Dr Muhammad Iqbal
Dr Muhammad Iqbal (9 November 1877 – 21 April 1938) was an Islamic philosopher and poet. His vision and political views for British indian Muslims were regarded as influential for the Pakistan Movement. Furthermore, he was considered to be the greatest Urdu poet, thinker, and religious philosopher of the 20th century.
Muhammad Iqbal was born in Sialkot, Punjab, British India. He received his early education from Scotch Mission College in Sialkot and Government College in Lahore. After completing his education, he began teaching Arabic at Oriental College Lahore from 1899 to 1903. During that time, he wrote several books. Some of his famous books from that period were among his Urdu poems like “Parinde Ki Faryar” (A Bird’s Paryer), & “Tarana-E-Hind”.
In 1905, Iqbal continued his education in Europe, England and earned a bachelor’s degree from Trinity College, Cambridge, and qualified as a barrister from Lincoln’s Inn. After that, he moved to Germany and completed his PHD from in Philosophy at the University of Munich in 1908.
After returning to Lahore, Allama Muhammad Iqbal started practicing Law but later shifted his focus completely and started writing and philosophy. Some of his great works include: “Asrar-e-Khudi” (Secrets of the Self), “Rumuz-e-Bekhudi” (Mysteries of Selflessness), and “Bang-e-Dara” (The Call of the Marching Bell) gained him international recognition, especially in Iran and South Asia.
Iqbal’s Philosophy strongly supported the political and spiritual revival of the Muslim world, especially among Muslims in the Indian subcontinent. He gave many lectures on this topic, which were published as “The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam” in 1930. In 1927, he was elected to the Punjab Legislative Council and held several positions in the All-India Muslim League. During the League’s annual assembly in Allahabad in 1930. He delivered his historic Allahabad Speech, where he proposed the idea of a separate homeland for Muslims in northwestern India, a vision that would later inspire the creation of Pakistan.
In 1938, Iqbal passed away, nine years before Pakistan came into being. When Pakistan was established in 1947 as a new independent Islamic state, Iqbal was honored as the national poet of Pakistan. Every year, on 9th November, Pakistan celebrates Iqbal Day to honor the poet, writer, and Religious Philosopher who dreamed of a nation built on unity, faith, and selfhood for Muslims.
Early Life and Family
Family
His Parents, Sheikh Noor Muhammad, Iqbal’s father, and Imam Bibi, Iqbal’s mother, married in 1857. His father, Noor Muhammad, came from a Kashmiri immigrant family to Sialkot. His father was a mild-tempered man, and his family would call him “Mian Ji” in his later days. He would sell Kashmiri shawls, drawstrings, and caps from a shop in the front room of his house. But the business didn’t suit him, which he later transferred to his son-in-law in 1890.
His mother, Imam Bibi, she was also came from a Kashmiri Immigrant family. She was a very down-to-earth, simple lady who would help the poor and her neighbors. She died on 9 November 1914 in Sialkot.
Allama Muhammad Iqbal had six siblings in total, five sisters and one brother
- Sheikh Ata Muhammad – His elder brother.
- Taj Bibi – Sister
- Fatima Bibi – Sister
- Taz Bibi – Sister
- Miraj Bibi – Sister
- Karim Bibi – Sister
Education
Iqbal received his early education in his hometown, Sialkot. Where he was is in Maktab (Traditional Islamic School) under the supervision of Syed Mir Hassan, who was a famous scholar of Arabic and Persian who played an important role in shaping Iqbal’s thinking and ideology, and intelligence.
Later, Iqbal joined Scotch Mission College (now known as Murray College) in Sialkot. There, he studied Classical Persian, Arabic Literature with Modern subjects, which made him develop a great interest in Philosophy, Poetry, and Religion.
After completing his intermediate, he moved to Lahore and took admission in Government College University, one of the renowned institutions of its time. There, he earned his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in 1897 and his Master of Arts (M.A.) in Philosophy in 1899. During this period, he came under the mentorship of Sir Thomas Arnold, a British philosopher and professor who greatly influenced Iqbal’s thinking and inspired him to pursue higher education abroad.
