Allama Muhammad Iqbal, also known as Muhajir-e-Millat (Refugee of the Nation) and Hakeem-ul-Ummat (The Sage of the Nation), was a philosopher, poet, and politician in British India who is widely regarded as having inspired the Pakistan Movement. He is considered one of the greatest intellectuals and poets in the Urdu language, and his poetry has been translated into many languages around the world.
Iqbal was born in 1877 in Sialkot, a city in the Punjab region of British India. He received his early education in Sialkot and later went on to study at Government College in Lahore, where he received his bachelor's and master's degrees in philosophy. After completing his studies, Iqbal traveled to Europe to continue his education, earning a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Munich in 1908.
Upon his return to India, Iqbal began teaching at Government College in Lahore and began to write poetry in both Urdu and Persian. His poetry was deeply influenced by the works of Rumi and other Sufi poets, and he often used Sufi imagery and themes in his work. Iqbal's poetry was also influenced by the ideas of the European Enlightenment, particularly the concepts of liberty, democracy, and human rights.
One of Iqbal's most famous poems is "Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua Ban Ke Tamanna Meri" (A Prayer Rises to My Lips), which is often taught to schoolchildren in India and Pakistan. This poem, which was written in the aftermath of World War I, expresses Iqbal's hope for a better future and his belief that humanity has the power to create a better world.
Another famous poem by Iqbal is "Bang-i-Dra" (The Call of the Marching Bell), which was written in the aftermath of the 1929 Lahore Resolution, which called for the creation of a separate Muslim state in India. This poem expresses Iqbal's belief that Muslims in India needed to unite and work together to achieve their goals.
In addition to his poetry, Iqbal was also an active politician and played a key role in the Pakistan Movement. He served as the president of the All India Muslim League, the political party that was instrumental in the creation of Pakistan, and he was a strong advocate for the rights of Muslims in India.
Iqbal's poetry has been widely translated and has had a profound influence on literature and politics in South Asia and beyond. His ideas on liberty, democracy, and human rights have inspired generations of people around the world and his poetry continues to be read and studied by people of all ages.
Iqbal's poetry is known for its deep philosophical and spiritual themes, and he often used Sufi imagery and themes in his work. Many of his poems explore the concept of the self and the individual's place in the world, and he often wrote about the importance of self-discovery and self-realization.
In his poem "Asrar-e-Khudi" (Secrets of the Self), Iqbal writes about the importance of the individual and the role of the self in shaping the world. He encourages readers to explore their own potential and to strive for self-improvement, saying:
"The self is a beacon that illuminates the path to the divine
And it is through the self that we come to understand the nature of the divine
Therefore, it is essential that we learn to know ourselves
And to understand the secrets of the self."