Political Philosophy of Allama Iqbal A Literary Review
Political Philosophy of Allama Iqbal A Literary Review
Political Philosophy of Allama Iqbal A Literary Review
Abstract
This paper discusses Iqbal’s vision and thoughts about politics. He has given an ever
inspiring treasure of knowledge and philosophy through his works. His philosophy of
politics is based on Islamic ideology. He adopted verses of Quran as his medium of
expression. He took serious interest in political matters during his stay in Europe.
This study is qualitative in nature. Iqbal opposes the concept of Western democracy
and promoted spiritual democracy which is based on the concept of Muslim
nationalism and leads to Islamic universalism which provided ideological
foundations to Pakistan movement and came to be known as ‘spiritual father of
Pakistan. This study recommends that by following the philosophy of Iqbal with true
sense of spirit it will lead Pakistan towards progress, prosperity and will have to
carry out the work of leading the world
Introduction
1
Statements of Quaid-e-Azam about Allama Iqbal Message of condolence of the death of Sir
Muhammad Iqbal, Calcutta, April 21, 1938: The Star of India, April 22, 1938.
When religion and state parted the ways for ever, it set the rule of avarice and
greed.
2
Shaukat Ali, Drparveen,The Political Philosophy of Iqbal, publishers untied LtD.176,
Anarkali, Lahore, 1978, p 127
3
Sherwani, Latif Ahmad, Speeches, Writings and Statement of Iqbal, Iqbal Academy, Lahore,
2015, p.125.
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Political Philosophy of Allama Iqbal: A Literary Review
This split is a disaster both for country and faith, and shows the culture’s
blind lack of vision.4
4
Kulliyat Iqbal, Allam Iqbal , khaznia – ilm o adabUrduBazaar, , Lahore,2006, P387
5
Maruf, Dr. Muhammed, Iqbal’s Philosophy of Religion a Study in the Cognitive Value of
Religious Experience, Iqbal Academy, Lahore, Pakistan , 2003 p. 202.
6
Habib, N. Versatile Iqbal, Bazm-i-Iqbal, Lahore, 1985, p.106
7
Kulliyat Iqbal, Allam Iqbal , khaznia – ilm o adab,Urdu bazaar, , Lahore,2006, P233
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To Iqbal only a social man can utilize his abilities to full extent by living
in a society. He can shape his own destiny as well as that of the universal by
adjusting himself to its forces. In fact society sets rules and roles for
individual; the respect of individual is in obeying and adopting theses rules
and roles. Allama Iqbal address individual as a member of society. Individual
and society are reciprocal to each other.
اﻓﺮاد ﮐﮯ ﮨﺎﺗﮭﻮں ﻣﯿﮟ اﻗﻮام ﮐﯽ ﺗﻘﺪﯾﺮ
Iqbal pointed out that all pillars of Islam serve the purpose of
sociality. Individual works more effectively when united. We can see its
demonstration in term of collective prayers. So it is clear that according to
Iqbal individual can fully realize his own self only in a society. Iqbal
contended that wherever the Qur’an calls upon the people to follow and join
the Muslim party, the word ‘millah’ or ‘ummah’ is used. In the following
couplet of Iqbal, we hear the echoes of the universalism of the Muslims of the
world:
ﺑﺘﺎن رﻧﮓ وﺧﻮں ﮐﻮ ﺗﻮڑ ﮐﺮ ﻣﻠﺖ ﻣﯿﮟ ﮔﻢ ﮨﻮ ﺟﺎ
Break, break the idols of color and race. In the Millat yourself you must
efface.
Call not yourself of Turkish nationality, or an Iranian, or an Afghani.9
8
Kulliyat Iqbal, Allam Iqbal , khaznia – ilm o adab,Urdu bazaar, , Lahore,2006, P672
9
Kulliyat Iqbal, Allam Iqbal , khaznia – ilm o adab,Urdu bazaar, , Lahore,2006, P320
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Political Philosophy of Allama Iqbal: A Literary Review
Iqbal was of the view that, there was no doubt that people have the
right of election of their representatives but both people and representatives
have to work within the framework of the law revealed by God called
the Shariah law. So for him state and government is a trust of God, where the
ultimate authority is Allah and the state has to create such law and order
which is according to the commands of God, and should select such Islamic
consultative assembly who would maintain Islamic justice, economic system
and society. Iqbal was in favor of democracy based on Islamic values and
condemn democracy which is divorced from religion and belief as in the case
of western democracy.
