Bahlul and the Judge
It is said that a certain man decided to perform the Hajj Pilgrimage. Since he had little children, he went to the judge and, in front of the court officials, gave 1,000 Dinars to him for taking care of his children in his absence. He said, “If I die during this journey, then you are custodian of my children. What you yourself want, give to my children, and if I safely return, then I will take back this deposit.”
He departed from the judge’s office for the Hajj. Allah decreed that he die during his journey. When his sons came of age and understanding, they asked for their deposit from the judge.
The judge said, “Your father willed in front of the people that I give to you whatever I wanted. In this respect, I can give you only 100 Dinars.”
They started screaming. The judge called the witnesses and asked, “Do you people testify that that day these children’s father gave me 1,000 Dinars and said, ‘If I die on the way, then give my sons whatever you want.’”
All the people testified that yes, he said this.
Therefore the judge said, “Now I won’t give you more than 100 dinars.”
Those poor sons were perturbed and asked everyone for help. The people couldn’t change this lawful trick. Soony, Bahlul heard about it. He took the children with him to the judge and said, “Why don’t you give these orphans their right?”
The judge said, “Their father willed that I give them whatever I wish, and I won’t give them more than 100 dinars.”
“O Judge! What you want is 900 dinars, and according to your words, their father willed that whatever you yourself want, give to my sons; therefore, give them their late father’s 900 dinars that you yourself want. That is their right.”
The judge became helpless at Bahlul’s answer and was compelled to give the orphans the 900 dinars.