summary of basheer's short stories
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Anal Haq is a short story based on the life of the renowned Sufi Mansur Al-Hallaj, who was indicted and killed on charges of heresy.[1] It is part of the collection Anargha Nimisham, written by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer in typical Khalil Gibran style,
Hussain bin Mansoor [sic] Al-Hallaj was condemned to hang by the neck for shouting in ecstasy Ana al Haq, Ana al Haq (I am the Truth, I am the Truth). The orthodox understood this to mean that he was claiming to be God himself, whereas he had proclaimed in his sublime spiritual ecstasy, simply a total annihilation of himself. Mansoor Al-Hallaj climbed the gallows with his head held high, not the least daunted by his imminent death. Nor could his shouts be drowned in the tumult of abuses which were hurled at him; they rose loud and clear and high Anal-Haq, Anal-Haq until his soul departed to the fountainhead of his life on high.