Rizwan Hussain

This article examines central themes in the intellectual legacy of the renowned Indian Muslim poet and thinker, Dr. Muhammad Iqbal. Iqbal aimed to revitalize Muslim identity and the broader Islamic world to effectively respond to Western hegemony, being deeply concerned by the ideological subjugation of the East in political, cultural, and social domains. Through his poetry, his political and economic ideas strive to rejuvenate a sense of self-confidence and innovation within the global Muslim community (Ummah). He urged Muslims to rediscover their distinct identity and sense of selfhood (Khudi) as a means to counter Western dominance. Iqbal's thought reflects a strong criticism of capitalism and colonial rule. As an alternative, he viewed certain principles of socialism favorably, particularly from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, though he unequivocally rejected its atheistic manifestations. Furthermore, Iqbal advocated for a fundamental reinterpretation (reconstruction) of Islamic thought to ensure its relevance in the modern era. Ultimately, his philosophy presents a synthesis of Islamic modernism, anti-imperialism, pan-Islamism, and a vision for a socially just society grounded in Islamic principles.

This paper discusses some key points in the philosophical, political and economic thought of the famous Indian Muslim poet Dr. Mohammad Iqbal. Iqbal sought to reform the Muslim identity and the wider Islamic world in order to deal with the Western challenge. He was deeply perturbed by the ideological domination of the East by the West in the political, cultural and social spheres. His political and economic perceptions, as indicated in his poems, seek to revive the self-confidence and creativity in the Muslim Ummah (Community). Iqbal exhorts the Muslims to realise their identity and selfhood (Khudi) to confront the Western challenge. Iqbal’s politico-economic thought is tinged with his dislike of capitalism and colonial rule. As an anti-dote to these elements, Iqbal speaks positively of socialism and its main proponents in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century although he rejects the atheistic form of socialism. Iqbal also purposes a reconstruction of Islamic thought in order to make it compatible with the demands of the modern world. All in all, Iqbal’s philosophy reveals an eclectic mixture of Islamic modernism, anti-imperialism, pan-Islamism and a desire for a socially equitable society within an Islamic framework.