Mansour al-Hallaj (also spelled as Mansoor al-Hallaj or Mansur al-Hallaj) is a Persian mystic born in 858 CE in Iran. He is celebrated for his sacrifice towards Worship. He was executed for staying firm on his spiritual Path. He died in 922 CE in Iraq. We will read his biography, teachings, and the Views of Saint Rampal Ji on his biography in this write-up.
Abu 'l-Mugith Al-Husayn bin Mansur al-Hallaj (full name of Mansur) was born in 858 CE in the Fars Province of Iran. He had been doing worship for Eras because of which he had spiritual disposition in that life as well. Allah Kabir made His soul Mansoor take Initiation from a Saint by performing a divine act.
Background: Allah Kabir, as per His Law, met one of His pious souls Samsh Tabrez (Shams Tabrizi) and gave him His Knowledge. He told him that Allah is in human-like Form and His Name is Kabir. He, then, took him to Satlok and left him back in his body. Allah Kabir gave him "Ana'l Haqq" Naam-mantra for recitation. After this, Samsh Tabrez (Shams Tabrizi) started giving Initiation and the Knowledge of Allah Kabir to the people. Some of them took initiation from him. One of them was Mansour al-Hallaj's sister Shimali.
Shimali became a great devotee of Samsh Tabrez (Shams Tabrizi). She used to daily go to his Ashram to serve him and to listen to his spiritual Discourses. Seeing her saintly conduct, her father could not stop her from going to the Saint's Ashram and used to allow her to go there. One day, someone said to Mansoor Hallaj, "Shimali goes to the Ashram daily in the evening time. Stop her from going there. It's a question of honor."
Mansour thought, "Let me follow her today and see what she does there before directly asking her to stop going there." So, that day, when he saw his sister going to the Ashram, he followed her.
On reaching the Ashram, Shimali started doing the Service of the Saint, like washing utensils and clothes. The Ashram was very small. There was a hut inside the Ashram. It was the summer season. The Saint was sitting outside of the hut in the courtyard on a Charpai. Mansour was peeping inside the Ashram through a hole in that wall. After Shimali finished doing the Service, she sat near the Saint and started pressing His Feet. Saint started delivering spiritual Discourses. Every day the Saint used to deliver Discourses for 30 mins. That day, he delivered Discourses for 2 hours. Mansur was paying attention to every word and activity inside because he was looking to find some faults while his soul was satiated on hearing the Spiritual Knowledge.
Then, on the completion of the spiritual Discourses, both the Saint and Shimali raised their hands forward asking for Prasad (Blessed Food) from God. Two bowls filled with Amrit (Nectar) came from above on the hands of both. Shimali drank the whole bowl. The Saint left half of the Nectar and asked Shimali to give the rest of his Nectar to a dog standing outside. When Shimali reached near the wall, Saint said, “Throw the Nectar through the hole else the dog can run away.” Shimali obeyed the Orders and threw the Nectar through the hole with which Mansour was spying on them.
Some of the Nectar touched Mansour's tongue, and all of a sudden Mansour started contemplating, "How bad am I that I thought so wrong about this Great Man! I am the lowest of the low that I doubted the Saint." He started crying and went inside the Ashram. He confessed his bad intentions and asked if he could also be salvaged. The Saint said, "Before taking the initiation, sins like this are forgivable because they were committed unknowingly. If after taking initiation, one develops such thoughts towards their Guru, then that is not forgivable."
Mansour took initiation from the Saint. After this, Mansour and Shimali started going together to the Saint to do the Services.
Reference: Poetic Speeches of Sant Garibdas Ji in the Holy SatGranth Sahib, Parakh ka Ang, Baani No. 53,
Garib, bahouri shamshatabrejkun, samajhaye mansur | Shimali par saka hua, pounhche takhat Hajoor ||53||
And, in Achala ka Ang, Baani No. 369,
Garib, simali kun SatGuru mile, sang bhai manshur | Pyala utra aras te, kaate koun kasur ||369||
Mansour became so engrossed in the worship prescribed by the Gurudev that he started chanting Ana'l Haqq by uttering it. There were some other people also in the locality who were initiated from the Saint but none used to express openly that they do the worship given by the Saint due to the fear of public opinion. But, Mansour was lost in the Love of God.
Ana'l Haqq literally translates as "I am God", which opposes the Muslim beliefs that Allah doesn't come in Form and that no Jeev (living being) can be a God. This is true that no living being can ever be a God, but they misunderstood it. Naam-mantras given during initiation are not to be translated, but just to be chanted as instructed by Gurudev. Contemporary Muslims were offended that Mansour used to say that Allah is in Form, and He looks like a human. He comes with His Body on earth. Muslims started raising issues that Mansour called himself God and whoever called himself God was worthy of being punished. They used to forbid Mansour, but Mansour didn't listen to anyone. People made these complaints with the king, who was also the father of Mansour. Due to the pressure of the public, the king asked his son to stop chanting Ana'l Haqq. But, Mansour kept chanting it. Then, the king had to order punishments for Mansour.
