Islam 101

Lesson 3: Famous Muslim Mystics

Al-Hallaj and `Ayn al-Qudat

In the study of Sufism we find some of the most interesting Muslim lives, which are sometimes the most shocking to Muslim paradigms. An example of this is the mystic Husayn ibn Mansur al-Hallaj, who was born in 857 and executed in 922. He is most famously known for his exclamation “I am the divine truth!”, and many feel this statement indirectly led to his untimely death.

Al-Hallaj began his study as a mystic very early in life, and continued with it for about twenty years, until he gave up on his Sufi masters and began wandering on his own. Through his travels he met mystics of a variety of other religions, which no doubt influenced his thought patterns. In his time, Sufis would keep their mystical revelations to themselves, being an initiated elite. Al-Hallaj was more interested in allowing the common population to understand and potentially experience a mystical union with God for themselves. This line of thought also contributed to his eventual execution.

Most striking about al-Hallaj was his fervent desire to become a martyr. Prior to being executed he spent about eight years in prison, where his many tortures were recorded by his followers. However, he did not resent his persecutors in any way, as he recognized their duty in punishing him. Al-Hallaj's understanding of God and of God's will are confusing to us, just as they were confusing (and frightening) to the Muslims of his day. However, al-Hallaj remained unrepentant in his teachings, and to this day he is one of the more fascinating and unorthodox of the Muslim teachers.

Another Sufi mystic who became the enemy of authorities is `Ayn al-Qudat al-Hamadhani (1098 – 1131 CE). His short life began in Persia, where he was recognized as a master of Islamic science and literature. Like al-Hallaj he would eventually be executed by Muslim authorities.

`Ayn al-Qudat's major transgressions were theological, just as al-Hallaj's were. He spoke of Muhammad and the devil as being manifestations of the same power of God, a claim that would sound heretical to the non-Sufi Muslim. Where Muhammad represented the knowledge of the truth, the devil represented destructive power; where Muhammad pointed towards the divine truth, the devil represented the seductive nature of God's very power, that fascinated and pulled in the mystic. Of course, claims such as these need much theological elaboration to be understood fully – they are presented here in their most simple (and thus most heretical sounding) terms, to give an impression of the teachings of `Ayn al-Qudat. Rather than dismissing them outright, it is most beneficial to investigate them further.

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