Muhammad Iqbal

Sir Muhammad Iqbal (Punjabi: [mʊɦəˈməd̪ ɪqbaːl]; 9 November 1877 – 21 April 1938) was a South Asian Islamic philosopher, poet and politician. His poetry is considered to be among the greatest of the 20th century, and his vision of a cultural and political ideal for the Muslims of British-ruled India is widely regarded as having animated the impulse for the Pakistan Movement. He is commonly referred to by the honourific Allama (Persian: علامه, transl. “learned”) and widely considered one of the most important and influential Muslim thinkers and Western religious philosophers of the 20th century.

Born and raised in Sialkot, Punjab, Iqbal completed his BA and MA at the Government College in Lahore. He taught Arabic at the Oriental College in Lahore from 1899 until 1903, during which time he wrote prolifically. Notable among his Urdu poems from this period are “Parinde ki Faryad” (translated as “A Bird’s Prayer”), an early contemplation on animal rights, and “Tarana-e-Hindi” (translated as “Anthem of India”), a patriotic poem—both composed for children. In 1905, he departed from India to pursue further education in Europe, first in England and later in Germany. In England, he earned a second BA at Trinity College, Cambridge, and subsequently qualified as a barrister at Lincoln’s Inn. In Germany, he obtained a PhD in philosophy at the University of Munich, with his thesis focusing on “The Development of Metaphysics in Persia” in 1908. Upon his return to Lahore in 1908, Iqbal established a law practice but primarily focused on producing scholarly works on politics, economics, history, philosophy, and religion. He is most renowned for his poetic compositions, including “Asrar-e-Khudi,” for which he was honored with a British knighthood upon its publication, “Rumuz-e-Bekhudi,” and “Bang-e-Dara.” His literary works in the Persian language garnered him recognition in Iran, where he is commonly known as Eghbal-e Lahouri (Persian: اقبال لهوری), meaning “Iqbal of Lahore.”

An ardent proponent of the political and spiritual revival of the Muslim world, particularly of the Muslims in the Indian subcontinent, the series of lectures Iqbal delivered to this effect were published as The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam in 1930. He was elected to the Punjab Legislative Council in 1927 and held several positions in the All-India Muslim League. In his Allahabad Address, delivered at the League’s annual assembly in 1930, he formulated a political framework for the Muslim-majority regions spanning northwestern India, spurring the League’s pursuit of the two-nation theory.

In August 1947, nine years after Iqbal’s death, the partition of India gave way to the establishment of Pakistan, a newly independent Islamic state in which Iqbal was honoured as the national poet. He is also known in Pakistani society as Hakim ul-Ummat (lit. ‘The Wise Man of the Ummah’) and as Mufakkir-e-Pakistan (lit. ‘The Thinker of Pakistan’). The anniversary of his birth (Yom-e Weladat-e Muḥammad Iqbal), 9 November, is observed as a public holiday in Pakistan.

wikipedia/en/Muhammad%20Iqbal

(Bang-e-Dra-179) Hum Mashriq Ke Maskeenon Ka Dil Maghrib Mein Ja Atka Hai

Hum Mashriq Ke Maskeenon Ka Dil Maghrib Mein Ja Atka Hai
Waan Kantar Sub Ballori Hain Yaan Aik Purana Matka Hai

We poor Easterners have been entangled in the West
All crystal decanters are there, only an old earthen jar is here

Iss Dour Mein Sub Mit Jaen Ge, Haan! Baqi Woh Rehjaye Ga
Jo Qaeem Apni Rah Pe Hai Aur Pakka Apni Hat Ka Hai

All will be annihilated in this age except the one
Who established in his ways and firm in his thought is

Ae Shiekh-o-Barhman, Sunte Ho! Kya Ahl-e-Basirat Kehte Hain
Gardoon Ne Kitni Bulandi Se In Qoumon Ko De Tapka Hai

O Shaikh and Brahman do you listen to what people with insight say?
Heaven from great heights has thrown down those nations

Ya Baham Pyar Ke Jalse The, Dastoor-e-Mohabbat Qaeem Tha
Ya Behas Mein Urdu Hindi Hai Ya Qurbani Ya Jhatka Hai

Who formerly had assemblies of affection with firm love
Now under discussion is Urdu and Hindi or Dhibh and Jhatka

Tere Ishq Ki Intiha Chahta Hun
Meri Sadgi Dekh Kya Chahta Hun

Completion of your Love is what I desire
Look at my sincerity what little I desire

Sitam Ho Ke Ho Wada-e-Be-Hijabi
Koi Baat Sabr Azma Chahta Hun

It may be oppression or the promise of unveiling
Something testing my perseverance I desire

Ye Jannat Mubarik Rahe Zahidon Ko
Ke Mein Ap Ka Samna Chahta Hun

May the pious be happy with this Paradise
Only to see your Countenance I desire

Zara Sa To Dil Hun Magar Shaukh Itna
Wohi Lan-Tarani Suna Chahta Hun

Though I am but a tiny little heart I am so bold
To hear the same Lan tarani I desire

Koi Dam Ka Mehman Hun Ae Ahl-e-Mehfil
Charagh-e-Sehar Hun, Bujha Chahta Hun

O assembly’s companions! I am existing only for a few moments
I am the dawn’s candle, I am about to be extinguished

Bhari Bazm Mein Raaz Ki Baat Keh Di
Bara Be-Adab Hun, Saza Chahta Hun

I have divulged the secret in the full assembly
I am very insolent, punishment I desire