کلامِ اقبال مىں وحدتِ امت کا تصور: فکرى بنىادىں اور عصرى تقاضے

The Concept of the Unity of the Ummah in Iqbal’s Poetry: Intellectual Foundations and Contemporary Relevance

Abstract

This article critically examines the concept of unity in the poetic and intellectual thought of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, with particular reference to its philosophical foundations, Qur’anic background, and practical relevance for the Muslim Ummah. The study begins with the intellectual concerns identified by Shah Wali Allah in the eighteenth century, especially the weakening of the Muslim understanding of unity, which gradually led to political, theological, social, and spiritual fragmentation. Against this background, the article explores how Iqbal revived the idea of unity by linking it with the principle of Tawhid, the Qur’anic concept of Ummah, and the spiritual reconstruction of Muslim collective life. The article argues that, for Iqbal, unity is not merely a political slogan or emotional appeal; rather, it is rooted in the metaphysical truth of the oneness of God and must manifest itself in the moral, social, and political organization of the Muslim community. Iqbal strongly criticizes Western nationalism, territorialism, racial pride, and sectarian divisions because these forces weaken the universal brotherhood of Islam and destroy the collective identity of the Ummah. His concepts of Khudi, Millat, and Islamic solidarity are presented as essential instruments for the revival of Muslim dignity and collective consciousness. The study also highlights Iqbal’s emphasis on the Qur’an, Prophetic teachings, Hajj, Islamic brotherhood, and the centrality of the Ka‘bah as symbols and practical expressions of Muslim unity. It concludes that Iqbal’s message of unity remains highly relevant in the contemporary world, where the Muslim Ummah continues to suffer from internal divisions, ideological confusion, and political disunity. Therefore, a serious engagement with Iqbal’s thought can provide an effective intellectual and spiritual framework for the reconstruction of Muslim collective life.