The king asked the public what punishment should be given to him. People said, “Make him stand on a Chauraha (crossroad), and all the people of the city will turn-by-turn throw stones at him. And, before throwing stones, every person would ask him to stop chanting Ana’l Haqq. If he would not stop, then throw stones at him.” The king agreed.
Mansour al-Hallaj was taken on the crossroad. Everyone asked him to stop saying Ana’l Haqq and hurled stones at him while he was smilingly chanting, “Ana'l Haqq. Ana’l Haqq.” His whole body got wounded. Then, Shimali's turn came. Shimali, fearing the public opinion, thought, "I will not throw a stone on brother but will throw flower so that neither would it hurt him nor would the people oppose me." Thinking this, Shimali picked a flower and stood silently before him. Mansour said, “Shimali! Chant Ana’l Haqq!” Shimali threw the flower at him. Mansour started crying bitterly.
Shimali asked, "Oh Mansour! People were throwing stones at you and you were laughing. Did my flower only hurt you so much that you started crying?"
Mansour replied, "Shimali! They knew nothing. They could say anything to me. You know on whom am I dying. How did you raise your hand towards me? Gurudev will not forgive you."
After the entire city had thrown stones at him, they all went to their homes. But, Mansour was still chanting Ana'l Haqq! Ana’l Haqq! Some Muslims again went to the king and said, “He is still chanting Ana’l Haqq. We should ask him to stop chanting Ana’l Haqq else we could cut him off into pieces, and if he wouldn’t stop, we would cut him off into pieces. And, because he is a Kafir, we would burn his body and flow the ashes into the river.” The king agreed.
People went to him and said, "Stop saying Ana'l Haqq, else we will cut off your arm." Mansour raised his arm forward and said, "Ana'l Haqq." They cut off his one arm. They, again, warned him to stop saying Ana'l Haqq else they would also cut off his other arm. Mansour raised his other arm forward and chanted, “Ana'l Haqq.” They cut off his second arm. Then, they again, asked him to stop chanting Ana'l Haqq else they would decapitate him. Mansour, again, said, "Ana'l Haqq. Ana’l Haqq. Ana’l Haqq." They decapitated him.
Muslims bury the dead person's body but for Mansour, they said, "He is a Kafir. Kafirs are burned. Burn him." They burned his body and flowed the ashes into the river. It is said that even his ashes were chanting Ana'l Haqq.
After a short while, there appeared one thousand Mansours in the locality strolling in the streets chanting Ana'l Haqq. People went inside their houses fearing that they might be some ghosts, and also contemplated and repented that they tormented a devotee of Allah.
Reference: Poetic Speeches of Saint Garibdas Ji in the Holy SatGranth Sahib, in Parakh ka Ang, Baani No. 54,
Garib, shik bandhi SatGuru sahi, chakave Gyan amaan| Sheesh katya manasur ka, feri diya jadi daan ||54||
And, in Achala ka Ang Baani No. 370 and 371,
Garib, sheesh katya manshur ka, donon bhuja samet| Shuli chadhya pukarta, kade n chhaadon khet ||370||
Garib, fuk-faak koyale kiye, jal mein diya bahay| Anal haq kehta chalya, chhaada nahin swabhaav ||371||
Sant Rampal Ji gives two Teachings on Mansour al-Hallaj's above-written Tale:
1) It was not because of Ana’l Haqq mantra but the virtues accumulated in some previous lives that made Mansour so engrossed in Worship and show such miracles. Else, there were Shimali and other initiated people also in the city who were also chanting Ana’l Haqq, why did only Mansour had this Power, and none other?
Like, some pious souls with good loads of virtuous deeds of some previous lives go to fake saints. Then, even there they experience some benefits. Just as there is a bowl filled with Ghee, and it also has a Baati (a piece of cotton that lights a Jyot). And, it was lit earlier but it blew out. So, now it has everything prepared: Baati, bowl, and Ghee. Only a lit matchstick is needed to start the Jyoti again. Now, if we don’t put more Ghee into the bowl, then in some times, all the Ghee will get burned and that bowl will become empty. Similarly, pious souls have all the setup ready. And, the fake saints also inspire them to do worship. But, if they don't have a Scripture-based way of Worship like Ghee, then in some times, they become devoid of the Bhakti.
