On The Birth Anniversary of Dr Allama Iqbal

By Editor on 9th November 2024 • ( 0 )

On The Birth Anniversary of Dr Allama Iqbal

November 9th is Iqbal Day that marks the birth anniversary of Dr Allama Iqbal, a poet and philosopher, who awakened the slumbering Muslims of the Sub-continent. He gave the philosophy of self-cognition to all humans without discrimination of cult, creed, class and colour. He wrote against British colonialism and infused the spirit of freedom in the Indians.

Dr Iqbal was like a two-edged sword. On one hand, he presented Islam as a revolutionary, practical and rational religion, that discards the retrogressive, dogmatic and irrational approach to religion.

Like Aldous Huxley, he believed in rational religion. He was a great spiritualist and hailed from Sufi family, but he interpreted Muslim Sufism as a spiritual dynamic force that purifies souls and fights against the evil fascist forces.

He shunned the dormant and decadent concept of traditional Sufi cult. He did not believe in monarchy and monasticism. He was a philosopher, poet and political activist and a mentor of intellectuals and politicians. He gave the idea of Muslim State in the Sub-continent, which eventually emerged in the shape of Pakistan.

It is pertinent to mention that his interpretation of Islam is very near to the real Islamic teachings. The educated and progressive minds understand Islam through his writings. As he was adept in Philosophy and religion, his mindset was very apt to delve deep into the correct comprehension of Islam.

He totally rejected traditional Sufism, Mullahism, sectarianism, capitalism and monarchy. He gave a clarion call of human dignity, liberty, justice and peace. He was a seer, visionary and futurist. His predictions proved true and that shows sublimity and accuracy of his vision. He is known as a Modern spiritualist, who was deeply concerned with the humanitarian values and Positive Spiritualism.

He gave the message of Islamic Renaissance and Muslim unity. He believed Islam to be a final message of God which was the Religion of Humanity. He took Islam as a complete Code of life that needs both, Jehad and Ijtehad. He diametrically opposed the sectarian and retrogressive approach of the clergy and stressed on the enlightened approach in the matters of religion.

My book titled “The Message of Iqbal”, published by Iqbal Academy, Lahore in 2002 throws ample light on the revolutionary and universal aspects of his poetry and philosophy.

It is imperative to mention that Pakistan was created to implement the Islamic principles and make it a democratic welfare state. He rejected hegemony and obduracy of sectarianism. It is unfortunate that we are still under the stone wall of Mullahism.

He rejected traditional Sufism, asceticism, sectarianism and monasticism but we are still enmeshed in these pseudo spiritual traditions.

He rejected feudalism, but still our rulers or feudal lords. He rejected capitalism but we are still enslaved in the shackles of capitalists.

He rejected fascism; we still flutter like bruised birds in the cages of dictatorship. What he preached, we did not act.

The question arises as to what about Pakistan’s Identity and ideology? Is it the Pakistan envisaged by Dr Allama Iqbal? Not at all. Today, we are like stray cattle in the desert of destruction and despondency. Unless, we implement the ideology of Dr Allama Iqbal, we cannot achieve our cherished dreams and destined goals. In a Persian couplet, he had announced the mission of his poetry in these words:

نغمہ کجا و من کجا، سازِسخن بہانہ ایست

سُوۓ قطار میکشم ناقۂ بی زمام را

(What I have to do with versification?
The poetry writing is just an excuse:
I am trying to bring to line the stray camel).

The stray camel needs to be lined up, otherwise, total chaos. We need honest, educated, vibrant, visionary, efficient, capable, patriotic and dynamic leadership to take our sinking boat to the shore of peace and prosperity.