*Commemorating the Death Anniversary of Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal*
Rasheed Ahmad Chughtai
www.rachughtai.com
21st April – Honoring the Visionary Scholar, Poet, and Philosopher of Pakistan
Each year, on the 21st of April, Pakistan and the wider Muslim world solemnly observe the death anniversary of Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal—a philosopher, poet, jurist, visionary, and the ideological father of Pakistan. Known as “Shair-e-Mashriq” (Poet of the East), “Mufakkir-e-Pakistan” (Thinker of Pakistan), and “Hakeem-ul-Ummat” (The Sage of the Ummah), Iqbal’s intellectual and poetic contributions were instrumental in awakening the Muslim consciousness during British colonial rule.
Iqbal’s legacy is not limited to the poetic domain; he laid the philosophical groundwork for an Islamic renaissance and envisioned a future where Muslims could live with dignity, freedom, and self-respect. His thought remains deeply relevant in today’s socio-political and ideological struggles within Pakistan and the broader Muslim world.
*Iqbal’s Vision of an Independent Muslim State*
Iqbal’s famous Allahabad Address of 1930 was a turning point in the history of the subcontinent. In this historic speech, he was the first to outline the concept of a separate Muslim state in India, grounded in Islamic principles and cultural identity:
> “I would like to see the Punjab, North-West Frontier Province, Sindh, and Baluchistan amalgamated into a single state. Self-government within the British Empire or without the British Empire, the formation of a consolidated North-West Indian Muslim state appears to me to be the final destiny of the Muslims.”
This proposal was not merely territorial—it was rooted in a deeper ideological framework. Iqbal envisioned a state based on Islamic values of justice, equality, and collective well-being—a spiritual democracy where sovereignty belongs to Allah and the welfare of the people is paramount.
*Iqbal’s Message through Poetry and Philosophy*
Iqbal’s poetry in both Urdu and Persian served as a vehicle to revive Islamic values, inspire self-confidence among Muslims, and counter Western materialism. His major poetic works include:
Bang-e-Dra (1924) – Awakening the Muslim youth
Asrar-e-Khudi (1915) and Rumuz-e-Bekhudi (1918) – His Persian masterpieces on individual and collective identity
Payam-e-Mashriq (1923) – A message from the East to the West
Zarb-e-Kaleem (1936) – His intellectual rebellion against the West
Javed Nama (1932) – A mystical, spiritual journey through the cosmos
Khudi (Selfhood) – The Essence of Iqbal’s Thought
Iqbal’s central message revolves around “Khudi”—the self, the ego, the soul. He believed that an awakened self can transform not only the individual but also the society.
> خودی کو کر بلند اتنا کہ ہر تقدیر سے پہلے
خدا بندے سے خود پوچھے، بتا، تیری رضا کیا ہے
> Raise your ‘Khudi’ so high that even before destiny takes its course,
God Himself will ask you, “What is your will?”
Iqbal’s idea of Khudi is spiritual empowerment—one that resists slavery, whether physical, political, or mental.
*Unity of the Muslim Ummah*
Iqbal passionately called for Muslim unity beyond race, ethnicity, and borders. He was a strong advocate of Pan-Islamism and lamented the fragmentation of the Ummah.
> گفتار کے اسلوب پہ قابو نہیں رہتا
جب روح کے اندر نہ رہے دردِ محمدی
> The style of speech becomes hollow,
When the soul no longer carries the pain of the Prophet (PBUH).
Iqbal believed that without a shared ideological and spiritual foundation, Muslim nations would remain weak and divided. His admiration for the Ottoman Caliphate and his support for the Khilafat Movement highlight his belief in a united Islamic political vision.
Social Justice and Anti-Corruption
Iqbal condemned economic disparity and moral decay in society. He was against capitalism, feudalism, and unchecked power.
> اُٹھا نہ شیشہ گرانِ فرنگ کے احساں
سفالِ ہند سے مینا و جام پیدا کر
> Do not beg from the glass-makers of the West,
Create your own goblets and wine-cups from the clay of India.
Iqbal envisioned Pakistan as a welfare state, echoing the Riyasat-e-Madina, where the state serves the people, ensures justice, and upholds accountability.
*Reconstruction of* *Religious Thought in Islam* – *Iqbal’s Intellectual Legacy*
Iqbal’s seminal work, “The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam,” consists of a series of lectures in which he presents a profound reinterpretation of Islamic philosophy. He called for a modern Ijtihad (independent reasoning) to address contemporary challenges facing the Muslim world.
> “Islam is the only system that can harmonize spiritual idealism with social practicality.”
“The task before modern Muslim scholars is nothing less than the reconstruction of Islamic thought in light of modern knowledge.”
In this work, Iqbal blends Islamic metaphysics with modern science and reason. He emphasized that Islam is a dynamic religion, not confined to rituals but meant for the upliftment of society through intellectual vigor and spiritual depth.
Iqbal’s Persian Poetry – A Bridge Between Civilizations
Iqbal wrote more than two-thirds of his poetry in Persian, the classical language of Islamic philosophy. His Persian verses often reflect deeper metaphysical themes.
> خیز و در کعبہ نشین، خویش را قبله گذار
کہ ز خاک تو توان ساختن اک ملت را
> Rise and sit in the Kaaba, and make your selfhood the new Qibla,
For from your dust, a new nation can be born.
In poems like “Asrar-e-Khudi” and “Payam-e-Mashriq,” he called upon Eastern nations to reclaim their intellectual and moral superiority, lost to Western colonization.
Pakistan Today – A Mirror to Iqbal’s Dreams?
Sadly, the Pakistan that Iqbal envisioned remains a work in progress. Today’s reality stands in stark contrast to his dream:
Political instability and weak leadership
*Corruption and elite capture*
Widening economic inequality
Religious intolerance and sectarianism
Educational decline and lack of scientific innovation
Iqbal dreamt of a society rooted in Tawheed (Unity of God), Adl (Justice), and Khudi (Selfhood)—values that can still guide Pakistan toward redemption if truly embraced.
Reviving Iqbal’s Vision – A National Agenda
To honor Iqbal in true spirit, Pakistan must:
1. Revive Ijtihad and Reform Religious Discourse
Encourage fresh interpretation of Islamic teachings in modern contexts.
Promote intellectual freedom and rationality in religious institutions.
2. Build an Ethical, Accountable Political System
Enforce rule of law and fight corruption.
Promote leadership based on merit and moral values.
3. Reform Education and Promote Critical Thinking
Prioritize science, technology, and Islamic philosophy in curricula.
Inspire students with Iqbal’s poetry and ideals.
4. Ensure Economic Justice
End feudalism and monopolies.
Build a welfare state that serves the marginalized.
5. Promote Unity and Pan-Islamic Solidarity
Curb sectarianism through dialogue and reform.
Strengthen ties with Muslim countries based on shared values.
*A Call to Action*
Allama Iqbal did not live to see Pakistan’s creation, but his ideas became its soul. His dream was not just of a country, but of an Islamic civilization that combines faith with reason, freedom with discipline, and spirituality with science.
On this solemn day, let us pledge not to reduce Iqbal to mere ceremonial reverence. Let us live his vision, teach his philosophy, and build a Pakistan that reflects his dream—a nation that can lead the Muslim world with intellect, justice, and unity.
> اقبال کے خوابوں کا پاکستان بنانا ہے
توحید کی روشنی میں اسے آباد کرنا ہے
> To build the Pakistan of Iqbal’s dreams,
We must illuminate it with the light of Tawheed.
Rasheed Ahmad Chughtai
www.rachughtai.com
