Allama Iqbal’s name has passed into a legend and it has become “immortal” in the history of
Indo-Pak in golden words. He is the most famous poet, thinker, reformer, philosopher and a great
Muslim Scholar of all Pakistanis young and old alike.
Allama Iqbal was deeply worried with the deplorable conditions of Muslims in India, struggling
hard to get independence from the western powers and to save them from falling into the prey of
Hindu domination. He wrote inspiring poems to awaken the Muslim youths. He gave them the
message to keep relation with their glorious past and should be able to foresee the hurdles of the
future. He realized that the future of Muslims, their religion, culture and heritage is insecure under
Hindu dominated India.
In his poetry, he seeks to re-mould the whole humankind. The philosophy of Allama Iqbal is,
in fact, the philosophy of Islam, based on the Quran and Sunnah. The writings of Iqbal should not be
treated simple words put together like crossword puzzles.
The most popular lesson given by Iqbal is the concept of “Khudi” which means ‘selfhood’,
‘Ego’, or ‘Individuality’. A society can make it unconquerable and may achieve a unique position in the
international community, if it follows the truth explained in his book “BAL-E-JIBRIL” in the following
words.
Exalt thy ego so high that before determining thedestiny,
God Himself will ask what thee want.
Allama Iqbal was not only a great poet but also a great thinker,Philosopher, and political leader.
Iqbal is said to be the first man who gave the idea of Pakistan.He was well-vershed in philosphy,
both Eastern and Western. His poems too expressed this idea in a very forceful way. He put a new
life into the youth of his nation and looked forward to new era of freedom and achievements.
Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal, A Philosopher Poet, A Genius Linguist, A Man of Foresight, A Man of
Strong Faith in All Mighty God, A Man of Peace and Unity, A Man of Justice and Equality, A Man of
Love and Humility, A Man of Wisdom and above all, The Artist of First Ever Islamic Republic, which
got freedom in name of Islam.
Allama Iqbal was a great Philosopher-Poet of Asia. As a matter of fact he deserves this title.He is
one of most outstanding poets, writers, intellectuals and thinkers of modem times.When he began
to write poetry, Islam was passing through a critical phase. In india the Muslims were being
rapidly dominated by Hindus. He placed before people his philosophy of self-realization. His poetry
is full of force and enthusiasm.
The important role that Iqbal played in the political life of the subcontinent, especially as architect
of Pakistan, will be appreciated from the following message Quaid-i-Aazam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
sent to his son:
"To me he was a friend, guide and philosopher, and during the darkest moments through which
the Muslim League had to go he stood like a rock, and never flinched one single moment."
He was elected Member of the Punjab Legislative Assembly.In 1930 Iqbal was elected President of
the Muslim League session held at Allahabad.In 1931 he attended the Round Table Conference
which met in London to frame a constitution for India and took active Part in its various
committees.He was the first to give a concrete shape to the Muslim aspirations in India for a
separate homeland.
” The Muslims wish to lead a life of freedom and honour. They want to live as a nation and this
can be achieved if they have a separate Islamic state”. (Two nation theory, 1930)
Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, A Man who loved his people, who was not like ordinary leaders, who was not
power or fame hungry, found out the right person for administration and management for
Independent Muslim State Resolution and handed over all authorities of All India Muslim League to
him. This dynamic and bright leader of Indian Muslims was the famous Barrister Mr. Muhammad
Ali Jinnah.
Dr. Muhammad Iqbal kept on playing his role after handing over affairs to Mr. Jinnah. Dr.
Muhammad Iqbal kept on reminding the principles and keys of success to Mr. Jinnah:
Nigah buland,sukhan dil’nawaz,jaan pur’soz
Yehi hai rakht-e-safar meer-e-karwan k liye
Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, The Originator of Two Nation Theory on the basis of which, a
freeIndependent Muslim State Pakistan was created on August 14th, 1947, passed away
beforePakistan's emergence on the globe and never had an opportunity to watching his dream
coming true. But Pakistan, which is 60 years old now by the grace of Allah Almighty, stood up in
August 1947 as per dreams and desires of it's great architect:
Who shamma bujh gaee magar us k farogh se
Qandeel-e-arzoo hai farozaan usi terha
Lahore is that City of Pakistan, which is given this honour of being the final residence of the great
Philosopher Poet Dr. Muhammad Iqbal .
In March 1938, Allama Iqbal fell ill very seriously. Despite the best medical help and the most
careful nursing, the poet-philosopher of Islam died in the early hours of 21st April, 1938.
Aasma teri lahed per shabnum afshaani karey
Sabza-e-norasta iss ghar ki nigehbani karey
His poetry was so popular especially among the youth that nearly every student had memorized
some of his verses. As a matter of fact Allama Iqbal inspired Muslim youth and students of colleges
who played an important role in Pakistan movement.
"After me they will read my poetry, grasp it and say,
A self-conscious man has revolutionised the world.”
Allama Muhammad Iqbal is one of the most outstanding poet-philosophers of the Indian sub-
continent belonging to the modern period. His intellectual genius has reigned supreme in the arena
of Islamic philosophy during the twentieth century and is likely to direct and influence the Islamic
Intellectual tradition in the twenty first century as well. His sublime poetry and philosophy inspired
millions of Muslims to wake up to the reality of the times and forge a destiny for themselves.
