How close can we get? <br><br>There is nothing<br>wrapped in my turban<br>but God.<br>—Mansur Al-Hallaj<br><br>No one can claim unity <br>in the madrassah - no,<br>the gallows are where <br>men of monotheism go.<br>—Hallaj<br><br>“I am God” is an expression of great humility. The man who says “I am the slave of God” affirms two existences, his own and God’s, but he that says “I am God” has made himself non-existent and has given himself up, and says “I am naught, He is all: there is no being but God’s.” This is extreme humility and self-abasement. <br><br>This is what ordinary people don’t understand. When they render service in honor of God’s glory, their servanthood is still present. Even though it is for the sake of God, they still see themselves and their own actions as well as God—they are not drowned in the water. That person is drowned when no movement, nor any action belongs to them, all their movements spring from the movement of the water. <br>—Rumi<br><br>👉 <i>he who has made himself non-existent and has given himself up</i>