MANSOOR AL HALLAJ

Al Hallaj Mystic and Martyr

Al Halláj was a legendary Iranian Sufi master who lived in between 858 - 922 AD. Al Hallaj was one of the earliest Sufi masters, he lead his life as a dervish wanderer, he would often go into trans where he felt one with all the creation, existence, with God. He once said "Ana al-haqq" ("I am the Truth"--i.e., God), something people at the time found offensive and could not understand, because of that. Al Hallaj was persecuted and found guilty of heresy. He found an unfortunate and brutal death (for further details please see Death of Al Hallaj). Al Hallaj before put to death said:
Now stands no more between Truth and meOr reasoned demonstration,Or proof of revelation;Now, brightly blazing full, Truth's luminationEach flickering, lesser light.
Al Hallaj inspired many subsequent Sufi mystics including Rumi. Here are two poems where Rumi talks about al Hallaj, following is al Hallaj's poem on God.

˜
The Sunrise Ruby
In the early morning hour,

just before dawn,

lover and beloved wakeand take a drink of water.
She ask, "Do you love me or yourself more?

Really, tell the absolute truth."
He says, "There’s nothing left of me.

I’m like a ruby held up to the sunrise.

Is it still a stone, or a worldmade of redness?

It has no resistanceto sunlight."
This is how Hallaj said, I am God,

and told the truth!
The ruby and the sunrise are one.

Be courageous and discipline yourself.
Completely become hearing and ear,

and wear this sun-ruby as an earring.
Work. Keep digging your well.

Don’t think about getting off from work.

Water is there somewhere.
Submit to a daily practice.

Your loyalty to thatis a ring on the door.
Keep knocking, and the joy inside

will eventually open a windowand look out to see who’s there."