In 1905, Iqbal left for Europe, England. It is believed that it was the most transformative period of his time. He enrolled in Trinity College, University of Cambridge, where he earned another Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree. At the same time, he prepared for the Bar examination and was later called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn, London, qualifying as a barrister.
After completing his studies in England, he moved to Germany, where he studied at the University of Munich and completed his PHD. His doctoral thesis, titled “The Development of Metaphysics in Persia,” was a profound exploration of Islamic and Persian philosophical traditions.
Marriage
Dr Allama Iqbal’s personal life went through many phases; some sources believe he had married 3 and some 4 times.
He first married in 1895, when he was 18 years old, to Karim Bibi daughter of Khan Bahadur Ata Muhammad Khan. He had two children with her, Aftab Iqbal and Miraj Begum. However, the marriage didn’t work out, and they separated.
His second marriage was in 1910 with a niece of Hakim Noor-ud-Din, A scholar and physician. Historical records about this marriage are limited, which is why some sources mention only three marriages.
Iqbal’s third marriage was in 1914 with Mukhtar Begum, but she passed away not long after their wedding.
Later, Iqbal married Sardar Begum and had one child with her, a very well-known person named Javid Iqbal, born in 1924. He later became a prominent judge, philosopher, and author.
Political Career of Allama Iqbal
Dr Iqbal is best remembered as a poet, writer, and philosopher. His writing, speeches, and Political involvement played a crucial role in a separate nation for Muslims, which led to the creation of Pakistan.
Allama Muhammad Iqbal began his political career in the 1920s. He was elected to the Punjab Legislative Council in 1926, where he represented the Muslim community’s issues like education, protection of Muslim rights, and social reform.
Later, he became a member of the All-India Muslim League, a prominent party that led the Pakistan movement. Iqbal was more interested in the spiritual and cultural revival of muslims. He believed Muslims should know selfhood (Khudi), which led him to write a great work on Khudi.
In December 1930, he delivered a historic Allahabad Address in the annual session of the Muslim League. In that speech, Dr Iqbal represented an Idea for a separate homeland for Muslims. Which later became the foundation of the Pakistan movement. He envisioned a homeland for Muslims where they could live according to their own faith, culture, and values.
This vision of Iqbal deeply influenced Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Dr Iqbal saw A leader in Jinnah and encouraged him for a Muslim homeland.
Nearly a decade ago, after the creation of Pakistan, Iqbal passed away in 1938; his writing, Philosophy, and thinking still inspired Muslims and are recognized as the spiritual father of the nation.
Literary Works of Dr. Allama Iqbal
Allama Iqbal wrote in different languages such as Persian, Urdu, English, and Punjabi. Most of his work is in the Persian language, which he believes enables him to write freely and that can be reached by more broader audience.
Persian Work
Iqbal’s major work in the Persian language is Asrar-E-Khudi (Secrets of the Self, 1915), the idea of selfhood to invoke in Muslims a divine spark.
His Second work was Rumuz-i-Bekhudi (Hints of Selflessness, 1917). The Asrar E Khudi focuses on the individual; this one focuses more on community and collective life, especially within Islam.
In his Payam-e-Mashriq (Message of the East, 1924), which was greatly inspired by Goethe’s West-östlicher Diwan, which was a response to the materialism of the West in which encourages spirituality and its value in the East. During his visit to Afghanistan, he presented this book to King Amanullah Khan.
Another great work was Zabur-e-Ajam (Persian Psalms, 1927), “Gulshan-e-Raz-e-Jadeed,” and “Bandagi Nama,” in which he condemns slavery and encourages spirituality.
Javed Nama (Book of Javed, 1932), a book named after his son Javid Iqbal. In this work of Iqbal, he is on an imaginary journey where he addresses moral decay, betrayal, and the decline of the Muslim world.
