Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Muslim / Sufi

9th Century

Iran/Per
(Middle East)

Hallaj (Mansur al-Hallaj)

Timeline (9th Century)

Poems by Hallaj (Mansur al-Hallaj)
Books - Links

Hallaj (Mansur al-Hallaj), Hallaj (Mansur al-Hallaj) poetry, Muslim / Sufi, Muslim / Sufi poetry, poetry, poetry, poetry

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Mansur al-Hallaj is one of the more controversial figures of Sufism. Considered by many to be a great poet-saint, he was executed for blasphemy and sorcery.

The name al-Hallaj means "wool carder," probably a reference to his family's traditional occupation. Al-Hallaj was born in the province of Fars, Persia (Iran). He later moved to what is now Iraq, where he took up religious studies, particularly the Sufi way.

He was married and stayed with his wife all his life.

Orthodox religious authorities took offense at his poetry and teachings, particularly the line in one of his great poems "Ana 'l-Haqq," which translates as "I am the Real," but can also be translated as "I am the Truth" or "I am God" -- acknowledging the mystical realization of unity with the Eternal. He was condemned by a council of theologians, imprisoned for nine years, and eventually put to death. He is revered today as a martyr for truth by many Sufis and mystics.

Poems by Hallaj (Mansur al-Hallaj)

	I am the One whom I love
	If They Only Knew
	Kill me, my faithful friends,
	You glide between the heart and its casing
	Your spirit is mingled with mine

Recommended Books

	The Death of Al-Hallaj: A Dramatic Narrative, by Herbert Mason Amazon.com
	Early Islamic Mysticism: Sufi, Quran, Miraj, Poetic and Theological Writings (Classics of Western Spirituality), by Michael A. Sells Amazon.com
	Music of a Distant Drum: Classical Arabic, Persian, Turkish & Hebrew Poems, Translated by Bernard Lewis Amazon.com
	The Passion of Al-Hallaj: Mystic and Martyr of Islam, by Louis Massignon / Translated by Herbert W. Mason Amazon.com
	Perfume of the Desert: Inspirations from the Sufi Wisdom, by Andrew Harvey / Eryk Hanut Amazon.com

Related Links:

	Husayn ibn Mansur al-Hallaj http://www.sufimaster.org/husayn.htm An extended biography on-line.

Please support the Poetry Chaikhana, as well as the authors and publishers of sacred poetry, by purchasing some of the recommended books through the links on this site. Thank you!

Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Hallaj (Mansur al-Hallaj)

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Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World