In the history of our beloved country, November 9 always reminds us of the great and inspiring teachings of Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal (1877-1938), who was not only a poet but also a source of great inspiration for reshaping the spiritual and intellectual direction of the Muslim world. Iqbal Day is the occasion to honour the great Muslim poet and philosopher from the Subcontinent. His intellectual contribution in Urdu and Persian on religion, philosophy, science, art, politics, economics, nationalism, the revival of Muslim life, and also for the youth to inspire them to discover their true potential, identity, and strive for greatness. The most important and notable intellectual contribution is “The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam”. Iqbal left a legacy of wisdom and knowledge that inspired young minds to maximise their potential. Iqbal’s inspiring teachings encourage the nation’s youth to strive for success and greatness, enabling them to live purposeful, ambitious, and resilient lives. The most inspiring and meaningful teachings of Dr Muhammad Iqbal are as follows:
Iqbal envisioned a generation of youth empowered with faith, courage, and self-awareness, a generation capable of leading humanity with wisdom and power.
Khudi (Selfhood): It is a very foundational and central concept of Iqbal’s poetry. Allama Muhammad Iqbal truly believes true greatness and power are found within oneself. He considered selfhood, or Khudi, as the ability to recognise one’s own potential and uniqueness. Iqbal motivated the youth of the nation to make a strong sense of self-worth and confidence. This philosophical concept of Iqbal is dedicated to the spiritual, intellectual, and moral growth of the individual.
“Raise yourself to such a level that before every destiny, God himself asks the person, Tell me your wish.”
Iqbal’s wisdom towards selfhood is to encourage young people to believe in their unique traits and to live their lives with grace.
The Spirit of Shaheen (Eagle): Iqbal’s poetry, the shaheen is one of the most powerful metaphors that symbolise power, courage, visionary, highly focused, versatile, resilient, strong, persistent, and known as the king of the birds. The eagle represents courage, bravery, independence, and aspiration. The eagle, as compared to other birds, flies high above the sky and confronts challenges, complications, and hardships with bravery. Young minds should be like eagles; they must believe in acquiring worldly stuff through effort instead of comforts. While avoiding worldly distractions and aiming high for greatness, according to Iqbal:
“You are an eagle; you are destined to rise; you’ll have more skies to conquer.”
Dignity and Freedom: The falcon has multiple traits and key virtues that the youth must cultivate. Iqbal’s thought-provoking poetry inspires the youth to reject dependency on others and embrace self-esteem, hard work, and struggle. The rejection of the comfort zone, servitude, and ease. They must adopt a dynamic, active, and creative life. The nation needs such youth who are truly innovators, thinkers, problem solvers, and contributors. A life full of courage, independence, and relentless efforts can hold immense power and strength if one dares to live like an eagle.
(Your home is not the dome of royal palaces; you are a falcon, your dwelling is on mountain cliffs.)
Hard Work: The philosophy of Iqbal and his vision focuses on hard work and perseverance. He considered that facing the hardship and problems is crucial for developing character, personality, and integrity. He advises young minds to make continuous efforts, work hard, and stay determined to face challenges. He said:
“There are other worlds that exist beyond the star, and there will be more tests of passion.”
Iqbal urges young people to keep on moving and
4. Acquisition of Knowledge: Knowledge is a form of inner strength, especially if it is rooted in a strong sense of identity and purpose. Iqbal believed that knowledge was an effective and powerful tool for both individual and collective growth. Since education is necessary to comprehend the world and make a meaningful contribution, Iqbal urged young people to pursue wisdom via both spiritual and secular knowledge. According to Iqbal:
“Iqbal is not hopeless with his shipwreck; this soil can bloom again.”
Iqbal Profound Love with the Holy Quran)Allama Iqbal’s poetry is mostly influenced by the Quran Pak, the Wise Guide, and Hadees Mubarak, which shows his profound love for Allah and the Holy Prophet (SAAW). He urges Muslims to internalise the Quran. Iqbal was a true student of the Holy Quran. The Quran, as the wise guide and mighty rope of Allah, comprehensively addresses all the essential needs of human life, providing suitable solutions to the problems facing the Muslims of the world. Iqbal said: The real reason for your humiliation is that you left the Quran and began to doubt the circulation of time. The young minds can attain a high position and grace by following the teachings of the Holy Quran, and the decline could lead to a rise. Iqbal also emphasised the importance of pondering on the universe and the need to pursue knowledge while preserving a spiritual sense of respect, which results in a more educated and equitable understanding of our position in the universe.
“To measure time and space is the station of fikr, To recite: Exalted be my Lord, Most High is the station of dhikr.”
Dynamic Revolutionary Power: The great poet Iqbal’s golden words indicate that spiritual development and practical power lie in a strong relationship with the Holy Quran.
“He instructed that, O Muslim man, dive deep into the Qur’an; May God grant you innovation and a surging power (a dynamic revolutionary power)
Brotherhood: The true strength and the real greatness come from unity. In his poetry on brotherhood, Allama Iqbal highlights that Muslims should be united despite differences in race, nationality, and class. According to Iqbal, genuine brotherhood is a spiritual tie based on empathy, compassion, and the same goal.
“This is nature’s destiny; this is Islam’s secret: a great deal of love and worldwide brotherhood”.
Below are other beautiful words in this context by the great poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal:
“Greed divides mankind; it has replaced the language of love and a statement of brotherhood”.
Be a Helping Hand and the Rainbow in Someone’s Clouds: Young people have a moral obligation to devote their lives to helping the poor and underprivileged in their surroundings. They must become the light in darkness and the rainbow in someone’s clouds. They have to express their love, compassion, and solidarity with people who are suffering and have fewer resources in society. Iqbal’s words demonstrate empathy, compassion, and a sense of great responsibility to the people in need.
“Let my purpose be to support the poor, to show love to those who are in pain, and to the weak.”
Leadership: According to the vision of Iqbal, for true leadership, the youth of the nation must embrace the values of justice, integrity, and honesty to make this country and the nation great on the world stage. Iqbal encouraged young people they lead the nation after adopting such traits, i.e., truthfulness, justice, bravery, honesty, and integrity.
“Learn the values of justice, truth, and bravery; you will be asked to lead the world.”
Respect your Norms and Values: Dr Muhammad Iqbal expected youth and guided them to take pride in their norms and values. He believed that respecting one’s cultural background improves personality and character and that honouring a person’s identity is crucial for respect for themselves. Iqbal said:
“Do not compare your nation to the nations of the West. The nation of the Hashimi Prophet (SAW) is special in its composition”.
I would like to say that the Shaheen, the youth of the nation, must embody and apply the inspiring teachings of the great poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal in their lives. Iqbal envisioned a generation of youth empowered with faith, courage, and self-awareness, a generation capable of leading humanity with wisdom and power. True accomplishment and lasting success, Iqbal taught, demand perseverance, commitment, dedication, truthfulness, justice, and honesty. The youth must cultivate strong willpower and determination to achieve something truly meaningful. Iqbal wished the young generation to discover their own worth, to rise above comfort zones, and to lead with vision and purpose. Comfort may seem safe, but it never leads one to greatness. The dream within young minds is still alive. They must nurture it, work for it, and let it guide them toward their destiny. Iqbal’s inspiring teachings remain a beacon of hope, awakening the leaders, thinkers, and reformers who continue to influence and uplift the world. INSHA ALLAH.
The writer is a freelance columnist.