Al-Hallaj Mansur’s (may Allah be pleased with him) Supplication
It is narrated that the following supplication of Al-Mansur al-Hallaj, made before his execution, beautifully exemplifies the level of his love for Allah and his sincerity. These supplications not only carry a Sufi depth but also indicate spiritual maturity.
AL-HALLÂJ MANSÛR’S (MAY ALLAH BE PLEASED WITH HIM) SUPPLICATION
“O Allah! Your servants gathered to kill me because of their closeness to You and their adherence to their religion. Forgive them, for if You had bestowed upon them the secrets that You granted me, they would not have thought ill of me. And if You had concealed from them what You revealed from me, I would not have disclosed it. O Lord, forgive them! For they are bringing me closer to You.” This supplication reflects Al-Hallaj Mansur’s submission and deep devotion to Allah.
It is transmitted from those who witnessed al-Hallaj’s state in the realm of meaning that when he was hanged, Iblis (Satan) approached him and:
“–You said ‘I’ (ene)[1], and I also said ‘I’. How is it that mercy descends upon you and curse upon me?”
Al-Hallaj responded to Iblis:
“–You declared yourself superior to Adam by saying ‘I,’ revealing your pride. As for me, I said ‘Ana al-Haqq’ (I am the Truth), annihilating myself in the Truth. Manifesting selfhood is a sign of arrogance, which leads to Hell. Annihilating selfhood, that is, becoming non-existent (fani) in the Truth, is an expression of ‘nothingness.’ Therefore, mercy descends upon me and curse and humiliation upon you.”
It is narrated that al-Hallaj said to Ibrahim bin Fatik, who visited him:
“O my son! Some people believe I have fallen into disbelief, while others consider me a saint. In the sight of Allah and in my own view, those who declare my disbelief are more beloved than those who say I am a saint.”
“Why do you say this, O Master?” he was asked, and he replied:
“Those who believe me to be a saint do so because of their good opinion of me; those who declare my disbelief do so because of their adherence to their religion. He who shows loyalty to his religion is more beloved in the sight of Allah than one who merely harbors a good opinion.”
These words demonstrate one of the ways of humility and reaching the truth.
Footnote:
[1]. Ene: A personal pronoun in Arabic meaning “I.”