Welcome to this week's episode of the series "Iranian Notables, Sources of Global Honor". Today, we introduce the viewpoint of the great and acclaimed Iranian poet, Mollana, about the grand Iranian mystic, Hussein ibn Mansour Hallaaj.

The renowned and pre-eminent Iranian mystic of the 3^rd Century AH, Hallaaj, took the world by storm such that even after the passage of several centuries, the Iranian and Western authors continue to speak of, and write about this exceptional and unique Iranian mystic. He maintained many supporters in the different cities of Iran, India, Turkistan, and China.
As a reminder, it was pointed out that despite the utmost efforts of Iranian and non-Iranian researchers and historians, the life of the pre-eminent Iranian mystic of the 3^rd Century AH, Hussein ibn Mansour Hallaaj, has been shrouded in ambiguity. His first name was Hussein, and his father's name was Mansour. Ancient texts have not specified his date of birth. However, some researchers argue that he was born in the year 858 AD, with some others opining that he was born in the year 862 AD. Hallaaj was born in Toor Village within Fars region. In his childhood, he accompanied his family who headed for, and settled in Iraq. He earned the title of Hallaaj, which means cotton-beater. As of a young age, Hallaaj went on a number of journeys in order to acquire knowledge, attending the classes of great lecturers of his day, such as Amr ibn Osman Makki, and the prominent Iranian mystic, Junaid Nahavandi; vastly and swiftly expanding his knowledge. Throughout his life, he performed Hajj rituals, thrice. It is said that wherever he went, he was welcomed by a large number of his fans and followers. His popularity scared and provoked the suspicion of Baghdad rulers. Ultimately, the rulers of Baghdad managed to detain and incarcerate him with the baseless and unfounded accusations that they leveled against Hallaaj, and to issue his death penalty after imprisoning him for eight years. He was hanged in the year 309 AH.

In the works of Arab, Iranian, Turk, Indian, and Malaysian poets, Hallaaj is a true representative of a wholehearted admirer of God Almighty. The supporters of Hallaaj as of his day until the contemporary era, throughout their literary works, especially within the framework of Farsi and Arabic verse, have narrated his life as an exemplary case of a divine mystic, considering him as a role model for future generations.

Mollana Jalal Ed-Din Mohammad Balkhi, popularly known as Molavi, is the famed and renowned Iranian poet of 7^th Century AH, who has repeatedly mentioned Hallaaj in his poems. Mollana has reflected the views of Hallaaj in his works. Molavi also attributed the spiritual guidance of great Iranian poet, Attar, to the influence of Hallaaj on that pre-eminent poet.

In one of his main works, Molavi has included many of the poems and remarks of Hallaaj in the form of excerpts.

The fact of the matter is that based on the mystical and social views of Hallaaj; Molavi sympathized with lower strata of the community and considered Hallaaj as his guide.

MR/ME