Sant Garibdas Ji says on this—
Peechle hi tap se hot hain purn hans muraad ||
Meaning: Oh pious soul! This is your virtuous deeds of some previous lives only that you are getting benefits.
2) Sant Garibdas Ji says—
Anal hak kehta chala, mansur faansi parvesh|
Jaake upar aisi beete, kaisa hoga vo desh||
Meaning: Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji says that it is a matter of consideration that the Eternal God and His Eternal Place, for attaining which great men have sacrificed to this extent, how beautiful would they be?
The following Baanis are the Poems of Mansour Hallaj taken from the Sacred Book “Mukti Bodh” page no. 201:
Agar hai shouk Allah se milne ka, to hardam naam lou lagata ja ||(Tek)||
Na rakh rouja, na mar bhukha, na masjid ja, na kar sijda |
Vaju ka tod de kuja, sharabe naam jaam peeta ja ||1||
Pakad kar Ishq ki jhaadu, saaf kar dil ke hujre ko |
Dui ki dhul rakh sir par, musalle par udata ja ||2||
Dhaga tod de tasabi, kitaabein daal pani mein |
Masaik bankar kya karna, majikhat ko jalata ja||3||
Kahe Mansur kaaji se, niwala kufar ka mat kha |
Anal Haqq naam bar haq hai, yahi kalama sunata ja ||4||
Meaning: In the above-written Baanis (Poem) of Mansour al-Hallaj, he gives the following teachings:
“Agar hai shouk Allah se milne ka, to hardam naam lou lagata ja ||”
Meaning: Oh seeker! If you want to meet Allah, then keep reciting the Naam-mantra with every breath (Dam).
“Na rakh rouja, na mar bhukha, na masjid ja, na kar sijda|
Vaju ka tod de kuja, sharabe naam jaam peeta ja||1||”
Meaning: Don’t remain hungry by keeping fasts (Roza). Don’t bow (Sijda) in the palace of stone by going to Masjid. (Vaju) Only by bathing in the water, there is no Salvation. The recitation of true Naam-mantra will lead to Salvation. (Kuja tod de) Break the pot, i.e., renounce the misleading path. Keep drinking the alcohol of the recitation of true Naam, i.e., intoxicate yourself with the Naam of God (Ram).
“Pakad kar Ishq ki jhaadu, saaf kar dil ke hujre ko |
Dui ki dhul rakh sir par, musalle par udata ja ||2||”
Meaning: Love God. Clean your heart with the broom of that love. Blow out the dust of (Dui) jealousy, i.e., don’t be jealous; do Worship.
“Dhaga tod de tasabi, kitaabein daal pani mein|
Masaik bankar kya karna, majikhat ko jalata ja ||3||”
Meaning: Break the string of beads (Tasabi), i.e., recite the Mala of Man (mind). Flow the Kitaabs (Quran, Injil, Tawrat, Zaboor — these are called four Kitaabs) into the water. These don’t have the way to attain God. What do you have to do by becoming knowledgeable (Masaik)? Destroy your arrogance (Majikhat).
“Kahe Mansur kaaji se, niwala kufar ka mat kha|
Anal Haqq naam bar haq hai, yahi kalama sunata ja ||4||”
Meaning: Devotee Mansur said to Qazi that— Don’t take the bite of meat. This is Kufr (sin). The Naam Anal Haqq is, in reality, (Haq) true. Keep reciting this (Kalma) Mantra.
God Kabir Ji glorifies devout Sheikh Farid, Baalmmek, and Mansoor Ali in this Hymn who were steadfast for Allah.
Sat Kabir dware tere par ek daas bhikari aaya hai, bhakti ki bhiksha de deejo umeed katora lyaya hai||
Sheikh Farid Jaisa Tap nahee, Mera Baalmeek jaisa Jap nahee|
Mansoor jaisee Analhaq nahee, jisne tukde shareer karwaya hai||
Bhakti ki bhiksha de deejo umeed katora lyaya hai||
Just like Sultan Ibrahim Adham, Bayazid Bastami, and Rumi, Mansour al-Hallaj was also one of the pious souls of Allah Kabir. He remained devoted to the way of Worship told by his Gurudev Samsh Tabrez (Shams Tabrizi) even when everyone was standing against him. He used to say that Allah has a human-like form, and He is not attained by eating meat or by visiting Masjid, etc. Everyone opposed him, but he remained firm on the True Knowledge given by Samsh Tabrez (Shams Tabrizi). Saint Rampal Ji says that such devotion towards worship arises in those only who have been performing the Scripture-based way of Worship for Eras. Also, it is a matter of consideration that the Supreme God and His Place, for attaining which he sacrificed himself to that extent, how beautiful He might be?
