Rediscovering Iqbal’s Timeless Call for Revival

 

Allama Muhammad Iqbal (1877–1938 in the Indian subcontinent) stands as one of the most influential thinkers in the modern Islamic world, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire Muslims globally. Iqbal was a thinker, philosopher, poet, scholar, and political visionary. He earned degrees in philosophy and law, studying at prestigious institutions such as Cambridge University and the University of Munich. The synthesis of Islamic spirituality and his understanding of modern philosophy enabled him to critique the prevailing Western secular order while presenting a transformative vision for the Muslim world.

Iqbal’s ideas laid the foundation for the demand for a separate Muslim state in the subcontinent, earning him the title "Mufakkir-e-Pakistan." In his 1930 Allahabad Address, he envisioned an independent State where Muslims could live by Islamic principles, rooted in a political and cultural framework of Islam—a vision that still remains unfulfilled.

Iqbal’s poetry, written in Urdu and Persian, speaks to the soul of the Muslim Ummah. Through masterpieces such as Bang-e-Dara, Bal-e-Jibril, Zarb-e-Kalim, and Jawab-e-Shikwa, he diagnosed the root causes of Muslim decline, from internal disunity to blind imitation of the West. His powerful verses critique superficial rituals and materialism, calling instead for self-discovery (khudi), unity, and a return to the transformative teachings of Islam.

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Iqbal’s Vision for Intellectual and Spiritual Revival

Allama Iqbal dedicated his life to diagnosing the decline of the Muslim Ummah, which he attributed to intellectual stagnation and spiritual disconnection. Through his poetry, Iqbal vividly captures the challenges faced by Muslims and provides a roadmap for renewal. Iqbal reflects on the historical greatness of the Muslim Ummah and its tragic fall into complacency and materialism urging them to reclaim their lost strength and purpose. In Bang-e-Dra, Iqbal compares the Muslim Ummah to a calm sea, stagnant and devoid of vitality:

"Khuda tujhe kisi toofan se aashna kar de
Ke tere beher ki maujon mein iztirab nahin."
"May Allah acquaint you with a storm,
For the waves of your sea lack turbulence."

Here, the "sea" symbolizes the dormant state of the Ummah, while the "storm" represents the challenges and struggles necessary to awaken their potential. Iqbal calls for a divine stirring that ignites intellectual curiosity and spiritual resilience, enabling the Ummah to rise above its current state and rediscover its dynamism.

A central theme in Iqbal’s work is the concept of khudi (selfhood), which he views as essential for achieving greatness. In Zarb-e-Kalim, he narrates:

"Kaha Iqbal ne shaikh-e-Haram se
Kya hai Fateh-o-Zafar ka raaz?
Khudi ki mo’taaj hai har shai
Hawa o Sheer o Sheeraaz."
"Iqbal asked the leader of the sanctuary,
What is the secret to victory and triumph?
Everything depends on selfhood—
The wind, the lion, and even cities."

Iqbal explains that selfhood, rooted in faith and self-awareness, is the foundation of all success. For Muslims, khudi is not about selfishness but about understanding one’s role as Allah’s servant and a contributor to the greater good.

In Jawab-e-Shikwa, Iqbal highlights the consequences of abandoning faith and spiritual connection:

"Khuda ke saath raha tu, tu zabardast hua
Judaa hua tu, barham-e-deen o dast hua."
"When you stayed connected to Allah, you were powerful,
When you separated, you lost your strength and unity."

Iqbal emphasizes that the strength of the Muslim Ummah lies in its connection to Allah. When this bond is broken, the Ummah becomes weak and fragmented, losing its ability to inspire and lead.

He also laments the loss of intellectual depth and leadership among Muslims:

"Waaiz-e-qoum ki woh pukhta khayali na rahi
Barq taba’ee na rahi, shaola maqali na rahi."
"The scholars of the nation lack deep thought,
The spark of creativity and the fire of eloquence are gone."

This couplet critiques the decline of intellectual rigor and creative thought among the Muslim scholars and leaders.

Finally, Iqbal ties the revival of the Ummah to faithfulness to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):

"Ki Muhammed (S.A.W.) se wafa tu ne tau hum tere hain
Yeh jahan cheez hai kya, Loh-o-Qalam tere hain."
"If you are loyal to Muhammad (PBUH), then we are yours,
This world is nothing; the pen and the tablet are yours."

Iqbal reminds Muslims that loyalty to the Prophet (PBUH) and adherence to his teachings are the key to reclaiming their rightful place in the world.

His poetry serves as a timeless reminder that the path to greatness lies in balancing faith with intellect. Iqbal challenges Muslims to rise above mediocrity, reject superficiality, and embrace a pursuit of knowledge that is guided by divine purpose. His message remains as relevant today as it was during his time: the revival of the Ummah depends on rediscovering its spiritual and intellectual foundations.

