Allama Iqbal,a great National poet,Philosopher and politician born in Sialkot on November 9,1877. A man whose great vision and divinely insight lead to the creation of Pakistan. His ancestors were Kashmiri Brahmins, who had embraced Islam 300 years earlier.

                               He received his early education in traditional manner and later he joined Sialkot Mission School from where he passed his matriculation. In 1897 he did bachelors from Government College, Lahore. And after two years he completed his masters and started his career as a lecturer in the Oriental College, Lahore. In 1903 his first book “The Science of Economics” was published and in 1905 he published his famous patriotic song , Tarana-e-Hind. For higher studies Iqbal travelled to Europe and obtained a bachelors degree from Trinity School, Cambridge in 1907. Simultaneously he was studying law at Lincoln’s Inn, from where he qualified as a barrister in 1908.
                              After returning from Europe he started his law practice. At that time his personal life was in turmoil. He divorced Karim Bibi in 1916 but managed to provide her financial support throughout his life. Along with practicing law he also continued to publish literary work and poetry. In 1911 he resigned from government service and decided to fully concentrate over spiritual and religious subjects. Though he was greatly influenced by Western philosophers like Friedrich, Nietzsche, Henri Bergson and Goethe, but he always strongly criticize Western thought about separation of religion and society. He was also greatly influenced by philosophical thoughts and poetry of Maulana Rumi and embrace Rumi as his “guide.

          Iqbal was also an active Muslim political leader of  India. He supported Indian involvement in First World War and Khilafat Movement and had close relations with prominent Muslim leaders. He always criticize Indian National Congress as it was dominated by Hindus. He denounced the secterian and political cleavages among Muslims and always emphasized upon the need of united and collective approach in terms of “Ummah”. Iqbal was considered the only influential force that convinced Jinnah about his Two-Nation theory. Before having relations with Iqbal, Jinnah was a strong proponent of Hindi-Muslim unity but Iqbal completely changed his thoughts and forced him to end his self-imposed exile in London, return to India to change the course of history. Iqbal believed that Jinnah was the only man who can preserve Muslim unity and fulfill the objectives of Muslim League in a real sense. Being a great Muslim scholar and philosopher Iqbal delivered lectures at Hyderabad, Aligarh and Madras. The series of his historical lectures was published as a book “The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam”. In 1930, in his historical Allahabad Address he put forward his Two Nation theory which laid the basis for the creation of separate homeland for the Muslims of India. In 1932, he also attended the Third Round Table Conference as a Muslim delegate. Despite opposite viewpoints on various issues with Jinnah, Iqbal always encouraged Muslim masses to fully support Jinnah. While talking about the future of  Indian Muslims, Iqbal said:

 

“Now none but Jinnah is capable of leading the Muslims.”

 

He worked closely with Jinnah for the cause of a separate homeland. Due to his divinely insight and remarkable poetic work he was called “Mufakkir-e-Pakistan”, Shayer-e-Mashriq and Hakeem-ul-Ummat. His best known poetic works include Asrar-e-Khudi, Rumuz-e-Bekhudi and Bang-e-Dara. He is officially recognized as national poet of Pakistan. His birth anniversary is celebrated as Iqbal Day, which is a national holiday in Pakistan. This great poet and philosopher died on April 21,1938 in Lahore. His tomb is situated between the entrance of Badshahi Mosque and Lahore Fort and official gaurds are maintained there by the Government of Pakistan.

 

 

 

Khuda Se Husn Ne Ik Roz Ye Sawal Kiya
Jahan Mein Kiyun Na Mujhe Tou Ne La-Zawaal Kiya

Mila Jawab K Tasveer-e-Khana Hai Dunya
Shaab-e-darze Aadam Ka Fasana Hai dunya

Huwi Hai Raag-e-Tagaiyur Se Namudaar Is Ki
Wohi Haseen Hai,Haqiqat Zawaal Hai Jis Ki

Kahin Qareeb Tha,Ye Guftagu Qamar Ne Suni
Falak Pe Aam huwi, Akhtar-e-sehar Ne Suni

Sehar Ne Tare Se Sun Kar Sunai Shabnam Ko
Falak Ki Baat Bata Di Zameen K Mehram ko

Bhar Aye Phool K Ansoo Payam-e-Shabnam Se
Kali Ka Nana Sa Dil Khoon Ho Gaya Ghum Se

Chaman Se Routa Huwa Mausam-e-Bahar Gaya
Shabab Sair Ko Aya Tha, Soogawar Gaya..!!