Allama Iqbal’s Address at Allahabad

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Allama Iqbal, a poet and philosopher, discussed India’s problem knowledgeably and rationally. He discussed the Islamic philosophic character in moulding a personality in length and then gave the solution to the Hindu-Muslim problem in India. In his address, he discussed the role of Islam in India.

 

PREFACE

Allama Iqbal delivered his historical address on 29 December 1930. This address was in English. Later on, it was translated into Urdu by the editor of the daily Inqilab Ghulam Rasul Mehr in two publications in January 1931.

 

ALLAMA IQBAL ADDRESS

A vital extract of the address of Allama Iqbal is as follows.

1. ISLAM IS A COMPLETE CODE OF LIFE

While addressing, he said,

The faith of Islam is not just the name of a few beliefs and customs but a complete code of life. In Europe, religion is a personal matter of every person, whereas, in Islam, God and the universe, spirit and nature, and state and religious places are linked with each other, meaning all Muslims are our nation.

2. ISLAM IS A LIVE POWER

Declaring Islam as a live force, he said,

Islam is a life force that frees the mind of humans from the prison of the ideology of country and race. If we understand this, we can become the symbol of the prominent citizens of India.

3. ISLAM IS A WAY FOR SALVATION

According to Allama Iqbal, following Islamic teachings is the only way to succeed. He said;

The one lesson I have learned from History is that in times of difficulty. Islam has always saved the Muslims, but Muslims have never protected Islam. Even today, the Islamic idealogy can unite your dispersed powers and keep you from destruction.

4. REJECTION OF ONE NATION THEORY

In his address, Allama Iqbal made prominent the two-nation theory and rejected the idea of one nation and said,

India is a region of such human groups that belong to different races, speak other languages, and follow other faiths. Two big groups are Hindus and Muslims. They have nothing in common. These groups are like two nations and oppose the idea of a single nation.

5. NEED FOR A MUSLIM STATE

In the Allahabad Address, he stressed the Indian Muslims for the formation of a separate homeland and said,

India is the largest country of Muslims. If Islam has to exist over here as a civilized power, it must become centralized in a particular region.

6. DISAPPROVAL OF WESTERN DEMOCRACY

The poet of the East expressed disapproval of Western democracy:

The Western democratic system superficially seems bright but is very dark. In Western democracy, people are weighed rather than counted, whereas in a democratic system, people are not considered but counted.

7. DEMAND FOR A SEPARATE ISLAMIC STATE

He demanded a separate Islamic State for the Muslims of India by saying,

I wish Punjab, Baluchistan, and N.WFP would be joined as a state within or outside the British Empire. It is, therefore, necessary to form a Muslim State in the northwest, which is now the fate of Indian Muslims. I demand that we include a stable Muslim state in the interest of the sub-continent and Islam.

8. ISLAM IS THE REASON OF UNITY

Allama Iqbal thought that Islam was the source of Islamic unity. He said on the subject,

Islamic constitution is our immortal house in which we spend our lives. The relationship the Britishers have with England and the Germans have with Germany; we have the same relationship with Islam. So, the moment we lose our grip on the rope of God, our nation will scatter.

9. CONCEPT OF MUSLIM NATIONHOOD

Iqbal clarified that India is not a country but a sub-continent of people who speak different languages and practice other religions. The Muslim nation has its own religious and cultural identity.

10. REJECTION OF SEPARATE IDENTITY OF RELIGION AND WORLD

Iqbal rejected this notion of the separate identity of religion and the world. He strongly negated the Western idea that religion is one’s private affair and has nothing to do with temporal life. Islam does not believe in the duality of matter and soul.

 

REACTION OF THE HINDUS AND BRITISH

The Hindus and the British criticized a lot on Iqbal’s address. The Hindus declared it the dream of a madman or a poet, not that of a sensible man. They said this was an illegal solution and could not be practised in the sub-continent.

 

IMPORTANCE OF IQBAL’S ADDRESS

The address was a source of inspiration for the Muslims to understand their status and to make them further vigorous to get their demands fulfilled. Allama Iqbal’s Allahabad address presents him as the Dreamer Of Pakistan. His address proved to be a milestone in the History of the sub-continent and the creation of Pakistan.

 

FINAL NOTE

 Allama Iqbal discussed the problem of India knowledgeably and logically. He discussed the Islamic intelligent character in moulding a personality in length and then gave the solution to the Hindu-Muslim problem in India. He rejected the notion of the separate identity of religion and the world. He strongly negated the Western idea that religion is one’s private affair and has nothing to do with temporal life.

 

 

REFERENCES

  • Pakistan Studies by Waqar Ahmad Cheema

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