His Later Persian work was Pas Cheh Bayed Kard Ay Aqwam-e-Sharq (What Should Then Be Done, O Nations of the East), in which he continues to urge muslims for Spiritual strength and unity.
Urdu Work
Dr Iqbal’s first Urdu work was Bang-e-Dara (The Call of the Marching Bell, 1924). This book contains three phases of his life.
- 1st one is the poems written in his youth, characterized by a romantic, patriotic theme. Where he writes about homeland, Nature. In this phase, poems include such as “Tarana-e-Hindi” (The Song of India), “Himala” (The Himalayas), and more.
- 2nd Phase Poems are about Muslims, Islam, the Rise and Fall of Muslims when he was in Europe. His famous poems in this phase include “Masjid-e-Qurtuba” (The Mosque of Cordoba) Concept of ‘Khudi” (Selfhood) “Khizr-e-Rah” (Khizr, the Guide). In this phase, he acknowledged the European advancement in science and technology while criticizing spiritual bankruptcy, materialism, and colonialism
- 3rd Phase is mostly a political and revolutionary part of the collection of his poems. In this phase, Dr Iqbal becomes the “Poet of the East” and the “Spiritual Father of Pakistan.” This last part of this book consists of awakening the youth, encouraging them to recognize their true identity and know their Potential. Some of the famous work from this part is “Shikwa” (The Complaint) and “Jawab-e-Shikwa” (The Answer to the Complaint), and “Mard-e-Momin” (The True Believer).
English Works
Allama Iqbal wrote two books in English
1 The Development of Metaphysics in Persia (1908)
2 The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam (1930)
In these books, Iqbal discusses Islamic philosophy, Sufism, and spirituality, arguing that Islam offers a balance between faith and reason. And also talks about politics, economics, and religion.
Punjabi Works
In Punjabi, there are very limited works of Iqbal. The following are the works of Dr Iqbal in Punjabi Piyaara Jedi” and “Baba Bakri Wala” (1929), written for his son Javed.
Poet of the East
In 1933, when he received his doctorate in literature from the University of Punjab, he was celebrated as a “Poet of the East”. The title was given to him by Scholars, institutions, and the Media due to the intellectual and spiritual revival in the East.
Dr Iqbal believed that the Muslims had suffered a lot under Western colonization. His Poetry and writing were a great revolution for self-awareness, unity, and dignity. With his poetry and writing, he inspires millions across the subcontinent, which is why he is called the “Poet of the East”.
List of Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s work.
Poetry (Persian)
Asrar-e-Khudi (اسرارِ خودی – Secrets of the Self) – 1915 – Persian
Rumuz-e-Bekhudi (رموزِ بیخودی – Secrets of Selflessness) – 1918 – Persian
Payam-e-Mashriq (پیامِ مشرق – Message of the East) – 1923 – Persian
Zabur-e-Ajam (زبورِ عجم – Persian Psalms) – 1927 – Persian
Javed Nama (جاوید نامہ – Book of Javed) – 1932 – Persian
Pas Cheh Bayed Kard ai Aqwam-e-Sharq (پس چہ باید کرد اے اقوامِ شرق – What Should Then Be Done, O Nations of the East?) – 1936 – Persian
Armughan-e-Hijaz (ارمغانِ حجاز – The Gift of Hijaz) – 1938 – Partly Persian, partly Urdu
Poetry (Urdu)
Bang-e-Dra (بانگِ درا – The Call of the Marching Bell) – 1924 – Urdu
Bal-e-Jibril (بالِ جبریل – Wings of Gabriel) – 1935 – Urdu
Zarb-e-Kalim (ضربِ کلیم – The Rod of Moses) – 1936 – Urdu
Armughan-e-Hijaz (ارمغانِ حجاز – The Gift of Hijaz) – 1938 – Partly Urdu, partly Persian
Prose (English)
The Development of Metaphysics in Persia – 1908 – English
The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam – 1930 – English
Poetry (Punjabi)
Piyaara Jedi – 1929 – Punjabi
Baba Bakri Wala – 1929 – Punjabi
