Allama Muhammad Iqbal (1877–1938) was a renowned philosopher, poet, and political thinker who played a key role in inspiring the idea of a separate homeland for Muslims in the Indian subcontinent — a vision that later became Pakistan.
📚 Early Life and Education
Born on November 9, 1877, in Sialkot (now in Pakistan), Iqbal belonged to a devout Muslim family of Kashmiri descent. He showed a deep interest in poetry and philosophy from a young age.
He completed his early education in Sialkot and then moved to Lahore, where he studied at Government College University. Later, he traveled to Europe and earned degrees from Cambridge University (UK) and a PhD from the University of Munich (Germany). His doctoral thesis was titled “The Development of Metaphysics in Persia.”
🖋️ Poetry and Philosophy
Iqbal is best known for his powerful Urdu and Persian poetry, which awakened the spiritual and political consciousness of Muslims. His poetry emphasized:
- Selfhood (Khudi) – the idea of discovering one’s inner strength
- Unity of the Muslim Ummah
- Revival of Islamic values and thought
Some of his famous poetic works include:
- Bang-e-Dra (The Call of the Marching Bell)
- Asrar-e-Khudi (Secrets of the Self)
- Payam-e-Mashriq (Message of the East)
- Bal-e-Jibril (Gabriel’s Wing)
He is lovingly known as Shair-e-Mashriq (Poet of the East) and Mufakkir-e-Pakistan (The Thinker of Pakistan).
🕌 Political Vision
Iqbal was not only a poet, but a visionary leader. In 1930, during a speech at the All-India Muslim League conference, he proposed the idea of a separate homeland for Muslims of India — a revolutionary concept at the time.
Though Iqbal passed away in 1938, before Pakistan became a reality in 1947, his thoughts laid the ideological foundation for the new nation.
🕊️ Legacy
Allama Iqbal’s influence remains strong in Pakistan and the wider Muslim world. His poetry is taught in schools, and his ideas continue to inspire movements for self-awareness, justice, and revival.
He passed away on April 21, 1938, and is buried near the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore.
“Khudi ko kar buland itna, ke har taqdeer se pehle
Khuda bande se khud poochhe, bata teri raza kya hai.”
(“Raise your selfhood so high, that even fate must ask you — what is your will?”)
📌 Conclusion
Allama Iqbal was more than just a poet. He was a thinker, reformer, and visionary who dreamed of a united and awakened Muslim nation. His life continues to inspire millions to seek knowledge, truth, and purpose.