November 9th2010 is a national holiday in Pakistan on account of Allama Iqbal’s birth on November 9th 1877 and the day is celebrated as Iqbal day. Although the day is celebrated on official level but the ideas of Iqbal on contrary are not applied in Pakistan. The name of Iqbal is there in the hearts of people but his message and call is forgotten.
Iqbal was totally against the concept of boundaries and limited nationalism, including patriotism. In one of his poetry “Watniyat” (patriotism) he expressed his views as:
“in taza khudaoon me bara sab se watan hey jo parehan is ka hey wo mazhab ka kafan hey..”
Translation:
“Among today’s fresh gods the greatest is patriotism, the consequence of which is the covering of dead religion.”
Similarly on the topic of democracy, he was not the fan of democracy perhaps he criticized democracy as:
“jamhooriat ik tarz e hukomat hey ke jis me….
bandoo ko gina kerte hey tola nahi kerte…..
(Iqbal)”
Translation:
“Democracy is a way of ruling where people are being counted not weighted”
Iqbal has a more clear and global view. He was more close to Political Islam and global perspective of world. He addressed Muslims saying:
“sabaq phir parh sadaqat ka adalat ka shujaat ka
lya jai ga tujh se kaaam dunya ki imamat ka”
Translation: “Learn that lesson of truth, bravery and justice; you will be taken to the task of leading the whole world.”
He was clear in his thoughts, and had delivered a revolutionary stuff for the Muslims. His message and services should not be misunderstood for the cause of Islam.