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Iqbal's Critique of Western Ideologies

Allama Muhammad Iqbal, a luminary in both Eastern and Western philosophical traditions, offered profound critiques of Western political ideologies, particularly democracy, capitalism, and secularism. Through his poetry, Iqbal dissected these systems, highlighting their inherent flaws and the challenges they posed to spiritual and moral values.

In Armaghan-e-Hijaz, Iqbal succinctly critiques the quantitative nature of Western democracy:

"Jamhooriat ek tarz-e-hukumat hai ke jis mein
Bandon ko gina karte hain, tola nahi karte."
"Democracy is a system where people are counted, not weighed."

Similarly, in Bal-e-Jibril, he critiques the inherent darkness within Western democratic systems:

"Tu ne kya dekha nahin Maghrib ka jumhoori nizam
Chehra roshan, androon Changaiz se tareek tar!"
"Have you not seen the democracy of the West?
Its face is bright, but inside, it is darker than Genghis Khan."

Iqbal critiques democracy as a system vulnerable to manipulation, where the majority is often influenced by propaganda or material incentives. Rather than genuinely reflecting the will of the people, it becomes a tool for the powerful to maintain control and reinforce inequalities, failing to uphold justice or moral values. Also, Iqbal accuses Western democracy of masking its oppressive and exploitative nature under a facade of progress and freedom. He argues that beneath its polished exterior lies a system that perpetuates injustice and moral decay.

Iqbal extends his critique to the fragile foundations of Western civilization:

"Tumhari tehzeeb apne khanjar se ap hi khudkushi kare gi
Jo shakh-e-nazuk pe aashiyana bane ga, na paidar ho ga."
"Your civilization will commit suicide with its own dagger,
A nest built on a frail branch will never be stable."

Here, Iqbal predicts the self-destruction of a society built on unstable foundations like materialism and moral decay. He warns that any civilization disconnected from spiritual values is destined to collapse under its contradictions.

Iqbal's critiques are not mere condemnations but serve as a call for introspection. He urges the Muslim World to recognize the limitations of Western ideologies and to seek systems of governance and economy that align with their spiritual and moral values. By doing so, Iqbal envisions a society where material progress does not come at the expense of going away from the Deen.

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Iqbal's Call for Muslim Unity

Allama Iqbal consistently emphasized the necessity of unity within the Muslim Ummah, not only to transcend sectarian, racial, and ethnic divisions but also to establish a collective political and cultural identity. He believed that the fragmentation of the Ummah had undermined its strength, leaving it vulnerable to external domination and internal stagnation. Through his profound poetry, Iqbal called for a unity rooted in the universal principles of Islam, encompassing both spiritual solidarity and political coherence, as a means to reclaim the Ummah’s dignity and leadership on the global stage.

Critiquing the divisive forces of nationalism and ethnic pride, Iqbal challenges Muslims with a thought-provoking couplet:

"Yun to Syed bhi ho, Mirza bhi ho, Afghan bhi ho
Tum sabhi kuch ho, batao to Musalman bhi ho!"
"You may be Syed, Mirza, or Afghan,
But tell me, are you also Muslim?"

Here, Iqbal critiques the tendency of Muslims to identify more with their ethnic or tribal affiliations than with their Islamic identity. He warns that such divisions undermine the unity of the Ummah and detract from their collective mission.

Iqbal passionately appeals for unity by reminding Muslims of their shared faith and values:

"Manfa’at aik hai is qaum ki, nuqsan bhi aik
Ek hi sab ka Nabi (S.A.W), din bhi, iman bhi aik
Harm-e-Paak bhi, Allah bhi, Quran bhi aik,
Kuch bari baat thi hote jo Musalmaan bhi aik!"
"The benefit of this nation is one, and its loss is one,
The Prophet (PBUH), religion, and faith of all are the same.
Their sacred sanctuary, Allah, and Quran are the same,
How great it would have been if Muslims were united as well!"

Iqbal points out that Muslims share the same foundational beliefs, values, and purpose, and yet they remain divided. He highlights the irony and tragedy of this disunity, urging them to reflect on the strength and potential they could achieve if united under Islam.

In Bang-e-Dra, Iqbal paints a vivid picture of this unity:

"Aik hoon Muslim haram ki pasbani ke liye
Neel ke sahil se lekar ta-ba-khaak-e-Kashgar."
"Let Muslims unite to guard the sanctuary,
From the shores of the Nile to the soil of Kashgar."

Here, Iqbal envisions a united Muslim Ummah, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries. This imagery underscores the universality of Islamic brotherhood, calling on Muslims from all corners of the world to safeguard the sanctity of Islam and its principles.

