Transformation of Iqbal's Thoughts From western Nationalist to Pan-Islamic Philosopher

Abstract

Dr Muhammad Iqbal’s Philosophical approach revolves around psychology, ethics, politics and religion. During his young age nationalism attracted most of the Iqbal’s attention among other modern concepts and ideologies. In his poetry, speeches and letters he often expressed his opinion about the non-territorial based nationalism, as some of the poems in Bang-i-Dara show him an Indian Nationalist, while his later poems particularly after the European invasion into the Muslim Worldand the Nationalist Movements in the Middle East have a very striking Pan-Islamic touch. His approach on this particular subject matter was completely different from his contemporaries like Abul Kalam Azad and Hussain Ahmad Madni. According to the initial thinking of Iqbal, he was of the view that Islam is a strong binding force which binds all the Muslims living in different parts of the world regardless of geographical and territorial separation. When Iqbal in his famous presidential address of 1930 demanded a separate territorial homeland for the Muslims of India, it gave the critics a chance to spread misunderstanding about his transformation from an ardent nationalist of Western type to a universalist of the Islamic pattern. In order to grasp the transformation of Iqbal’s thoughts, a brief account of historical circumstances and his stay in Europe 1905-1908 is very important. During this time Iqbal eye witnessed the international turmoil in world politics when European Powers had been involved in intensive rivalry to fulfill their nationalistic ambitions.