Is Iqbal overrated?

[chharoonahmad]

Hi

I do not intend to offend you or be disrespectful to anyone. As you can see, I'm not a native English speaker so my choice of words could affect what I really want to say and you may misinterpret me. Whatever I write below could be wrong and I would like you to correct me. Thank you.

I have noticed that Muhammad Iqbal, known as Allama Iqbal, is somewhat overrated. One cannot blame him for this because this is our way of venerating our historic personalities. We tend to associate so much respect with an individual that it starts bordering on idolization. For instance, take the case of Abdul Qadeer Khan. Yes, I agree that he played a part in Pakistan's journey toward nuclearization but why all the credit is given to him alone (it seems he himself also thinks that he is solely responsible for the bomb's acquisition). What about other persons such as Dr. Munir Ahmed who was famously called "the real 'father' of Pakistan's atom bomb program"? The sad part is most Pakistanis don't even know the name of these persons. As many of you are aware that Stanley Wolpert's book Jinnah of Pakistan is still banned in Pakistan for the reasons that it contains some details which are deemed untrue by Pakistani authorities (and by perhaps many Pakistanis as well). Mr. Jinnah was one of the "truest" and genuine persons. A man with integrity, dignity, and sense of duty. But still he wasn't an angel or saint and he needed not to be. He had some flaws (perhaps only for some time during his youth!). If someone reads Wolpert's three books on three mighty personalities of the subcontinent, Jinnah, Nehru, and Gandhi, you would see see Jinnah was in no way a lesser leader than Gandhi or Nehru (in my opinion in the light of the books he is superior and 'genuine' than the others). I highly appreciate Wolpert's banned book. As a side note, I was very much saddened when many people were protesting against bringing back the coffin of Ch. Rehmat Ali to Pakistan from England? Doesn't he have any claim to our respects?

Now coming back to the topic. Mr. Iqbal was a good poet. No arguing about that. But the subcontinent has produced so many good poets and sadly the works of many of those have slipped into oblivion. There is so much stress on Iqbal's poetry that the work of other poets has been overshadowed. As far as Iqbal poetry is concerned sometimes it is nothing less that sermon (or, Moulvi's kalam) in verse form. I still admire his poetry. Then, I see M. Iqbal is called a philosopher. Well, I know he wrote one? book on philosophy which I believe wasn't appreciated that much and even he himself wasn't satisfied with it. I don't see any philosophical side. Perhaps, he was but he didn't write much on philosophy. I remember in a certain book it was mentioned that he had quite of few love interests and then that case against him in the red district. I still admire, respect, and hold him in high esteem. It's just that his biographical record is a bit plagued with lies and some of it quite exaggerated.

Thank you for reading this patiently.

Best regards
Haroon

 

[rollindays]

Those who don't understand the depth of his poetry think he is overrated.

 

[yousaf goebbels]

Hi

I do not intend to offend you or be disrespectful to anyone. As you can see, I'm not a native English speaker so my choice of words could affect what I really want to say and you may misinterpret me. Whatever I write below could be wrong and I would like you to correct me. Thank you.

I have noticed that Muhammad Iqbal, known as Allama Iqbal, is somewhat overrated. One cannot blame him for this because this is our way of venerating our historic personalities. We tend to associate so much respect with an individual that it starts bordering on idolization. For instance, take the case of Abdul Qadeer Khan. Yes, I agree that he played a part in Pakistan's journey toward nuclearization but why all the credit is given to him alone (it seems he himself also thinks that he is solely responsible for the bomb's acquisition). What about other persons such as Dr. Munir Ahmed who was famously called "the real 'father' of Pakistan's atom bomb program"? The sad part is most Pakistanis don't even know the name of these persons. As many of you are aware that Stanley Wolpert's book Jinnah of Pakistan is still banned in Pakistan for the reasons that it contains some details which are deemed untrue by Pakistani authorities (and by perhaps many Pakistanis as well). Mr. Jinnah was one of the "truest" and genuine persons. A man with integrity, dignity, and sense of duty. But still he wasn't an angel or saint and he needed not to be. He had some flaws (perhaps only for some time during his youth!). If someone reads Wolpert's three books on three mighty personalities of the subcontinent, Jinnah, Nehru, and Gandhi, you would see see Jinnah was in no way a lesser leader than Gandhi or Nehru (in my opinion in the light of the books he is superior and 'genuine' than the others). I highly appreciate Wolpert's banned book. As a side note, I was very much saddened when many people were protesting against bringing back the coffin of Ch. Rehmat Ali to Pakistan from England? Doesn't he have any claim to our respects?

