Role of Allama Iqbal in the Creation of Pakistan
Role of Allama Iqbal in the Creation of Pakistan
Prelude
Allama Muhammad Iqbal was born on 9th November 1877 in Sialkot.
After seeking early education, he was admitted to the Government College,
Lahore, where he obtained the degree of MA in the subject of philosophy. He
left for England for higher studies in 1905. He obtained the degree of
philosophy of ethics and in 1907, he obtained the degree of doctorate (Ph.D.)
from Munich University.
Service of Iqbal in
Pakistan Movement
Iqbal's Idea About
Nationhood
Allama Iqbal is the greatest philosopher and poet of the present
era. Along with this, he possessed a view about political affairs. He awakened
the feeling of Muslim nationhood among the Muslims of India through his poetry.
and told them about the propaganda of West about the Muslim nationhood.
When the Hindu philosophers presented this philosophy that a
nation is born throughout the country and when Maulana Hussein Ahmed Madni
seconded it, then Iqbal reacted strongly towards it. His thinking and poetry
reflect the Two Nation Theory and his poetry awakened the feeling of Islamic
nationality among the Muslims of India. This feeling was a milestone in the
creation of Pakistan.
Iqbal's Political Life
Allama Iqbal made his debut in politics then he was elected as the
member of Punjab's Legislative Assembly in 1926. During the elections of 1937,
when Quaid-e-Azam started re constructioning of the Muslim League, Allama Iqbal
was along with him. He always supported Quaid-e-Azam and the Muslim League. He
always respected Quaid-e-Azam's point of view.
Iqbal and Two-Nation
Theory
Allama Iqbal firmly believed that the Muslims of India have a
separate identity and to protect this identity, the establishment of a separate
homeland for the Muslims of India was necessary. On 28th March, 1909, he
excusing the invitation from the secular party "Minsva Lodge" said:
"I have been a keen
supporter of this theory that religious differences in this country should end
and even now I practise this principle. But, now I think that separate national
identity for the Muslims and the Hindus is necessary for their survival."
At his Presidential address in 1930, on the occasion of the annual
session of Muslim League at Allahbad, Iqbal said:
"India is a
continent of human groups belonging to different races, speaking different
languages and professing different religions. There behaviour is not at all
determined by a common race conciousness. I therefore, demand the formation of
a consolidated Muslim state in the best interest of India and Islam."
Pakistan's Sketch
Allama Iqbal's Presidential Address at Allahbad in 1930 determined
the political path of the Muslims of sub-continent. In his address, he in clear
words said:
"I would like to
see the Punjab, North-West Frontier Provice, Sindh and Balochistan be
amalgamated into a single state."
He further stated that:
"The formation of a
consolidated North-West Indian Muslim State appeares to be the final destiny of
the Muslims, at least of North-West India."
Thus, Iqbal demanded a sovereign independent Muslim state even
before the Muslim League demanded it in Pakistan's Resolution.
Ideology of Pakistan and
Iqbal
Iqbal was strictly against nationalism. He considered all the
Muslims to be a part of One Umma. For him, a Muslim whether he belonged to any
part of the world was the part of brotherly relation. He considered nationalism
to be a coffin for the Muslim Umma.
Thus, opposing the limitation and disadvantages of nationalism,
Iqbal gave the philosophy of a "Millat-e-Islamia" and this philosophy
is the basis of Pakistan Ideology.
Conclusion
In short, the
personality of Allama Iqbal has left indelible marks in history. He tried to
awaken the Muslims of India through his philosophy, poetry and politics and he
brought the ideas of independence among the Muslims of India. Iqbal died on
21st April, 1938. He was buried in front of the "Badshahi Mosque" in
"Huzori Bagh."