Allama Muhammad Iqbal was an important South Asian Muslim writer, philosopher, and politician. His poetry is considered to be some of the best in the twentieth century. His vision for the Muslims of British-ruled India led to the creation of Pakistan. In fact, many of his writings were the inspiration for the creation of that nation.
Poet
Allama Muhammad Iqbal is regarded as one of the greatest poets of the twentieth century. A South Asian Muslim writer and philosopher, he is best known for his poems, which are often considered the best in the history of the twentieth century. Iqbal’s poetry was a major influence on the founding of the nation of Pakistan. His poetry captures the ideals of Muslims living in British-ruled India.
His early life was marked by a deep interest in poetry. His love for the Persian language led him to write his poetry in that language. After studying in the west, he returned to India where he worked as a professor of philosophy at the Government College Lahore. He also served as a member of the Muslim League, and contributed to the movement for freedom.
Iqbal also used nature as a metaphor for human nature, using nature to illustrate his message. He used the nightingale and rose as metaphors for two opposing elements. However, he found that man must be separated from the nightingale because creativity will die when the two come together. Similarly, Iqbal’s favorite flower was the tulip. It is often associated with the bloodshed and martyrs’ shroud, but tulips are also associated with the flame. Thus, the tulip is also a symbol of man.
Iqbal studied at the Government College of Lahore where his professor of philosophy, Sir Thomas Arnold, influenced his work and inspired him to go to the west for his higher education. He traveled to England in 1905 and obtained a Bachelor of Arts at Trinity College, Cambridge. He was later called to the bar at Lincoln’s Inn. Later, he went to Germany to study for his doctorate. While he was in Germany, he was influenced by philosophers like Nietzsche, Kant, and Bergson.
Philosopher
The Philosophy of Allama Muhammad Iqbal aims to motivate human beings to develop their full potential. He is an ardent supporter of Islam, but also recognises the positive aspects of other religions. He advocates a more cohesive Muslim world, while criticizing nationalism and religious bigotry.
Iqbal wrote poems that inspired his readers, and many of his poems are soul-stirring. During his lifetime, many compilations of his poetry were published, and these poems are still read today by his devotees. One of his most famous poems is “Shikwa” (Complaint). Iqbal addressed this poem to the entire Muslim world.
Iqbal was born in Sialkot, Punjab. He grew up in a Muslim family. He completed his B.A. and M.A. degrees at Government College Lahore. He then taught Arabic at the Oriental College Lahore from 1899 to 1903. While teaching at the Oriental College, Iqbal wrote prolifically. He composed his most famous works during this period, including “Parinde ki Faryad” (A Song for the Sun), and “Tarana-e-Hindi” (A Patriotic Song). In 1905, Iqbal travelled to England to further his studies.
Iqbal’s philosophy centers around the concept of khudi, which means “self”. He argues that man has a huge responsibility as the representative of God on earth. Consequently, he tries to strengthen his selfhood and assimilate divine characteristics into his personality.
In addition to his poetry, Iqbal was an active participant in the Muslim League and the Khilafat movement. He remained in contact with Muslim leaders and supported India’s involvement in World War I. However, he disliked the Indian National Congress, which he saw as being dominated by Hindus. He was also dissatisfied with the Muslim League’s factional divisions in the 1920s.
Reformer
Allama Muhammad Iqbal was one of the foremost reformers of Islam. He emphasized that Islam is a system of values that is best understood within a Muslim context. His work is rich in philosophical, theological, and political arguments. Ultimately, he presents a framework for an alternative western view of Islam. Despite this, he never departs from the history of the Muslim ummah.
Allama Iqbal was an influential philosopher, poet, and politician. He was known for his works on the philosophy of Islam, and for first proposing an independent state for Muslims in India. These ideas eventually led to the formation of Pakistan. He is sometimes referred to as the “Scholar of Islam.”
Iqbal firmly believed that the moral excellence of man is the highest qualification. He felt that Islam had to play a central role in social justice. It is important to note that Iqbal had a working-class background, although his elder brother joined the Army’s Mechanical Engineering Services, which allowed him to rise to the middle class.
Iqbal’s reforms of Islam were not without controversy. Many intellectuals have criticised Iqbal’s embrace of Nietzsche’s concept of the “Ubermensch,” which he used to describe the ego and self. Critics have also questioned his rejection of Western influences.
During the Third Round-Table Conference, Iqbal opposed the Congress and its desire to transfer power without giving the Muslim provinces autonomy. He also served as the president of the Punjab Muslim League, and delivered speeches and articles that tried to unite all Muslims in India. Iqbal frequently criticized feudal classes in Punjab and other Muslim leaders who were not supportive of the League.
Politician
South Asian Muslim writer, philosopher, and politician Allama Muhammad Iqbal is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures of the twentieth century. His poetry, which is considered one of the finest of the 20th century, evokes an ideal of Muslim life in British-ruled India. His words and vision have become the inspiration behind the creation of Pakistan.
Iqbal grew up in a Muslim family and studied law in Germany and England, but his focus was more on Islamic matters. Throughout his life, Iqbal wrote scholarly works on a variety of topics, including law and politics. While his most well-known works are his poetry, he is also a prolific author of political commentary. His political works have earned him the title “Iqbal of Lahore.”
In 1931, Iqbal became president of the Punjab Muslim League. His role in this organization was to promote the Muslim cause in the state. Iqbal’s efforts in this area helped create the Glancy Commission, which was appointed to investigate the July 1931 massacre. In addition, in 1933, Iqbal wrote to the Viceroy of India, expressing his concern over the deteriorating situation in Kashmir and urging the Dogra government not to use coercion.
Iqbal was persuaded by his friends to run for a seat in the Punjab Legislative Assembly in Lahore. Mian Abdul Aziz opposed him, but Iqbal won the election by more than three-hundred votes. Iqbal’s speeches called for Muslim unity and urged Muslims to form a homeland.
Iqbal’s political career spanned over four decades. He wrote a number of political and literary works and was an active member of the Muslim League in London. He also joined the Anjuman-i-Himayat-i-Islam (AHI), a Muslim intellectual congress. In addition to politics, Iqbal also focused on spiritual development. He was deeply influenced by the work of Western philosophers, such as Friedrich Nietzsche and Henri Bergson.
Advocate of ijma’-consensus
The ijma’ is the primary source of Islam, and it must be followed by muslims. It is a process that continues until the end of this world. The four main schools of sunni thought accept that ijma’ is not limited to a specific era or country. Rather, it is the consensus of the jurists of a certain time and place.
According to Iqbal, if the opinion of the majority of Muslim men and women is based on reason, then it is a valid Islamic source. In fact, the word ‘ijma’ means the opinion of the majority of Muslims, and ‘qiyas means reasoning.’ His philosophy is most applicable to the Muslim community today, as he saw the spirit of Islam as reformative and humanistic. In addition, he found inherent principles of reform and change in the formal interpretation of Islam. This is a movement to adjust to the ever-changing reality.
Ijma’ is the shared decision of the majority of Muslims about how to practice Islam. The concept of Ijma’ is fundamental to Sunni Islam. Sunni Muslims view authority over religion and politics as a collective, rather than individual, authority. This means that no individual can claim special interpretations of Islamic law, or determine which practices are authentic.
The ijma’ is generally seen as the most important element of Islam. It confirms the Qur’an, individual hadith reports, and more. This is crucial because Sunni Islam lacks a central authority.