Now coming back to the topic. Mr. Iqbal was a good poet. No arguing about that. But the subcontinent has produced so many good poets and sadly the works of many of those have slipped into oblivion. There is so much stress on Iqbal's poetry that the work of other poets has been overshadowed. As far as Iqbal poetry is concerned sometimes it is nothing less that sermon (or, Moulvi's kalam) in verse form. I still admire his poetry. Then, I see M. Iqbal is called a philosopher. Well, I know he wrote one? book on philosophy which I believe wasn't appreciated that much and even he himself wasn't satisfied with it. I don't see any philosophical side. Perhaps, he was but he didn't write much on philosophy. I remember in a certain book it was mentioned that he had quite of few love interests and then that case against him in the red district. I still admire, respect, and hold him in high esteem. It's just that his biographical record is a bit plagued with lies and some of it quite exaggerated.

Thank you for reading this patiently.

Best regards
Haroon

Message of condolence on the death of Sir Muhammad Iqbal,

Calcutta, April 21, 1938
The Star of India, April 22, 1938

Mr. M. A. Jinnah issued the following condolence message on the death of Allama Iqbal:

I am extremely sorry to hear the sad news of the death of Sir Muhammad Iqbal. He was a remarkable poet of world wide fame and his work will live for ever. His services to his country and the Muslims are so numerous that his record can be compared with that of the greatest Indian that ever lived. He was an ex-President of the All-India Muslim League and a President of the Provincial Muslim League of the Punjab till the very recent time when his unforeseen illness compelled him to resign. But he was the staunchest and the most loyal champion of the policy and programme of the All-India Muslim League.

To me he was a friend, guide and philosopher and during the darkest moments through which the Muslim League had to go, he stood like a rock and never flinched one single moment and as a result just only three days ago he must have read of been informed of the complete unity that was achieved in Calcutta of the Muslim leaders of the Punjab and today I can say with pride that the Muslims of Punjab are wholeheartedly with the League and have come under the flag of the All-India Muslim League, which must have been a matter of greatest satisfaction to him. In the achievement of this unity Sir Muhammad Iqbal played a most signal part. My sincerest and deepest sympathy go out to his family at this moment in their bereavement in losing him, and it is a terrible loss to India and the Muslims particularly at this juncture.

.................................................................
Message by Jinnah on Iqbal Day being celebrated at Lahore, New Delhi, December 8, 1944
The Dawn, December 11, 1944

To the cherished memory of our National Poet Iqbal, I pay my homage on this day, which is being celebrated in commemoration of that great poet, sage, philosopher and thinker, and I pray to God Almighty that his soul may rest in eternal peace. Amen!

Though he is not amongst us, his verse, immortal as it is, is always there to guide us and to inspire us. His poetry, besides being beautiful in form and sweet in language, presents to us a picture of the mind and heart of this great poet, and we find how deeply he was devoted to the teachings of Islam. He was a true and faithful follower of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), a Muslim first and a Muslim last. He was the interpreter and voice of Islam.

 

[superNova]

allam iqbal asked quaid e azam to go back and form pakistan, and his poetry also reflects the foundation and ideology and concept of pakistan

 

[yousaf goebbels]

Comment made after the passage of Lahore Resolution, March 23, 1940
Jinnah, Creator of Pakistan by Hector Bolitho (London, 1954), p.129

Sometime after this meeting, Jinnah turned to Matlub Saiyid, who had been present at the Lahore session, and said:

"Iqbal is no more amongst us, but had he been alive he would have been happy to know that we did exactly what he wanted us to do."

..........................................................................

Message on Iqbal Day, Lahore, March 20, 1943
The Dawn, March 21, 1943

The following message has been issued by Mr. M. A. Jinnah on the occasion of celebration of Iqbal Day:

“Dare and Live” is Iqbal’s message. Optimism, industry, faith, self-confidence and courage are the principles on which Iqbal bases his philosophy and which he believes are the essential factors for the purification of human soul and for the elevation of human character. The obstacles and setbacks in life, according to him, make the life worth living. The sacrifices and losses, made and incurred in the service of a right cause nd for noble principles elevates a nation and makes life more glorious and worth living.

Iqbal never believed in failure. he believed in the superiority of mankind over all the rest that God created. In fact he was convinced that man is a collection of all that is best in God’s universe. Only man does not know himself. Man has but to utilize his great potentialities and to use them in the right direction for the realization of that “self” which finds itself so near to God; and Islam is the code which has prescribed easy ways and means for that realization.

