towards Bahlool and seizing him, presented him before the caliph.
Abu Hanifah said to the caliph: “Bahlool has struck me with a clod of earth and injured me.”
Bahlool retorted: “If he speaks the truth ask him to show the pain.”
Then turning to Abu Hanifah, he said: “Have you not been created from earth? How then can earth harm and injure you? (Besides) What wrong have I done? Are you yourself not of the opinion that it is Allah, who performs all the acts and deeds, and man has no discretion and freedom? Thus, you should register a complaint against Allah and not against me.”
Abu Hanifah, having received the answers to his objections, withdrew his complaint and went his way.”
Source: Qamus al-Rijal, vol. 2, pg. 252.
