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Allama Muhammad Iqbal urged a unified Muslim Ummah to face modern challenges through spiritual revival, emphasizing Khudi and Ijtihad. He called for transcending divisions to collectively address struggles in Palestine and Kashmir, highlighting the importance of shared identity.
Examining Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s vision for a united Muslim world reveals its relevance to contemporary geopolitical issues. Iqbal, a philosopher-poet, shaped by Islamic thought and Western philosophical traditions, advocated for the spiritual and intellectual rejuvenation of the Muslim Ummah, encouraging Muslims to rise above ethnic, national, and sectarian differences. His philosophy, focused on the principles of Khudi (selfhood) and Ijtihad (reinterpretation), provides a framework for unity, empowerment, and advancement. This article analyzes Iqbal's writings, especially his poetry and prose, to illustrate how his vision confronts modern conflicts within Palestine, Kashmir, and other Muslim-majority areas, where disunity and external influences have rendered these nations susceptible to imperial legacies, subjugation, and exploitative practices.
Today's Muslim world faces numerous economic, social, and political difficulties that jeopardize its cohesiveness. The challenges faced by Palestinians in occupied areas, along with the persistent strife in Kashmir, Syria, Lebanon, and other Muslim-majority countries, are deeply entrenched in historical colonialism and exacerbated by contemporary geopolitical factors1. Despite these disputes, the ideas of Muhammad Iqbal, a prominent 20th-century poet and philosopher, continue to be a powerful source of inspiration and direction for the concept of Muslim unification2. His ideas, which were impacted by Western philosophy, and Islamic philosophy, and his criticism of colonialism, advocate for an integrated Muslim world that is equipped to confront these issues effectively3.
Iqbal's poetry and prose were infused with his philosophy, which highlighted the value of unity among people and the resurgence of Islamic thought. His call for Muslims to become more spiritually and intellectually awake is still relevant today when the Muslim world is often too divided to be able to work together to solve problems4.
In the context of Palestine, where Israeli occupation persists, Iqbal's vision posits that the wider Muslim community should not perceive this conflict as limited to a specific nation or ethnicity. The plight of Palestinians must be regarded as a collective issue for all Muslims, surpassing national borders.
Muslim Unity: A Call from Iqbal
Muhammad Iqbal's appeal for Muslim solidarity was grounded in his comprehension of the Qur'an and Islamic history. For Iqbal, the cohesion of the Muslim Ummah was not only a political requirement but also a spiritual and intellectual obligation5. Lessons from Allama Iqbal's works can be examined about the contemporary geopolitical difficulties confronting the Muslim world, specifically in Palestine, Kashmir, Syria, and Lebanon. These places, afflicted by persecution and violence, exemplify how external forces are undermining the worldwide Muslim community (Ummah), while the division of Muslim-majority nations has constrained their ability to provide a unified response. Reexamining Iqbal's teachings allows us to extract significant ideas on addressing these difficulties through unity and reembracing Islamic ideals.
The Ummah as a Universal Society
Iqbal's ideology of the Ummah as a universal society, founded on spiritual and moral cohesion, directly contests the prevailing political disunity among Muslim-majority nations and is deeply enrooted in his exclusive work "The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam"6. The Ummah or the Universal Islamic society is based on the principle of the oneness of God and aims at a spiritual democracy that transcends national boundaries.
In the context of Palestine, where Israeli occupation persists, Iqbal's vision posits that the wider Muslim community should not perceive this conflict as limited to a specific nation or ethnicity. The plight of Palestinians must be regarded as a collective issue for all Muslims, surpassing national borders.
In Kashmir, where India's occupation has resulted in human rights violations, Iqbal's appeal for a unified Muslim reaction is pertinent. The absence of unified diplomatic, political, or humanitarian initiatives by the wider Muslim community to address these concerns underscores the lack of the spiritual democracy envisioned by Iqbal. Muslim-majority nations, which frequently prioritize their national interests, have not united to provide substantial assistance to the oppressed in Palestine and Kashmir. Iqbal's instruction emphasizes the necessity of overcoming these divisions and embracing a cohesive position that embodies the collective values and obligations of the Ummah7.
Muslims United for the Protection of the Kaaba
ایک ہوں مسلم حرم کی پاسبانی کے لئے
نیل کے ساحل سے لے کر تا بخاکِ کاشغر
This verse from Bang-e-Dara8 addresses the solidarity of Muslims throughout extensive territories, signifying their interconnectedness irrespective of geographical location. Iqbal employs the metaphor of safeguarding the Kaaba to exemplify how the Muslim world should function as a unified entity in protecting its collective ideals, territory, and dignity9.
