Mansur al-Hallaj (c.858–922,) fully Abū ‘l-Muṭī al-Ḥusayn ibn Manṛūr al-Ḥallāj, was a Persian mystic, poet, and Sūfī teacher, known for his controversial teachings and martyrdom. His philosophy emphasized divine love, self-annihilation, and unity with God, making him a polarizing figure in Islamic mysticism.
Born in Fars, Abbasid Caliphate (modern-day Iran,) al-Hallaj memorized the Qur’an by age 12 and studied under Sūfī masters, including Sahl al-Tustari and Junayd of Baghdad. He traveled widely, preaching spiritual enlightenment, which drew both devotion and opposition.
His statement, “Ana’l-Haqq” (“I am the Truth,”) was interpreted by some as a claim to divinity, leading to accusations of heresy. After years of imprisonment, he was executed in Baghdad in 922.
His works include Kitab al-Tawasin (10th century, Book of Tawasin,) exploring mystical themes and divine love, and Diwan al-Hallaj (10th century, Collected Poems,) a compilation of his poetry on spiritual ecstasy.
Louis Massignon’s The Passion of al-Hallaj: Mystic and Martyr of Islam (1982) offers an in-depth study of his life, teachings, and martyrdom, while Herbert Mason’s Hallaj: Mystic and Martyr (1974) provides a literary and historical analysis of his philosophy and influence on Sūfīsm.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Mansur Al-Hallaj
Oh you who have been removed from God in his solitude by the abyss of time, how can you expect to reach him without dying?
—Mansur Al-Hallaj
Topics: Death, Dying
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