Iqbal Day – An Overview
Iqbal day is celebrated in the memory of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, who is also known as Allama Iqbal. He was a great philosopher. Allama Iqbal is also recognized as the national poet of Pakistan. It was his poetry that united the Muslims of the sub-continent at one point. He worked throughout his life so that the Muslims of the sub-continent could recognize their strength and their right to live as a nation.
(Beautiful work by “youtoonify”)#علامہ_اقبال #9November pic.twitter.com/DFkJUQcIKG
— 🇫 🇦 🇮 🇿 🇪 🇪 🇭 🇪 🇷 🇪 (@Faizeehere) November 9, 2021
His poetry produced immense strength in Muslims so that they became able to stand to get freedom, and later they succeeded in achieving their separate identity in the form of Pakistan. Due to the great efforts of Allama Iqbal, the entire Pakistani nation and the government of Pakistan pay high tribute to him on his birthday.
Ideology Of Allama Iqbal
Initially, Allama Iqbal believed strongly in the Hindu-Muslim union, but due to the extreme behavior and narrow-mindedness of Congress, his thinking changed. So, he proposed the Ideology of Pakistan and awakened the Muslims through his poetry. According to Allama Iqbal:
- The ideology of Pakistan is in fact the ideology of Islam.
- Islam was the only way to save and preserve the identity and culture of Muslims.
- Muslims wanted a separate state where they could live independently and could freely follow the rules of Islam.
Allahabad Address 1930
The address that Allama Iqbal delivered at Allahabad in 1930 is very famous in the history of Pakistan. Allama Iqbal demanded a separate state for the first time in his presidential address in the following words:
The formation of a consolidated North-West Indian Muslim state appears to me to be the final destiny of Muslims, at least of North-West India. The life of Islam as a cultural force in this living country largely depends on its centralization in a specified territory, I, therefore, demand the formation of a consolidated Muslim State in the best interests of India and Islam.
In his speech, Iqbal emphasized and put stress on the unique and separate identity of the Muslims. He said that there was a high need for the political unity of the Muslims, and that their identity should not be mixed and blended into a vast society of different religions, cultures, and languages. Muslims have a separate identity, so it should be preserved, and there should be a separate homeland for them so that they could live freely and practice Islamic laws and norms.
Revival of Islamic Policy
In 1930, in Lahore, Iqbal’s six English lectures were published in which there was stress on the role of Islam as a religion and as a legal and political philosophy in the modern age. Iqbal also expressed his feelings that the spiritual foundations of Islam would be weakened by secularism.
In these lectures, Iqbal strongly criticized misguided political attitudes that were attached to power and had no interest in creating a better environment for the Muslims.
Iqbal’s Concept of Khudi
Khudi, meaning selfhood or the inner self, is the central concept of Iqbal’s philosophy. He first presented it in his Persian work Asrar-e-Khudi (The Secrets of the Self), published in 1915. For Iqbal, Khudi is not pride or arrogance; it is the discovery and development of one’s own hidden potential through faith, love, and continuous action. He taught that a person who strengthens his Khudi rises above fear and dependence, shapes his own destiny, and serves his nation with dignity. This message of self-realization awakened the Muslims of the sub-continent and remains a core theme of his poetry that is recited every year on Iqbal Day. A detailed study of the concept is available in “Khudi: The Self the Sahaba Lived, and Iqbal Named“, which can also be read in Urdu as “خودی: وہ خود جو صحابہ نے جیا، اور اقبال نے نام دیا“.
Why do We Celebrate Iqbal Day?
Iqbal day is the birthday of Allama Muhammad Iqbal which is celebrated every year on the 9th of November. There is a public holiday all over the country. Teachers motivate the children in schools to prepare speeches to describe the dignity of their National hero.
Also, they present beautiful tableaus by wearing traditional costumes to recite his poetry. All institutions like to hold functions in different forms to recall the efforts of Allama Iqbal and to refresh the essence of literature and unfold his sacrifices and enlighten his efforts for the betterment of the Muslims.
These institutions celebrate these events in order to promote moral values among the students by reminding them of the struggles and efforts of their national heroes who ventured their lives for the well-being of their nation. Iqbal day is highly celebrated as he is our national hero who motivated and stimulated Muslims to get freedom and also has envisioned the ideology of Pakistan.
Importance of Iqbal Day
In addition to schools, a large number of literary and cultural organizations also conduct programs at the regional level to remember Allama Iqbal and his work. The entire nation shows its love on Iqbal Day. The guard change ceremony is held every year by the government of Pakistan at his grave, called “Mazaar-e-Iqbal,” which shows the importance of Iqbal day. Mazaar-e-Iqbal is located in the Hazuri Bagh, in between the Badshahi Mosque and the great Lahore Fort.
Biography of Allama Iqbal
Allama Iqbal was born on 9th November 1877 in Sialkot.
Parents
His father’s name was Sheikh Noor Muhammad, who was a tailor. His mother, Imam Bibi, was a very humble and polite woman. Allama Iqbal loved his mother dearly.