Currently, the Palestinian conflict epitomizes the broader challenges encountered by the Muslim world. Like the Kaaba serving as a unifying emblem for Muslims, the advocacy for Palestinian rights and sovereignty embodies a collective endeavor. Iqbal's message is unequivocal: Muslims from various regions, spanning from Africa (Nile) to Central Asia (Kashgar), ought to unite in solidarity. This principle applies to Kashmir, where the Muslim populace endures hardships under Indian control, as well as to Lebanon and Syria, where conflicts involving Israel perpetuate regional instability10.
Notwithstanding this appeal for cohesion, the reaction from the wider Muslim community has frequently been disjointed. Several Muslim-majority countries have established normalized ties with Israel, whereas others have placed their political or economic interests over the struggles of Palestinians, Kashmiris, and Syrians. Iqbal's poetry confronts this discord, imploring Muslims to unite in the defense of their fellow believers.
The Nation's Destiny and Personal Accountability
In Rumuz-i-Bekhudi11, Iqbal demonstrates that:
افراد کے ہاتھوں میں ہے اقوام کی تقدیر
ہر فرد ہے ملت کے مقدر کا ستارہ
This passage underscores that each member of the
Muslim community is accountable for the collective destiny of the Ummah. Iqbal's ideology of Khudi (selfhood) posits that individual empowerment and self-awareness must remain intertwined with the communal welfare of the Muslim community.
The subjugation experienced by Palestinians, Kashmiris, Syrians, and Lebanese is a significant issue for both governments and individual Muslims. Iqbal asserts that every Muslim must acknowledge their responsibility to promote justice, whether via political engagement, economic assistance, or increasing awareness. The shortcomings of the Ummah in confronting these difficulties are not solely institutional but also stem from individuals' failure to assume communal responsibility12.
Currently, numerous Muslim-majority countries exhibit apathy or detachment from the plight of their co-religionists due to national or political considerations. Iqbal's message emphasizes that Muslim unity and collective action commence at the individual level, where the awakening of Khudi can foster a wider movement for justice and solidarity throughout the Muslim world.
However, as recorded by Al-Monitor, the Middle East’s leading independent news source, KFC, and Pizza Hut's profits in the Middle East have been halved due to boycotts related to the Gaza conflict13. This shows the power of individuals against subjugation.
The Path of Unity Illustrated by Islam
منفعت ایک ہے اس قوم کی نقصان بھی ایک
ایک ہی سب کا نبی، دین بھی، ایمان بھی ایک
حرمِ پاک بھی، �لله بھی، قرآن بھی ایک
کچھ بڑی بات تھی ہوتے جو مسلمان بھی ایک
In Jawab-e-Shikwa14, Iqbal contemplates the solidarity of the Muslim community, emphasizing that
although they had shared spiritual and religious underpinnings—such as the Prophet, the Kaaba, and the Qur'an—they show a lack of political and social togetherness.
Iqbal's contemplation is highly relevant to current challenges confronting Muslim communities, particularly in areas such as Palestine, Kashmir, Syria, and Lebanon. Although the Muslim world possesses a cohesive religious identity, its political dispersion has impeded collective action against such oppression.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has endured for decades, resulting in considerable hardships for Palestinians. Although various Muslim nations have sometimes demonstrated support, a cohesive position from the entire Muslim world remains unattainable. The lack of coordinated effort has frequently impeded the effective resolution of the crisis.
Kashmir has been a contentious issue between India and Pakistan, resulting in numerous conflicts. The abrogation of Article 370 by India in 2019, which conferred special status to Kashmir, exacerbated the issue. Despite global apprehension, the Muslim world's reaction has been disjointed, devoid of a cohesive strategy to assist the Kashmiri populace.
Syria and Lebanon have seen substantial difficulties, including civil discord and foreign meddling. The decade-long civil conflict in Syria has resulted in significant suffering, with many Muslim-majority nations backing different sides, indicating a lack of cohesion. Lebanon has also contended with political instability and economic crises, with less unified help from other Muslim states.
Iqbal's poetry poignantly underscores the strength found in oneness. He expresses regret over the schisms within the Muslim community, positing that their common theological and spiritual ties ought to inherently foster collective action. The gap between this ideal and the existing political reality highlights the necessity for reflection and coordinated efforts to close divisions15.
To effectively confront the oppression of fellow Muslims in various regions, the Muslim Ummah must pursue a unified political and social strategy. This entails transcending sectarian and nationalistic distinctions to pursue communal welfare, as conceptualized by Iqbal. The Muslim world can only aspire to effectively advocate for the rights and dignity of persecuted communities and exercise genuine influence via such unity16.
Nationalism: The Veil of Religion
ان تازہ خداؤں میں بڑا سب سے وطن ہے
جو پیرہن اس کا ہے، وہ مذہب کا کفن ہے
Iqbal's critique of nationalism, in Zarb-e-Kaleem17, as a dividing element that subverts the universal message of Islam remains profoundly pertinent today. He
cautioned that the contemporary nation-state system would function as a "new deity," fragmenting Muslims and supplanting their spiritual cohesion with restricted national goals.
