Who was Muhammad Iqbal? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Sir Muhammad Iqbal

Died At Age: 60

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Karim Bibi, Mukhtar Begum, Sardar Begum

father: Shaikh Noor Mohammad

mother: Imam Bibi

children: Aftab Iqbal, Javid Iqbal, Miraj Begum

Born Country: Pakistan

Poets Pakistani Men

Died on: April 21, 1938

place of death: Lahore, Pakistan

Grouping of People: Muslims

Notable Alumni: Government College University, Lahore, Inns Of Court School Of Law, Oriental College, Murray College

City: Sialkot, Pakistan

More Facts

education: Trinity College, Cambridge, Government College University, Lahore, Heidelberg University, Inns Of Court School Of Law, Oriental College, Murray College

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1

What is the significance of Muhammad Iqbal in the history of Pakistan?

Muhammad Iqbal is considered the spiritual father of Pakistan for his role in inspiring the creation of a separate nation for Muslims in the Indian subcontinent.
2

What are some key themes in Muhammad Iqbal's poetry?

Some key themes in Muhammad Iqbal's poetry include self-discovery, spiritual awakening, the revival of Islamic culture, and the concept of the self as a source of spiritual power.
3

How did Muhammad Iqbal contribute to the intellectual and philosophical development of Muslims in South Asia?

Muhammad Iqbal's philosophical works, especially his concept of "Khudi" or selfhood, inspired Muslims in South Asia to strive for self-realization, empowerment, and a revival of Islamic thought.
4

What was Muhammad Iqbal's vision for the future of Muslims in the Indian subcontinent?

Muhammad Iqbal envisioned a separate homeland for Muslims where they could practice their religion freely and develop their cultural identity while living in harmony with other communities.
5

How did Muhammad Iqbal's ideas influence the political movement for Pakistan's independence?

Muhammad Iqbal's ideas about Muslim identity and the need for a separate nation for Muslims in the Indian subcontinent laid the intellectual foundation for the Pakistan Movement, which ultimately led to the creation of Pakistan in 1947.

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Childhood & Early Life

Muhammad Iqbal was born in Sialkot, in the Punjab Province of British India to Sheikh Noor Muhammad and Imam Bibi. His father was not an educated man and worked as a tailor while his mother was a homemaker.

At the age of 4 Iqbal was introduced to religious studies and was sent to mosque to learn Qur’an. He learnt Arabic language at Scotch Mission College in Sialkot and pursued his intermediate from the Faculty of Arts, Murray College.

In 1895, Iqbal enrolled in Government College Lahore for his bachelors’, to study philosophy, English literature and Arabic. He also received his Masters of Arts degree from the same college and secured number one position in Punjab University, Lahore.

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Career

Iqbal finished his Masters of Arts Degree and started his academic career as a reader of Arabic at Oriental College but within a short period of time, he became a junior professor of philosophy at Government College Lahore.

Iqbal opted for higher studies in the West and travelled to England to study on a scholarship from Trinity College, Cambridge, and received his Bachelors of Arts degree from the same in 1906.

In 1907, he went to Germany to pursue doctorate and earned PhD degree from the Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich. During the process, he got his doctoral thesis ‘The Development of Metaphysics in Persia’ published.

He returned to India and became an assistant professor at Government College, Lahore but the job did not provide enough financial support which is why he decided to turn to practice of law. He practiced as a lawyer from 1908 to 1934.

In 1919, he became the general secretary of Anjuman-e-Himayat-e-Islam, an Islamic intellectual and political organization based in Lahore, Pakistan, which he was an active member of many years before gaining this position.

In 1927, Iqbal was elected to the Punjab Legislative assembly and was later elected to preside over the session of the Muslim League. It was in these positions that he for the first time introduced the idea of ‘Pakistan’.

Due to his failing health, Iqbal stopped practicing law altogether in 1934 and was honored with a pension by the Nawab of Bhopal. He dedicated his life to his own spiritual upliftment and contributing to the Persian and Urdu literature.

Some of the books written by Iqbal are: ‘Payam-i-Mashriq (1923)’, ‘The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam (1930)’, ‘Javid Nama (1932)’, ‘Pas Cheh Bayed Kard ai Aqwam-e-Sharq (1936)’, ‘Bal-i-Jibril (1935)’, ‘Zarb-i-Kalim (1936)’, etc.

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Major Works

Iqbal was known for his legal expertise and political ideologies, but it was as a poet that he is still fondly remembered. With books like, ‘Rumuz-i-Bekhudi’, ‘Zabur-i-Ajam’, etc. his contribution to Urdu literature is immense.

Personal Life & Legacy

Iqbal married three times in his life: his first marriage (1895) was with Karim Bibi and he had two children with her - Miraj Begum and Aftab Iqbal. His second marriage was with Sardar Begum and third with Mukhtar Begum (1914).

He died in 1938 in Lahore after suffering for many years from various illnesses, which started with a mysterious throat illness that he developed on his trip to Spain and Afghanistan. His tomb was erected in Hazuri Bagh, Pakistan.

Facts About Muhammad Iqbal

Muhammad Iqbal was not only a renowned poet and philosopher, but he also had a deep interest in Western philosophy and literature, which influenced his own works.

Despite his intellectual pursuits, Iqbal had a strong love for nature and often found inspiration in the beauty of the natural world, which is reflected in his poetry.

Iqbal was known for his progressive and forward-thinking ideas, advocating for the empowerment of the Muslim community and encouraging self-discovery and self-improvement.

In addition to his literary contributions, Iqbal was also a respected academic and lawyer, balancing multiple roles and responsibilities throughout his life.

Iqbal's legacy extends beyond his poetry, as he played a key role in the political and intellectual movements of his time, leaving a lasting impact on the cultural landscape of South Asia.

Muhammad Iqbal Biography

You wanted to know

What is the significance of Muhammad Iqbal in the history of Pakistan?

What are some key themes in Muhammad Iqbal's poetry?

How did Muhammad Iqbal contribute to the intellectual and philosophical development of Muslims in South Asia?

What was Muhammad Iqbal's vision for the future of Muslims in the Indian subcontinent?

How did Muhammad Iqbal's ideas influence the political movement for Pakistan's independence?