Iqbal's poetry serves as a timeless reminder of the critical importance of unity within the Muslim Ummah. He perceives unity as the bedrock upon which the strength, progress, and survival of the Muslim community depend. By transcending internal divisions and embracing a collective identity rooted in Islamic principles, Iqbal believed that Muslims can reclaim their esteemed position in the world and effectively counter external challenges. 

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Iqbal’s reminder of Islam as a Complete Way of Life

He perceived Islam not merely as a set of rituals but as a complete system encompassing all facets of human existence—spiritual, moral, social, and political. Through his poetry, Iqbal passionately called for the implementation of Islam and guiding humanity towards true fulfillment.

In his famous poem Tulu-e-Islam (The Rise of Islam), Iqbal vividly describes the dawn of a new era for Muslims:

"Daleel-e-Subah-e-Roshan Hai Sitaron Ki Tunak Tabi
Ufaq Se Aftab Ubhra, Gya Dour-e-Garan Khawabi."
"The dimness of the stars is evidence of the bright morning,
The sun has risen over the horizon; the time of deep slumber has passed."

Here, Iqbal uses the metaphor of fading stars to symbolize the end of ignorance and stagnation, while the rising sun represents the awakening of Islamic enlightenment. He urges Muslims to shake off their lethargy, embrace their faith, and reclaim Islam as a guiding light for every sphere of life.

Iqbal lamented the loss of the true spirit of Islam among Muslims, who had reduced it to mere outward practices. In one of his couplets, he writes:

"Reh Gayi Rasm-e-Azan, Rooh-e-Bilali Na Rahi
Falsafa Reh Gya, Talqeen-e-Ghazali Na Rahi."
"The tradition of the call to prayer remains, but the spirit of Bilal (RA) is gone;
Philosophy remains, but the wisdom of Ghazali is lost."

This couplet highlights how Muslims have held on to rituals but lost the deeper essence of Islam’s spirituality and intellectual heritage. Iqbal calls for a revival of this lost soul and wisdom.

He frequently reflects on the decline of Muslims, contrasting their glorious past with their current state. In Jawab-e-Shikwa, he reminds:

"Woh Zamane Mein Mu’azzaz The Musalman Ho Kar
Aur Tum Khawar Huwe Taarik-e-Quran Ho Kar."
"They were honored in the world for being Muslims,
And you are disgraced for abandoning the Quran."

Iqbal underscores that the root of the Ummah’s decline lies in abandoning the Quran as the foundation of their ideology and system.

Iqbal also emphasizes the divine potential of Muslims, rooted in their faith:

"Zinda Rakhti Hai Zamane Ko Hararat Teri
Koukab-e-Qismat-e-Imkan Hai Khilafat Teri."
"Your energy keeps the world alive,
Your destiny lies in establishing the Khilafah."

In these lines, Iqbal reminds Muslims of their inherent role as leaders of humanity, provided they revive the true implementation of Islam in its true political manifestation through the Khilafah.

He believed that the work of restoring Islam as a complete system was far from over:

"Waqt-e-Fursat Hai Kahan, Kaam Abhi Baqi Hai
Noor-e-Touheed Ka Itmam Abhi Baqi Hai."
"Where is the time for rest? The work is still unfinished,
The light of monotheism is yet to be fully realized."

This couplet reflects Iqbal’s call for Muslims to actively implement Islam as a complete system in all aspects of life. The "light of monotheism" (Noor-e-Touheed) symbolizes Islam’s principles of justice, equality, and moral guidance, which must extend beyond personal piety to shape society’s governance, education, and values. Iqbal reminds Muslims that their mission to establish a just and harmonious world under Islam is ongoing and demands continuous effort, unity, and dedication.

Through his poetry, Iqbal consistently called for Muslims to return to the essence of Islam—not just as a set of rituals, but as a holistic way of life. He urged them to revive their intellectual and spiritual heritage, restore their unity, and fulfill their divine role as leaders of humanity. His message remains a timeless reminder of the transformative power of Islam when implemented in its true form.

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Allama Iqbal’s poetry is not merely a reflection of the past but a guide for the present and the future. His powerful insights into the intellectual, spiritual, and social challenges of the Muslim Ummah hold profound relevance in today’s world. At a time when Muslims face identity crisis, internal divisions, and external pressures, Iqbal’s call to reconnect with the essence of Islam, pursue meaningful knowledge, and unite as a single Ummah offers a roadmap for renewal. His critique of superficial practices and morally hollow ideologies urges a return to authentic values that balance material progress with spiritual growth. To truly benefit from Iqbal’s vision, we must delve deeply into his thought, explore its application to modern challenges, and use it as a foundation for building a just, unified, and enlightened Muslim society that can lead humanity toward a brighter future.