This critique is especially pertinent in the contexts of Palestine, Syria, and Kashmir. Numerous Muslim-majority nations have emphasized nationalistic objectives, frequently at the expense of the wider Muslim cause. Certain nations have established normalized relations with Israel for economic or political advantages, disregarding the persistent mistreatment of Palestinians. In Kashmir, adjacent Muslim-majority nations have failed to offer requisite backing owing to regional rivalries or geopolitical apprehensions.
Iqbal's message is a summon for Muslim nations to transcend nationalism and adhere to the collective principles of Islam. Muslims should transcend national borders and unite; based on shared religious and ethical ideals to combat oppression and injustice, irrespective of its location18.
The Role of Ijtihad in Addressing Modern Challenges
At the core of Iqbal's ideology was the belief of Ijtihad—the interpretation of Islamic law considering modern contexts. Iqbal attributed the decline of Muslim civilizations mostly to their inability to adapt Ijtihad as an agile and continuous process. He contended that Islamic law should not be static but should instead adapt to evolving social, political, and economic circumstances19.
In “The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam”, Iqbal contends that Muslims must restore the essence of Ijtihad to confront current issues. He writes: “The aim of the ego is not to see something, but to be something. True individuals and nations emerge from the experience of significant moments”20.
Iqbal's focus on Ijtihad provides a means for the Muslim world to address the intricacies of contemporary geopolitics, economic inequalities, and social injustices. By reinterpreting Islamic ideas by contemporary reality, Muslim-majority states may discover resolutions to their internal differences and foreign issues, promoting peace and collaboration instead of conflict.
Iqbal’s Vision in Modern Times
Allama Iqbal's aspiration for a united Muslim world remains pertinent today, just as it was in the early 20th century during his lifetime. His desire for Muslim unity, based on the tenets of Islamic brotherhood and a repudiation of divisive nationalism, provides a persuasive framework for tackling the substantial difficulties confronting the Muslim world today. The ongoing conflicts in Muslim-majority nations underscore the urgent necessity for a cohesive and unified response from the worldwide Muslim community.
Iqbal's philosophical concepts, notably Khudi (selfhood), Ijtihad (reinterpretation of Islamic law), and the universal Ummah (community), furnish the intellectual and spiritual resources essential for the Muslim world to overcome the fragmentation and disunity that persistently weaken its collective strength. His condemnation of nationalism is pertinent in today's world, as the Muslim Ummah is fragmented by national, ethnic, and sectarian divisions, rendering it susceptible to external exploitation and internal conflict.
In a time of unparalleled problems, including persistent geopolitical wars, the necessity for a cohesive Muslim response rooted in Iqbal’s vision is increasingly critical. His poetry and philosophy approach the contemporary divisiveness while presenting a framework for Muslims to establish a more unified and successful trajectory. By adopting the spiritual and intellectual renaissance that Iqbal championed, the Muslim world may restore its position as a catalyst for justice, peace, and advancement in the international arena.
Recommendations
To realize Iqbal's goal of Muslim unity and address the global Muslim community's many issues, various tangible steps must be taken:
Muslims in the majority of countries should try to revive Iqbal's vision of a single Muslim community, the Ummah. This requires moving past nationalist and sectarian conflicts, which have historically hampered Muslim power.
Islamic brotherhood must be prioritized over national objectives. A larger, more united Muslim coalition could better address regional and global issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Muslim-majority nations should prioritize coordinated approaches on international issues, particularly those affecting Muslim populations, such as Palestine, Kashmir, Yemen, and Syria. Muslim states could improve their capacity to influence global policies by leveraging integrated diplomatic efforts, mutual strategic interests, and multilateral organizations such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). This would focus attention on issues such as international law breaches and human rights violations.
Muslim scholars and intellectuals should promote Ijtihad in modern situations. A dynamic and changing approach to Islamic law and ethics will help Muslim societies adjust to global changes while maintaining their ideals.
Iqbal thought that Muslims' intellectual and spiritual awakening was crucial for collective growth. Muslim-majority countries should change their education systems to promote critical thinking, philosophical investigation, and Islamic thought as well as technical competence. Islamic universities and institutes should emphasize Ijtihad and Khudi's role in empowering individuals and creating Ummah responsibility. This intellectual progress is essential for preparing future leaders who can navigate modernity while upholding Islamic values.
The author holds a PhD in Islamic Thought from the Department of Islamic Thought and Culture at the National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad. He is also the anchor/host at Suno TV Channel, Islamabad, and the author of seven books and sixty-three international research publications. Additionally, he is the recipient of the Best Researcher and Presentation Award from Antalya, Turkey, in 2021.
E-mail: [email protected]
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