The Global Philosophy of Allama Iqbal
Bridge Between East and West
Iqbal’s Appreciation and Criticism of the West
Iqbal acknowledged the scientific advancements and intellectual rigor of the West. He admired how Western societies had harnessed reason, innovation, and discipline to achieve progress.
But he didn’t shy away from criticizing the West’s moral decay and materialism. He believed that while the West had excelled in the material realm, it had neglected the spiritual dimension, leading to a crisis of meaning and values.
Iqbal warned that unchecked materialism would ultimately lead to societal and environmental harm.
Famous Verse Criticizing the West’s Materialism:
“Tamadun, tasannuh, sharaafat, rawani; Haya se hai, sab kuch duniya mein pani.”
Translation: “Civilization, sophistication, and nobility flow from modesty; Without it, everything in the world is but water.”
Fusion of Eastern Spirituality with Western Progress
Iqbal’s solution was to fuse the strengths of both worlds:
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- The West’s scientific and material advancements.
- The East’s spiritual wisdom and moral depth.
He envisioned a world where reason and faith would work together to create a balanced, holistic civilization.
Famous Work: Payam-e-Mashriq
Iqbal wrote Payam-e-Mashriq (Message of the East) as a response to Goethe’s West-östlicher Divan, a collection of poems inspired by Eastern culture.
In this work, Iqbal:
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- Celebrates the rich spirituality of the East.
- Critiques the West’s obsession with material wealth and power.
- Calls for mutual respect and dialogue between civilizations.
Example from Payam-e-Mashriq:
“Khudi ka sirr-e-nihan la ilaha illallah; Khudi hai tegh, fa’aloo la ilaha illallah.”
Translation: “The secret of selfhood lies in ‘There is no god but God’; Selfhood is a sword, and its sharpening is ‘There is no god but God.’”
Here, Iqbal emphasizes that spiritual self-realization (a strength of the East) can empower individuals to act with purpose and conviction.
Universal Humanism
Iqbal’s Vision of Transcending Boundaries
Iqbal’s philosophy isn’t limited to Muslims or any single community—it’s profoundly universal.
He advocated for a world where humanity transcends racial, cultural, and national boundaries to achieve peace and justice.
He believed all humans share a divine origin and a common destiny, and this shared identity should unite them.
Famous Line Reflecting Universal Humanism:
“Insan ka shajar ek hai, phir kyun fasal khatein hain? Rang aur khoon ke farq se kyun bhool jate hain?”
Translation: “Humanity is a single tree, so why do we harvest divisions? Why do we forget unity because of differences in color and blood?”
Opposition to Imperialism
Iqbal was a vocal critic of Western imperialism, which he saw as a system of exploitation and oppression.
He condemned how colonial powers extracted resources from weaker nations and imposed their culture, leaving these societies economically and culturally crippled.
For Iqbal, true progress came from self-reliance, not dependence on external powers.
Example:
In his poem Tulu-e-Islam (The Rise of Islam), he calls for oppressed nations to awaken to their potential and resist exploitation.
Philosophy of Divine Love
Ishq-e-Haqiqi (Divine Love)
Central to Iqbal’s philosophy is Ishq-e-Haqiqi, or Divine Love. For Iqbal, this isn’t just an abstract idea—it’s the driving force behind all human progress.
He believed that love for God transforms individuals, inspiring them to become agents of change in the world.
Divine love fuels courage, creativity, and selflessness, enabling people to rise above personal limitations.
How Does Divine Love Work?
Awakens the Self:
Iqbal’s concept of Khudi (selfhood) is directly linked to Divine Love. When individuals truly love God, they begin to understand their own potential and purpose.
This love leads to self-discovery, empowering people to act as creators and builders of a better world.
Creates Leaders and Visionaries:
Iqbal’s ideal person, the Mard-e-Momin (True Believer), is someone whose actions are driven by love for God and humanity.
This person is fearless, compassionate, and deeply committed to justice.
Famous Line Reflecting Divine Love:
“Mohabbat mujhe un jawanon se hai, sitare jin ke gardish mein hain.”
Translation: “I have love for those youth whose destinies revolve among the stars.”
Here, Iqbal celebrates the transformative power of Divine Love in inspiring young people to aim for greatness.
Comparisons with Global Thinkers
Iqbal and Nietzsche
Both Iqbal and Nietzsche explored the idea of transcending the ordinary self.
Nietzsche’s Übermensch (Superman) is an individual who creates their own values and rises above societal norms.
Iqbal’s Mard-e-Momin (True Believer), however, is rooted in spirituality and divine connection, not individualism.
For Iqbal, greatness comes not from rejecting God but from aligning with His will.
Iqbal and Rumi
Iqbal is often called a modern-day Rumi, and for good reason:
Like Rumi, Iqbal celebrated the journey of self-discovery and divine connection.
Both poets used the metaphor of Ishq (love) to describe the spiritual force that drives human growth.
Iqbal often referenced Rumi as his spiritual guide, even imagining Rumi as his companion in his poetic work Javed Nama.
Iqbal and Western Philosophers (Kant and Bergson)
Iqbal drew on Kant’s metaphysics and Bergson’s idea of creative evolution, blending these ideas with Islamic teachings.
From Kant, Iqbal adopted the idea of a moral imperative, but he rooted this imperative in divine revelation.
From Bergson, he took the concept of life as a creative force, connecting it to the Quranic idea of human beings as co-creators with God.