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Muslim / Sufi

9th Century

Iran/Persia
(Middle East)

Mansur al- Hallaj

Timeline (9th Century)

Poems by Mansur al- Hallaj
Books - Links

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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.

The name Hallaj means "wool carder," probably a reference to his family's traditional occupation. 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.

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 Mansur al- Hallaj

	I am the One whom I love
	I Witnessed My Maker
	If They Only Knew
	Kill me, my faithful friends
	Stillness
	You glide between the heart and its casing
	You Went Away but Remained in Me
	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
	Islamic Mystical Poetry: Sufi Verse from the Early Mystics to Rumi, Translated by Mahmood Jamal 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 Sufi Wisdom, by Andrew Harvey / Eryk Hanut Amazon.com
	Sufi Poems: A Mediaeval Anthology, Translated by Martin Lings Amazon.com

Related Links:

	Husayn ibn Mansur al-Hallaj http://www.sufimaster.org/husayn.htm An extended biography on-line.
	The Tawasin of Mansur Al-Hallaj http://www.leapinglaughter.org/archive/tawasin/index.htm A complete translation of Mansur's Tawasin.
	Barbar: a poetry and translation blog: Hallaj http://adamahmed.blogspot.com/search/label/Hallaj Some lovely original translations of works by Hallaj. Explore the blog further for several excellent translations by other poets, as well.

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

Mansur al- Hallaj

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Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Support
the Poetry Chaikhana