Biography of Allama Iqbal – Poet of the East and Visionary of Pakistan
Nations are born in the hearts of poets; they prosper and die in the hands of politicians.
Early Life & Education
Allama Muhammad Iqbal (1877–1938 CE) was a celebrated poet, philosopher, visionary, and political thinker who played a foundational role in reviving Muslim consciousness during British rule in India. Widely regarded as the “Poet of the East”, his deep and thought-provoking poetry in Urdu and Persian inspired a spiritual and political awakening across the Muslim world.
Born in Sialkot (now in Pakistan), Iqbal was classically trained in Arabic and Persian, later earning degrees in philosophy from Government College Lahore, Cambridge, and Munich. His famous works like Asrar-e-Khudi, Bang-e-Dra, and Payam-e-Mashriq laid the foundation for his concept of “Khudi”—selfhood or divine potential within the human soul. He believed in empowering Muslims through education, spirituality, and identity rooted in Islamic values.
Born in Mecca and raised in Calcutta, Maulana Azad received traditional Islamic education in Qur’an, Hadith, Arabic, and philosophy, but soon ventured into political journalism. His Urdu weekly Al-Hilal became a mouthpiece of revolutionary thought and anti-colonial resistance, challenging both British rule and religious sectarianism.
Allama Iqbal’s Legacy: Islamic Revival & The Dream of Pakistan
Allama Iqbal was not just a poet, but a philosopher of Islamic revival and a political visionary. Through his writings and speeches, he advocated for a separate Muslim identity in India, which eventually evolved into the Two-Nation Theory—the ideological seed for the creation of Pakistan. Though he passed away before Pakistan became a reality, he is hailed as the ideological father of the nation.
Iqbal’s teachings encouraged Muslims to reconnect with their roots, combine modern learning with Islamic ethics, and strive for self-reliance and justice. His intellectual legacy lives on in schools, universities, and policies, and he remains an enduring voice for youth empowerment, reform, and unity in the Muslim world. Read more at Iqbal Academy Pakistan – Life & Works
Quick Facts:
- Full Name: Muhammad Iqbal
- Born: 1877 CE, Sialkot (British India)
- Died: 1938 CE, Lahore
- Known For: Urdu/Persian poetry, Islamic philosophy, political ideology
- Major Works: Bang-e-Dra, Asrar-e-Khudi, Payam-e-Mashriq, Zarb-e-Kalim
- Legacy: National poet of Pakistan, philosopher of Muslim identity and revival