Iqbal was deeply concerned with the Youth of that time. He was very much clear to the fact that if
Youngsters had focused their real destiny then they could have led the Muslims of Sub-Continent
out of the danger of destruction earlier than they did.
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Iqbal's Nojwan is a True Muslim, Mard-e-Momin, Mojahid, Shaheen, Man of Khudi and an Optimistic
person who can pull down the stars to himself. Iqbal says:
"Mohabbat Mojhe Un Nojawanon Se Hai
Sitaron Pe Dalte Hain Jo Kamand"
"I have love for those youngsters who pull the stars down"
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Iqbal's Nojawan is creative nojwan. He is Shaheen who hunts and then takes. Iqbal says:
"Wuhi Jahan hai tira jis ko tu kare paida
Yeh sang-o-khisht naheen jo tiree nigah men hai"
"Your world is (only) the one which you create yourself,
Not these stones and bricks, which are in sight"
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Youngsters provide the leadership that lead the nation to the heights of self determination. Iqbal’s
notion of Leadership is best exemplified in his concept of mard-i-mu’min, i.e. the perfect man.
Iqbal says of him:
“He (mu’min) is mild in speech and wild in action.
Be it battlefield or the assembly of friends, he is pure of heart and action.”
He also says:
"The destiny of nations is vested with the individuals. Similarly every person belonging to the
Muslim Ummah is its destiny's star."
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Iqbal wants his Nojwan to have The best knowledge and that was the knowledge of Quran. This idea
is more clearly expressed in the following Qit’ah taken from Armughan-i-Hijaz:
Keep the Qur’an as a mirror before you.
You have completely changed, run away from yourself.
Fix a balance for your deeds [so that you may be able to],
Stir a commotion which your forbears stirred in the past.”
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He also feels uncomfortable with the way the knowledge is being transfered to the Youth. He says
"Shikayat Hai Mojhe Ya Rab Un khudawandan-e-Maktab se"
"Sabaq Shaheen Bachon Ko De Rahe Hain Khak Bazi Ka"
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Iqbal wants his Nojwan to stay away from the gilitering culture of the west. Western culture is a
blend of matter and material pleasure where lust, selfishness and many other wrongs are
prevailing.Therefore no good could be expected from them.Iqbal said to Muslims:
"Western nations are based on territory and race. Whereas the strength of your community
rests on the might of your religion". (Bang-e-Dara).
Iqbal also says:
Utha na sheesha garan-e-farang ke ihsan
Seefaale Hind Se Beena-o-Jam Paida Kar
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Iqbal's philosophy of khudi shows that man is neither soul nor body. Man is above both because he
pessesses them. Iqbal's nojawan is a Man of Khudi. The absolute Khudi is infinetly creative. "Know
thy self and success shall be thine" said by some Philosopher. Iqbal expresses if man becomes
empror of himself then he can lead the world to his own direction. He says:
"The man of strong character who is master of himself
will find fortune complaisant.
....
He will dig up the foundations of the universe
and cast its atoms into a new mould.
He will subvert the course of Time
And wreck the azure firmament.
By his own strength he will produce
A new world which will do his pleasure."
Iqbal, to disgrace pride and richness, says:
"Mera Tareeq Amiri Nahi Faqeeri Hai
Khudi Na Baech Ghareebi Main Nam Paida Kar"
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Iqbal discourage youngsters to get indulged in the pride and gilitters of the current Era and western
Era. In a poem "Javed Se", He says:
"Gharat Gar Deen Hai Yeah Zamana
Hai Iss Ki Nihad Kafirana
Johar Main Ho La-Ila-Ha To Kya Khof
Taleem Ho Go Farangiyana
Dehkan Agar Na Ho Tan Aasan
Har Dana Hai Sad Hazar Dana"
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Iqbal's youth must be equipped with the Fikr, Thinking of truth that gives warmth, richness, beauty
and charm to one's life, and that Fiqr is Hijazi Fiqr. Iqbal says:
"Yeah Fiqre Ghayyoor Jis Ne Paya
Ba Taegh-o-Sanan Mard-e-Ghazi"
He also says:
"Nudrat-i-fikr-o-amal se mucjzat-i-zindgi
Nudrat-i-fikr-o-amal se sang-i-khara lal-i-nab"
"Miracles of life are always the product
of innovation in thought and action,
Innovation of thought and action can
transform granite into a real ruby,"
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Iqbal's feels if the Youth of any nation is lazy or indulged in wrong then no one can stop nation to
be ruined. Iqbal in his poem "Iblees ki Majlis-e-Shoora" expresses this idea where Iblees is giving
instructions to his workers. i.e:
Aane Wale Se Maseeha Naasri Maqsood Hai
Ya Mujadad Jis Mein Ho Farzand-e-Mariyam Ka Sifat
Mast Rakkho Zikr-o-Fiqr Subho-Gahi Mein Esa
Pukhta Tar Kar Do Mizaj-e-Khankahi Main Esa
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As a conclusion, In Iqbal's eyes Youth is representative of the nation, not only of the current nation
but also of the nations to come, i.e thay will set a stage for next generation. If Nojawans are True
Muslims and have Fourteen qualities of a true leader that are written in the verses of"Surah
Bakara" in Quran Sharif then nation can prosprous itself and if it is other wise then nothing can
stop them to be ruined. But Iqbal is optimistic and says.
Nahi Na Ummeed Iqbal Apni Kisht-e-Veeran Se
Zara Nam Ho To Yeah Matti Bari Zarkhez Hai Saki