Currently, Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj is telling that Scripture-based way of Worship and that True Spiritual Knowledge that can lead to the Eternal God and His Eternal Abode. Take Initiation from Him, and get your welfare done.
Hazrat Mansoor is the title given to Mansur Al Hallaj, a Sufi mystic, and poet who lived from 858 to 922 CE. He was known for his radical teachings, which challenged the orthodox interpretation of Islam. He was eventually executed for heresy, but his legacy continues to inspire Sufis around the world.
Mansoor Al was in the shelter of Samsh Tabrez (Shams Tabrizi), a Muslim saint or Bakhabar to whom Allah Kabir met and shown the eternal place satlok and given the mantra Ana'l Haqq to chant. After that, Samsh Tabrez started giving initiation to the people and knowledge of Allah Kabir. Mansoor Al Halaj's sister has taken initiation from Samsh Tabrez after that Mansur Al Hallaj also took initiation and started practicing the worship of Allah Kabir by chanting the mantra Ana'l Haqq to attain that eternal world, Satlok.
Mansur Al Hallaj's sister Shimali becomes a devoted follower of the devotee of Allah Kabir named Samsh Tabrez. Her father initially permits her visits to the ashram due to her virtuous behavior. Someone suggests to Shimali's brother, Mansour Hallaj, that he should stop her visits for the sake of their family's honor. Curious, Mansour follows Shimali and observes her selfless service at the ashram. He witnesses her serving the saint, listening to his teachings, and even sharing a divine meal of nectar with him. This experience transforms Mansour's perspective, leading him to abandon his doubts and seek spiritual guidance from the saint. After taking initiation, both Mansour and Shimali continue to serve the saint together. Mansour deeply immersed himself in the worship guided by Gurudev, openly chanting "Ana'l Haqq," meaning "I am God." This concept conflicted with Islamic beliefs and offended contemporary Muslims who misunderstood his intentions. They accused him of heresy and complained to the king, who was also Mansour's father.
Mansour al-Hallaj was chanting "Ana'l Haqq," meaning "I am God," given by his gurudev which goes against Muslim beliefs. He faces public opposition, including stoning and amputation, for his beliefs. Despite enduring severe punishments, Mansour didn't change his chant "Ana'l Haqq," and stuck to his belief.
Mansour al-Hallaj was chanting "Ana'l Haqq," meaning "I am God," given by his Gurudev After being pelted with stones, Mansour continues to chant "Ana'l Haqq," asserting his beliefs. Some Muslims complain to the king and propose severe punishment if he doesn't stop. The king agrees. They warn Mansour to stop or he'll lose his arms. He refuses and ends up losing both arms. Even when he's faced with losing his head, Mansour still courageously chants "Ana'l Haqq" his last words and, in the end, gets beheaded.
Mansour deeply immersed himself in the worship guided by Gurudev Samsh Tabrez (Shams Tabrizi), openly chanting "Ana'l Haqq," meaning "I am God." Naam-mantras given during initiation is not to be translated, but just to be chanted as instructed by Gurudev, but the contemporary Muslims understood Mansour's intention wrongly and protested him for chanting the Salvation Mantra.
Mansur al-Hallaj was executed for heresy in 922. His accusers claimed that he was blasphemous for claiming to be one with God. After his death, his ashes reportedly continue to chant "Ana'l Haqq." Eventually, by the power of Almighty Allah Kabir, one thousand Mansours appeared in the locality strolling in the streets chanting Ana'l Haqq, causing fear and regret among the people for mistreating a devotee of Allah.
Mansur Al Hallaj emphasizes the importance of seeking a spiritual connection with Allah through the continuous recitation of the Naam-mantra, rather than mere external practices. Fasting, mosque visits, and ritualistic actions are seen as insufficient for salvation. He focuses on cultivating love for God, purifying the heart, renouncing negative emotions, and rejecting material attachments. He urges breaking away from dogma and bookish knowledge, emphasizing the significance of humility and true devotion. He highlighted the mantra "Anal Haqq" as the essence of truth. The message encourages a deeper, personal connection with the divine Allah Kabir, transcending superficial rituals.
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Arun Kumar
I just got amazed after reading this article. This is the difference between the world and the devotee of God. After reading the story of Mansur Ali, I felt like crying. Thank you so much for this article. Now, I will revert my life to the path of God. But before that, I want full information about Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj and his instructions and rules. How can I get these things?
Satlok Ashram
Thank you so much for your feedback. The aim of human life is only to do devotion to God/Allah Kabir by taking shelter with the true spiritual teacher. In today's world, only Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj is the true Guru, so please take shelter in Him. For deeper knowledge, you can listen to the Satsang (spiritual discourses) on Sadhna TV daily from 7:30 to 8:30 PM onwards.