Hussain Bin Mansur Al-Hallaj’s Theopatic Experience of Esoteric Spirituality and the Role of ‘Ana Al-Haqq’ in Mysticism

Abstract

Al-Hallaj known as the ‘Mystic Martyr’ of Islam and he is considered ‘apex of mystical Union’ in Sufism. He occupied such distinguished place due to his esoteric epistemology, spiritual theology and on the basis of his “theopathic locutions” particularly the ecstatic utterance of “Anna al-Haqq” This ecstatic and illuminating exclamation turned into a historical debate much-loved as well as cause of controversial debates. It became the centre of mystical interpretations, theological debates, philosophical discussions and legal controversies. It became turning point and nexus of controversies regarding the questions about the ontological relationship between God and Humanity particularly the premier of the metaphysical perspectives of the doctrines of Wahdat al-Wujūd (Unity of Being) and Wahdat al-Shuhūd (Unity of Witnessing). It highlighted other problems such as Psychology of Mystic Experience, the Ontological Nature of the Universe, Attributes of God, Unity and Plurality of Beings, Human Consciousness, Day of Resurrection etc. The epistemological meanings of al-Hallaj’s mystical experience were hailed by some Sufis but for some others including Orthodox and common people it was regarded as blasphemous and subject to ‘fatawas’ as heretic ‘Zindiqi’ which led to Al-Hallaj’s crusification and miserable death. This research examines the perspectives and meanings of the psychological and ecstatic experience of “Ana al-Ḥaqq”, the historical traces and future impacts of the doctrine along-with the metaphysical approaches and political controversies that occurred afterwards and concluding Hallāj's spiritual status in Sufism in the eyes of other Sufis.

Keywords: Al-Haqq, Ecstasy, Esoteric, Exoteric, Theopathic, Wah’dat al-wa’jood’, ‘Wah’dat al-Sha’hood’