Hallaj (al-Hallaj)

Al-Hallaj was a Persian mystic and poet from the 9th-10th century, renowned for his deep spiritual devotion to God. He believed in unifying with the divine and expressed this intensely, famously saying, "I am the Truth," which was seen as claiming divine unity. His outspoken spiritual experiences challenged religious authorities, leading to accusations of heresy. Ultimately, he was executed in Baghdad in 922 CE. Al-Hallaj's life reflects the tension between mystical love and religious orthodoxy, and he remains a major figure in Sufi thought, symbolizing the pursuit of divine union.