Sir Allama Mohamed Iqbal was one of the finest Muslim thinkers of modem times. His range of understanding of the working of human mind and its chemistry was so wide, that even trying to become acquainted with the comprehensiveness of Allama’s thought and ideas, is a daunting one, though an exiting experience. He is undoubtedly a great poet, but it is not fair to restrict him within the boundaries of mere flowery words. He was a philosopher, visionary, statesman and a historian.

More than its comprehension, which embraced all states of man’s existence, Iqbal also possessed a rare quality and power to communicate, himself. He was supremely articulate in three great languages, Persian, Urdu and English. But Allama defies translation, however close it may be. His poetry is intricately woven with philosophy, religion, history, civilization, moral values and modem day complexities.

Iqbal, a Kashmiri by descent, whose ancestors settled in Sialkot in Punjab, was born on November 9, 1877, and left this mortal world on April 21, 1938. His demise occurred two years before the adoption of the historic Lahore Resolution, ‘The Magna Carta’ of Muslim freedom in the sub-continent, which was Allama’s great vision and dream, that became a reality in the birth of Pakistan in 1947.

At a very early age Iqbal showed a remarkable leaning towards philosophy, that had caught the attention of his teacher, Sir Arnold who took him to Cambridge University for higher education. Later he went on to Munich University in Germany from where he earned a PhD for his work on metaphysics entitled ‘Asrar - e - Khudi [Secrets of the Self].

Iqbal’s Khudi which is a Persian word means more than just Self. It is "ego, soul, mind and one that is spiritual than material. Iqbal dwelled deep into this unseen world and expounded its fullest mode of working in human mind. Once he remarked "with me, the soul [Khudi and not the body, is the reality; and as such I wrote poetry to the inner consciousness of men and not to their outward senses." This concept of Khudi encompasses all of moral and spiritual values, will-power, ethical code and much more. He further advocated that "it is not always true that the sense impressions correspond exactly to the external reality."

His poetic gift has been of such high order, that his place in literature is certainly amongst the greats of the world. He holds the same place in the line of the world’s greatest poets as has been held by Homer, Jalaluddin Rumi, Dante, Shakespeare, Milton and Goethe. The poetry of Iqbal is a contribution to the human thought and an embodiment of a definite mission that is noble and invigorating. He describes the past, contrasts it with the present, and casts a glance towards the future. Seldom does he express despondency in life and its adversities. He sets a way out and to him, the life is synonymous with persistent and vigorous action.

For Iqbal consistent struggle is the way of life. It may even your own destiny.

Here Iqbal points out that you are the master of your own destiny, by lifting your own self to a higher station. Pre-destiny is not always the way of life. Perseverance, struggle, and discipline of the highest order are necessary, to change it. Once again Iqbal says:

Once again Iqbal stresses on Khudi. In the same vein he says:

Iqbal while in Europe, made a deep study of the Western Civilization, and found that it was deeply engrossed in materialism. Materialism dominated the life style of Westerners. He realized this would lead to destruction of the West rather than enhancing its prosperity.

Can never endure."

This was Iqbal’s dire warning to the West not to lean on materialism abandoning spiritualism. The Western culture will commit suicide with its own dagger.

Iqbal at the same time was a true nationalist. The popular anthem he wrote glorifying his country [undivided Sub-Continent] is in every Indian’s mouth.

"Sare jahan se achcha Hinsdustan hamara"

Iqbal’s mystic poem on "Wisdom and Heart" distinguishes Love [Ishq] from Intellect. Ishq is spiritual that emanates from heart, intellect is from mind.

"From you [Aqal] comes knowledge ; from me [Ishq] ecstacy

You search for God ; I show the way

You are attached to time and space

I am that bird that ascends Sidrat-ul-Muntaha [tree in heaven]

Apart from thought provoking and fascinating poems Allama Iqbal had produced several dissertations, on weighty and burning problems facing mankind, particularly regarding Muslims. Bang -e -dara (The Call of the Marching Bell), Tarana -e- Hind (Song of India), Tarana -e- Milli (Anthem of (Muslim) Community), Zarbe Kaleem (The Voice of liberated Muslims) and Javed Nama (Book of Eternity) contains many of his poems in Urdu and Persian.

Yet to think of Iqbal only as a great poet-philosopher, which he undoubtedly was, would be denying him, his proper place in history. He was a awakener of humanity. His message is universal and to the entire humanity. His rank among the immortals of history is unquestionable.

As a Kashmiri, Iqbal loved his homeland. He claims Kashmir as a legacy, the Paradise from Adam. Iqbal’s fight for freedom of Kashmir from the Dogra kings, was as old as from 1931, when Kashmir Committee was formed and Iqbal was elected the president.