The votes are in, the die is cast
As orthodoxy stands aghast.

The molders of the ummah's mind
Reflexively profess to find

In 'Ana'l-Haqq' — I am the Truth —
An imprint of the devil's hoof.

While learned elders slip away
to stroke their grizzled beards and pray,

The torturer receives his brief:
To break all bones, if not belief.

And thus is moral outrage bent
Once more to murderous intent.



NOTE 1: Mansur al-Hallaj (c. 858 - March 26, 922) was a Persian
mystic, writer and teacher of Sufism. He was tortured and pub-
licly crucified (in some accounts he was beheaded and his hands
and feet were cut off) by the Abbasid rulers for what they
deemed "theological error threatening the security of the state".
The charge of "theological error" arose from his mystical state-
ment "Ana'l-Haqq", or "I am the Truth" (with a capital T). Since
Al-Haqq is one of the names of Allah, the claim was considered
blasphemous. Wikipedia comments: "His example is seen by some
as one that should be emulated, especially his calm demeanor in
the face of torture and his forgiving of his tormentors. Many
honor him as an adept who came to realize the inherent divine
nature of all men and women."

NOTE 2: Ummah: Muslim community.



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