The Cross and Steadfastness

In the book “The Cross and Steadfastness: The Life Story of Hallaj,” Seyyed Yahya Yathrebi narrates the life of one of the greatest Iranian mystics, based on reliable historical sources, in a simple and understandable prose style. The author combines mystical perspectives with political aspects and presents Hallaj’s story with a contemporary viewpoint. Seyyed Yahya Yathrebi utilizes works of Hallaj as well as research and studies by scholars like Louis Massignon. The poems included in this book are Arabic quotes from Mansur Hallaj translated into Persian by Yathrebi. Hossein ibn Mansur Hallaj, originally named Abu al-Mughith Abdullah ibn Abi Tahir, was born in 244 AH. He was one of the most famous mystics and poets of the third century AH. His thoughts and beliefs were deemed heretical and deviant from Islamic tenets at the time, leading to his condemnation. In 309 AH, by order of the ruler of Baghdad, for charges of heresy and deviation, he was publicly whipped and tortured, then hanged; his body was later mutilated and burned. This great mystic significantly influenced Persian literature and poetry. Renowned poets such as Hafez, Saadi, Rumi, Attar, and others drew inspiration from him and dedicated poems to him.