Iqbal was not only a philosopher but also a practical politician. He was one of the first to conceive of the feasibility of the division of India on national lines as the only solution of India’s political problem. He was one of the most powerful though tacit precursors and heralds of the modern political evolution of Muslim India.

Iqbal, therefore, rises above the average philosopher, as the essence of his teachings is a beautiful blend of thought and action. He combines in himself the idealism of a poet and the realism of a man who took practical view of things. In Iqbal this compromise is essentially Islamic. In fact it is nothing but Islam. His ideal therefore is life according to the teachings of Islam with a motto “Dare and Live.”

I wholeheartedly associate myself with the efforts of the Iqbal Day Committee in celebrating the Poet’s Day on his birthday and I hope and pray that every one of us may be able to live up to the ideals Iqbal preached by his beautiful national poems and which have now embedded the doctrine of Pakistan into the heart and soul of Muslim India which is now burning very brightly, never to be extinguished.

 

[yousaf goebbels]

allam iqbal asked quaid e azam to go back and form pakistan, and his poetry also reflects the foundation and ideology and concept of pakistan

thats what butt hurted the OP

 

[Icarus]

No doubt this land has produced a number of fine poets. Waris Shah, Bulleh Shah in Punjabi, Sachal Sarmast and Shah Abdul Latif in Sindhi, Rehman Baba and Khushal Khan Khattak in Pushto. Their works have not been forgotten but in fact have survived the test of time without any loss or corruption. Allama Iqbal holds that importance in Urdu poetry. Whereas Momin, Atish, Ghalib were also fine poets, their work lacks the depth of Iqbal's poetry, simple, elegant yet thought-provoking and enchanting. If you think it is over-rated then you should give it another read, this time with your full concentration.

 

[Xestan]

Jinnah alone did not create Pakistan, keep this in mind.

Iqbal was the driving force which brought Quaid back from London to India after he had left with disappointment.

Lets see what Quaid said about Iqbal :

Reported Speech at a public meeting to mourn the death of Allama Iqbal, Calcutta, April 21, 1938
The Star of India, April 22, 1938

Mr. M. A. Jinnah said that the sorrowful news of the death of Dr. Sir Muhammad Iqbal had plunged the world of Islam in gloom mourning. Sir Iqbal was undoubtedly one of the greatest poets, philosophers and seers of humanity of all times. He took a prominent part in the politics of the country and in the intellectual and cultural reconstruction of the Islamic world. His contribution to the literature and thought of the world will live for ever.

“To me he was a personal friend, philosopher and guide and as such the main source of my inspiration and spiritual support. While he was ailing in his bed it was he who as the President of the Punjab Provincial Muslim League, stood single-handed as a rock in the darkest days in the Punjab by the side of the League banner, undaunted by the opposition of the whole world. When on account of his serious illness he was confined to bed, he resigned the post of the Presidentship of the Punjab League but was instead elected its Patron. He still continued to guide the work of the Punjab League from his bed and had somebody to reply to all letters concerning the League. It would have been a matter of great satisfaction for him to hear the news with great delight that the Bengal and Punjab Muslims were absolutely united on the sommon platform of the All-India Muslim League. In that achievement the unseen contribution of Dr. Sir Muhammad Iqbal was the greatest. No greater blow has struck the Muslims at this juncture.”

Comment made after the passage of Lahore Resolution, March 23, 1940
Jinnah, Creator of Pakistan by Hector Bolitho (London, 1954), p.129

Sometime after this meeting, Jinnah turned to Matlub Saiyid, who had been present at the Lahore session, and said:

Iqbal is no more amongst us, but had he been alive he would have been happy to know that we did exactly what he wanted us to do.

Reported presidential speech in Iqbal Day meeting, Lahore, March 25, 1940
The Civil & Military Gazette, March 26, 1940

If I live to see ideal of a Muslim State being achieved in India and I were then offered to make a choice between the works of Iqbal and the rulership of the Muslim state, I would prefer the former.

This view was expressed by Mr. M. A. Jinnah presiding over the second session of the “Iqbal Day” held in the University Hall, Lahore.

Continuing, Mr. Jinnah said that in April 1936, he thought of transforming the Muslim League, which was then only an academical institution, into a parliament of the Muslims of India. From that time to the end of his life, he continued, Iqbal stood like a rock by him.

Iqbal, Mr. Jinnah said, was not only a great poet who had a permanent place in the history of the world’s best literature, he was a dynamic personality who, during his life time, made the greatest contribution towards rousing and developing of Muslim national consciousness. He compared Iqbal with great literary figures of England like Milton and Shelley.

