از جام جم تا زنده رود - واکاوی تأثیرپذیری اقبال لاهوری از میراث ادبی و تمدنی ایران

From Jam-e Jam to Zayandeh Rud: An Exploration of Allama Iqbal’s Intellectual Influence from the Literary and Civilizational Heritage of Iran

Abstract

This article examines the profound influence of Persian literary traditions on the works of Allama Muhammad Iqbal Lahori, the renowned poet, philosopher, and thinker of the Indian subcontinent. While Iqbal is celebrated for his mastery of the Persian language, this study goes beyond linguistic appreciation to explore how Persian literary heritage—encompassing mysticism, philosophy, ethics, and cultural motifs—shaped his intellectual and poetic vision. Through an analysis of Iqbal’s Persian and Urdu poetry, particularly his Diwan-e-Farsi and selected Urdu verses, the article highlights his deep engagement with Iran’s intellectual legacy. Key themes include:

Cultural and Literary Affinities: Iqbal’s incur-poration of Persian poetic forms, Sufi thought (e.g., Rumi, Hafez), and reverence for the Ahl al-Bayt (AS). Philosophical Syncretism: His fusion of Persian wisdom (e.g., Sohrewardi’s Illuminationism) with Islamic and modern philosophical discourse. Symbolism of Iran: The pervasive use of Persian historical, geographical, and cultural symbols (e.g., Jamshid’s cup, the Zayandeh River) as metaphors for spiritual and intellectual ideals. Innovation within Tradition: How Iqbal balanced classical Persian aesthetics with contemporary socio-political themes, reflecting his belief in the dialectical harmony of tradition and modernity. The article also investigates why Iqbal, despite exposure to diverse civilizations, uniquely embraced Persian culture and language as his primary medium for expressing revolutionary ideas. It critiques his prose works (The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam, The Development of Metaphysics in Persia) and poetic collections (Javed Nama, Zabur-e-Ajam), revealing his deliberate homage to Persian masters. Ultimately, the study demonstrates that Iqbal’s declaration of being "immersed in the essence of Iranian life" (ghoota-ha zad dar zamir-e zendegi) was not mere rhetoric but a testament to his scholarly immersion in Iran’s civilizational ethos. His works serve as a bridge between Persian heritage and universal Islamic revival, affirming the enduring relevance of Persian literary traditions in contemporary thought.