It is also said that his father's name was ʿAbdallāh. He was among the Sufi meşāyīh (spiritual masters). He had made it his vird (daily litany) to perform 500 rakʿāt (units of prayer) every day and night. Because of the following poem, he gave himself the nickname "the Liar Semnūn":
"I have no share in anyone but You.
Test me however You will."
He had difficulty performing wuduʾ (minor ablution). He would visit schools and tell small children: "Call your uncle Semnūn the Liar!"
The work titled Kalām Matīn fī al-Maḥabba (A Strong Discourse on Love) is attributed to him. Toward the end of his life, he was afflicted with waswās (obsessive doubts). The work Kalām fī al-Maḥabba al-Mustaqīm (Discourse on the Straight Love) is also attributed to him.