Allama Iqbal's Advice to the Muslim Youth of Today!

 

Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal

"I have never considered myself a poet. Therefore, I am not a rival of anyone, and I do not consider anybody my rival. I have no interest in poetic artistry. But, yes, I have a special goal in mind for whose expression I use the medium of poetry considering the condition and the customs of this country."- Allama Iqbal

One of the greatest Muslim thinker, poet and philosopher of the present era, Dr. Muhammad Iqbal was not only an eloquent poet but also a spiritual guide who gave the Muslim millet a road map suffering from an identity crisis then and now.

Allama Iqbal was of the opinion that the youth alone can bring about a difference in the society but was often disappointed seeing the youth dwell upon materialistic western culture and get attracted to its glamour.

 Today the condition of the community has deteriorated to such an extent that hesitation, doubt and despondency has become an intrinsic character of a Muslim, the Muslim today takes pride in the heroic stories of the pious predecessors yet is sadly ignorant of making it a living story in his practical life. The youth and the Muslim as a whole have grown lazy and ease loving.

The reason for this explains Allama is that the Muslim has neglected the spiritual sphere of his existence which is the legacy of the prophets and has reduced himself into a desire machine, following the commands of the Nafs (the lower self) he has gifted himself into the hands of Satan.

Allama Iqbal propounded the concept of Khudi, in his famous Persian work Asrar e Khudi (Secrets of the Self) one can acknowledge Iqbal’s theory in understanding the human self. Iqbal describes it as a force when developed in a man can be a tool for him to receive divine guidance from which he differentiates between good and evil. It is a supernatural force given to the chosen few who undertake and undergo a strenuous stage to purify themselves from the lower self.

Iqbal says: ‘Self control in individuals builds families; in countries, it builds empires.’

Iqbal says in Bal e Jibreel (wings of Gabriel)

Ye Peyam De Gayi Hai Mujhe Bad-e-Subahgahi

Ke Khudi Ke Arifon Ka Hai Maqam Padshahi

The Morning breeze has whispered to me a secret,

That those who know their Self-hood, are equal to Kings.

History is a witness that any person who undertook extraordinary tasks which seemed impossible, according to Iqbal had a special relationship with God and his Apostle due to which they took upon themselves to purify their Nafs under the guidance of their Shaykh.

Be it Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi (ra) the liberator of Jerusalem, Sultan Mehmet II the conqueror of Constantinople, Alparslan second sultan of Seljuk dynasty who was instrumental in stopping Mongols to enter western lands. 

The list is never ending, the amount of Muslim dynasties, Emperors, Military Generals who have undertaken tasks of extraordinary stature is worth reading and saints for that matter who undertook to bring about a reformatory work and change the hearts of millions with the light of Islam is unspeakable. 

Inspite of this Iqbal claims that the Muslim Millet is like an ocean in which waves continue to rise and subside but its reality is unchangeable as it has the message of Moses and Abraham and all the divine Apostles.

Iqbal encourages the youth to surrender themselves to a Mard e Qalandar (Man of God) for spiritual rectification and to change one’s pattern of life in accordance with the ordinances of God and his Apostle. Iqbal says in Zarb e Kalim (The Rod of Moses) one of his exemplary poetic work,

Kehta Hai Zamane Se Ye Darvesh-e- Jawan Mard

Jata Hai Jidhar Banda e Haq, Tu Bhi Udhar Ja!

 The only way today’s youth can free itself from the tangles of  worldly desires, greed, anxiety, jealousy, is by realizing his transcendental self as he affirms tawhid (oneness of God) from his heart in the company of his guide only then can he truly be called the Viceroy of God on Earth, a position which God Himself endows upon his true believers in the holy Qur’an.

   Allama Iqbal considers Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi as his spiritual guide and mentor as he himself says in his poem -

“A man of penetrating insight, Rumi, my mentor,

He has an abode higher than the sun and moon,

Of the milky way he makes his canopy’s string.

With the light of the Qur’an his bosom radiates,

His mirror (of heart) puts the cup of Jamshed to shame”.

                 Allama Iqbal was in constant touch with spiritual mentors of his time and also used to write letters to them for his guidance and rectification.