ﻣﺮی ﻧﮕﺎه ﻣﯿﮟ ﮨﮯ ﯾہ ﺳﯿﺎﺳﺖ ﻻدﯾﮟ
Iqbal wanted that whole Islamic world should follow this ideal
spiritual democracy so that Muslims would become powerful, peaceful and
prosperous. He expects such Islamic state who will be problem solving for its
10
Kulliyat Iqbal, Allam Iqbal , khaznia – ilm o adab,Urdu bazaar, , Lahore,2006, P321
11
Kulliyat Iqbal, Allam Iqbal , khaznia – ilm o adab,Urdu bazaar, , Lahore,2006, P637
12
Sherwani, Latif Ahmad, Speeches, Writings and Statement of Iqbal, Iqbal Academy, Lahore,
2015, p.125.
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13
Iqbal, Mohammad. (1983). Zarb-i-Kalim (The Rod of Moses). Trans. by Syed Akbar Ali
Shah. Lahore: Iqbal Academy Pakistan
14
Kuliyat Iqbal, Allam Iqbal , khaznia – ilm o adabUrdu Bazaar, , Lahore,2006, P174
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Political Philosophy of Allama Iqbal: A Literary Review
Iqbal was not against of democracy but towards its demerits only. He
accepted some principles of democracy which are according to Islamic
teachings and rejected those principles which are incompatible with Islamic
Philosophy of life and Islamic polity. Quaid-e-Azam said:
“Although a great poet and philosopher, he was no less a
practical politician. With his firm conviction and faith in
the ideals of Islam, he was one of the few who originally
thought over the feasibility of carving out of India an
Islamic State in the north-west and north-east zones,
which are historical homelands of Muslims."15
After his return from Europe Iqbal opposed the concept of Indian
nationalism and adopted Muslim Nationalism. He had given his views on
Islamic universalism. He was confirmed that western democratic concept of
nationalism cannot be applied to India. Because two major communities of
Muslim and Hindus were living in India who do not share common language,
common culture, common history which is the basis of nationalism. Rather
Muslims posses separate identity with their own religious and cultural values.
15
Statements of Quaid-e-Azam about Allama Iqbal Message on Iqbal Day, New Delhi, March
30, 1946
16
Maruf, op, cit, p. 75.
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Kuliyat Iqbal, Allam Iqbal , khaznia – ilm o adabUrdu bazaar, , Lahore,2006, P,311،312
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Political Philosophy of Allama Iqbal: A Literary Review
Conclusion
Iqbal has put forward his ideas in a logical manner the subject he has
chosen is a philosophical but his thoughts are clear and comprehensible they
have been expressed in a clear and simple way. After exploring Iqbal’s
political thought we came to the conclusion that Islamic ideology is the basis
of his political thought. He believed politics cannot be separated from
religion. Individuals depend on society for his survival and society plays a
supporting role. A social man can utilize his abilities to full extent by living
in a society. Individual life and destiny is determined by form of government.
Iqbal called such democracy as spiritual democracy. Iqbal want whole
18
Saeedud Din Ahmad Dar, Ideology of Pakistan , National institute of Historical and cultural
research centr of excleence, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Pakistan 2000, P62,63
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Islamic world should follow this ideal spiritual democracy so that Muslim
would become powerful, peaceful and prosperous. On the basis of this
philosophy of spiritual democracy Iqbal present the concept of Muslim
nationalism. Iqbal believed that Islamic universalism can be attained only by
strengthening of Muslim nationalism which is the ultimate goal of Muslims.
He wanted to revive Islam and Islamic civilization for the sake of the safety
of humanity. He, therefore, made it clearer that the creation of a separate
Islamic state does not mean in any way the formation of a rigid, fanatic and
fundamentalist religious state. He envisioned an Islamic state would be a
welfare state. It stands for peace, security and prosperity of the people. It
comes into existence with the consent of the people. It runs on the basis of a
constitution and rule of law.
But it is a pity that just after seventy years of creation of Pakistan, the
people of Pakistan have ignored the message of Iqbal. Today’s Pakistan
political system has adopted few of his thoughts and suggestions, therefore,
could not cherish goals of peace, security and prosperity at the best. At
present, our political leaders have forgotten the main cause of establishment
of ideal Islamic state of Iqbal and have ignored Iqbal’s message. They have
adopted western thoughts with the false expectation that they will achieve
real development. But reality shows that after seventy years we are still
dependent on the West. Today, Pakistan is facing the problem of extremism,
terrorism and provincialism. Pakistan’s honor is greatly damaged at
international level due to the fires of terrorism. Due to crisis of leadership,
our nation is confused and is showing lack of confidence. Our political
leaders, who hold power, do not represent the voice of the people and depend
totally on the support of the Western major powers. If we want to change this
state of affairs, as envisioned by Iqbal, there is no other way for us except to
work hard sincerely, wisely and intelligently for the reconstruction of the
Islamic state. Pakistan’s lost glory can only be regained by following the
message of our great political thinker, Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
19
Kuliyat Iqbal, Allam Iqbal , khaznia – ilm o adab,Urdu bazaar, Lahore,2006, p. 311،361
261