 

[Raja.Pakistani]

No, he is not overrated but you are trying to underestimate him. He was a great poet, philosopher and scholar and there are some reasons if he was known as Muffkar e Pakistan , Shair-e-Mashriq and Hakeem-ul-Ummat and you said why he called as philosopher if he wrote only one book on philosophy lol dude his philosophy is present in his poetry . How many books of Dr Iqbal you read so far? How many poems you actually understood? We know most of his work is in Persian language which common Pakistani cannot understand without the help of urdu/farsi teacher

"Dhondane wala sitaron ki guzar gahon ka
Apne afkar ki dunia mein safar kar na saka;
Jis ne sooraj ki shoaon ko girftar kia
Zindgi ki shabe tarek seher kar na saka."

(The seeker of tracks of stars failed to travel in the world of his thoughts; one who imprisoned beams of the sun flopped to enlighten dark night of his life)

 

[iPhone]

you think Dr. Iqbal is overrated but your critique on such a magnificent personality is not even a ten-line-long paragraph. You deviated from your criticism right away by mentioning and comparing him other political figures, scientists, poets who have nothing to do with Iqbal. In your critique you should have analyzed a book or even a small poem of his to bring forth your point of why you think he's overrated.

In the end, you concluded your opinion, devoid of any literal analytical work, by generalizing that as a society we have habit of giving too much credit for heroism where it isn't much due. A solid F- effort, if you ask me. No offense.

 

[Last Hope]

He is the best. Creating Pakistan was much easier task than what he took. Getting the Pakistani youth on its feets. His work is still admired till date, and what he tried to convoy in the stories, are applicable even today.. If we start getting the message and following it, Pakistan can be one great NATION.

People just dont bother and underestimate him. He was one of the greatest son of the soil.

 

[yousaf goebbels]

you think Dr. Iqbal is overrated but your critique on such a magnificent personality is not even a ten-line-long paragraph. You deviated from your criticism right away by mentioning and comparing him other political figures, scientists, poets who have nothing to do with Iqbal. In your critique you should have analyzed a book or even a small poem of his to bring forth your point of why you think he's overrated.

In the end, you concluded your opinion, devoid of any literal analytical work, by generalizing that as a society we have habit of giving too much credit for heroism where it isn't much due. A solid F- effort, if you ask me. No offense.

well sir that was lame attempt by him...thats the best secular fascists can do....first they used to tell the Pakistanis that Jinnah and Iqbal are secular but when we showed them the Quotes of Jinnah and Poems of Iqbal where they talks about Islam..love for Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the glorious past of muslims and telling muslims in his poems that you will reach glory one day...keep fighting for it and taking about ummah.....
then the secular fascists say oh the bubble is bursted so now they do know it in hearts that Jinnah and Iqbal were not seculars so they try the plan B...plan B is what the OP just attempted.

here is a poem by iqbal

Nikal kay sehra say jis nay Roma ki saltanat ko ulat diya tha
Suna hai qudsiyon say main nay, wo sher phir hoshyar ho ga



Sher phir sai hoshiar honay wala hai.....Italy which is running Nato should watch out as it voilates are our sovereignity through helicopters and it killed our soldiers to in one of such raid.

 

[Pakistanisage]

THE TITLE OF YOUR THREAD IS INCOMPLETE AND CONFUSING. YOU ASK " IS IQBAL OVERRATED ? " .

OVER RATED AS WHAT ????

OVER RATED AS A POET ???

OVER RATED AS A LEADER ???

OVER RATED AS A HUMAN BEING ????

WHAT EXACTLY ARE YOU GETTING AT ???

IF YOUR QUESTION IS " IS IQBAL OVER RATED AS A POET ? " , THEN I WOULD HAVE TO SAY NO. IN MY HUMBLE OPINION HE WAS AN OUTSTANDING POET AND INSPIRED HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WITH HIS POETRY WORLDWIDE.

I THINK I WOULD HAVE TO AGREE WITH YOU THAT WE MUSLIMS IN GENERAL AND PAKISTANIS IN SPECIFIC TEND TO TREAST OUR LEADERS AS PHROPHETS OF GOD. LEADERS LIKE IQBAL AND JINNAH WERE LARGER THAN LIFE PERSONALITIES , BUT THEY WERE NOT PROPHETS. THEY WERE NORMAL HUMANS AND HAD THEIR FLAWS.

JUST BECAUSE WE PREFER REMEMBER THEM FOR THEIR POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS SHOULD NOT LEAD US TO BELIEVE THAT THEY WERE PERFECT.