On her death on 9th November 1914, Iqbal suffered from severe grief. He also expressed his feelings in poetic form, “Every atom of creation is a prisoner of fate”.
Siblings
Sheikh Ata Muhammad was the brother of Allama Iqbal and his sister was Zaynab Bibi.
Spouse
Iqbal married Karim Bibi in 1895. Khan Bahadur Ata Muhammad Khan, who was a physician, was the father of Karim Bibi. At the time of marriage, Iqbal’s age was 18 years.
In December 1914, Iqbal married his second wife, Mukhtar Begum. She died in 1924 after giving birth to a son, and the newborn did not survive either.
Later, Iqbal married Sardar Begum. The couple became the parents of a son named Javed Iqbal.
Offspring
Iqbal was blessed with two children from Karim Bibi. A daughter named Miraj Begum (1895–1915) and a son, Aftab Iqbal (1899–1979) who became a barrister.
Javed Iqbal, who was a son from Sardar Begum, was born in 1924. He became a judge and died in 2015.
Sardar Begum also gave birth to a daughter named Muneera Bano. She was born in 1930.
Religion
Allama Iqbal belonged to a religious family. His mother often helped poor and needy people. Iqbal’s ancestors were Kashmiri Brahmins of the Sapru clan who later converted to Islam.
Nationality
Allama Iqbal was a British Indian national of mixed ethnicity. His father was from Kashmir, and his mother was a Punjabi Muslim from Sialkot.
Education: Where Did Iqbal Graduate From?
Allama Iqbal got his early education from Syed Mir Hassan in Sialkot. He learned Quran Majeed when he was only four years old. Iqbal got admission to Scotch Mission College and completed his matriculation in 1893.
In 1895, he completed his intermediate (Faculty of Arts) diploma. He also learned the Arabic language, and in 1897 he won the medal because he performed well in Arabic.
He also did a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and English literature from Government College University.
Higher Education and Career
Sir Thomas Arnold was the philosophy teacher of Iqbal who convinced him to go to England for higher education.
In 1905, Iqbal went to England and qualified for a scholarship from the University of Cambridge. He got a Bachelor of Arts in 1906. In the same year, Iqbal was “called to the bar” (a term used in most common law jurisdictions) as a barrister at Lincoln’s Inn.
In 1907, Iqbal traveled to Germany and earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich in 1908.
Allama Iqbal had a deep insight into nature. He was highly educated, and his poetry had a vision in it due to which he got the titles Hakeem-ul-Ummat (Sage of the Ummah) and Mufakkir-e-Pakistan (the Thinker of Pakistan).
Death of Allama Iqbal
Allama Iqbal suffered a throat illness in 1933 after he returned from a trip to Afghanistan and Spain. He died on 21 April 1938.
Every year, not only thousands of Muslims but also non-Muslims like to pay tribute to him due to his sincere efforts and heart touching poetry:
Allama Muhammad Iqbal Born on November 9, 1877 in Sialkot – died on April 21, 1938. “When truth has no burning, then it is philosophy, when it gets burning from the heart, it becomes poetry” – Muhammad Iqbal #AllamaIqbal pic.twitter.com/0wfGemjn0U
— MARY… THE IRISH INSAFIAN (@IRISHINSAFIAN) April 21, 2020
The tomb of Allama Iqbal is present in Lahore. In his final years, he helped Niaz Ali to establish a Trust named Dar ul Islam.
He also frequently visited the Dargah of the famous Sufi Ali Hijwiri for spiritual assistance. His efforts were exceptional, and this is the reason why he is famous all over the world.
His work has been translated into several languages and is read all over the world.
Famous Books of Urdu Poetry by Allama Iqbal
Allama Iqbal also wrote poetry in English and Persian. His book Armughan-e-Hijaz is a mix of Urdu and Persian.
The work of Allama Iqbal played a considerable part in the creation of Pakistan. Now we enjoy the freedom and breathe in the atmosphere of a separate country where we can spend our lives according to our traditions and can openly fulfill our religious obligations without any fear.
Iqbal Day Poetry is very popular among Pakistanis. People love to share his poetry. Iqbal’s philosophy is still valid, and his ideas are reflected in his poetry and touch the hearts of Muslims.
Iqbal Day Quotes
Iqbal Day celebrations are held at the highest level all across the country, which is proof that the Pakistani nation can never forget his work. In this digital period, youngsters love to upload Iqbal Day Quotes at their social status. Some of the attractive quotes are:
Nations are mothers of ideals; but ideals, in course of time, become pregnant and give birth to new nations.
Failure is not fatal until we surrender; trying again is the key to glorious victory.
An unbeliever is he who follows predestination even if he is Muslim, Faithful is he, if he himself is the Divine Destiny.
If faith is lost, there is no security and there is no life for him who does not adhere to religion.
Allama Iqbal is still alive in our hearts, and our generations will always remain thankful for him, and will always love him.
Allama Iqbal is our national hero and poet. your post is very great because it is about the great leader of Pakistan. Thanks for sharing your post.
Nice post that you have shared with us. Bundle of thanks for sharing your post with us.
Thanks for sharing i love iqbal poetry