From time to time, this blog will attempt to critique Allama Iqbal, considered to being Pakistan's national poet and its leading 'intellectual'. Whereas all great philosophers and thinkers have numerous critics who critique, find flaws and reevaluate their philosophies, testing to see if they stand the test of time and expansion of knowledge, Allama Iqbal has no critics.
On numerous occasions I inquired from the Iqbal Academy (located on 6th floor of Aiwan-e-Iqbal, Lahore) to assist me on a book critiquing Iqbal's philosophy or poetry. However, the only book on 'criticisms of Iqbal' in their computerized database was 'Allama Iqbal's criticism of western philosophy'.
While Iqbal may have 'implored' Muslims of the subcontinent to 'think and contemplate', practically he has proven to be an extremely stagnant force in both the intellectual and philosophical realm. The reasons exist in the ideas expounded in his book, 'Reconstruction of religious thought in Islam', a series of seven lectures.
The only person who has attempted to 'critique' Iqbal without inviting accusations of 'unpatriotism' and such forth is Javed Iqbal, the poet's son. A open, broader discussion on Iqbal's philosophy, its limitations, potential and ramifications is needed.
Pakistanis will eventually come to understand that there is more to philosophy and intellect than Iqbal.
As Iqbal would say, 'sitaroan say aagay jehaan aur bhi hain..." [there are world's that exist beyond our imaginations...]
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4 comments:
I will get in touch with a prof. who might be able to help.
btw, why is your profile restricted?
It would be a great service for Pakistan if the national poet were treated like a man who struggled to come to terms with his beliefs rather than someone who was stagnant, stale and preachy. The professor's input would be highly appreciated.
A critical exposition of Iqbal's philosophy -- S.E. Ashraf.
Iqbāl kī k̲h̲āmīyān -- Josh Malsiyānī ; taʻāruf, Kālī Dās Guptā Razā
(These books are published in India so it might be biased or from Indian point of view.)
Development of Iqbal's mind & thought -- Ghulam Hussain Zulfiqar (published in Lahore).
I think this is the closest to what you are looking for. There are other books that look at the influences on his work and the historical context of his writings:
http://search2.library.utoronto.ca/UTL/index?N=0&Ntk=Subject&Ntt=iqbal&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&Nu=p_work_normalized&Np=1&formName=search_form_simple&
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