Today marks the 147th birth anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the visionary poet-philosopher whose words still resonate with the soul of the nation. As celebrations unfold across the country, we take a moment to reflect on the monumental impact Iqbal has had, not just on Pakistan, but on the hearts and minds of people everywhere who dare to dream of a brighter future.
Born on November 9, 1877, in Sialkot, Iqbal’s intellectual journey began in his hometown and later took him to Lahore, Britain, and Germany. From his early education to his pursuit of higher studies in the West—where he earned a law degree in 1905 and a Ph.D. in philosophy—Iqbal was a man ahead of his time. He understood that true change comes not from the external, but from the mind and spirit, and it was through his poetry that he sparked an intellectual revolution.
It was after his return to India in 1910 that Iqbal began using his poetic voice as a clarion call for the political and intellectual awakening of Muslims in the subcontinent. He wasn’t just writing poems—he was igniting a movement. And while his verses stirred the hearts of many, it was his bold vision for a separate Muslim state that would lead to the creation of Pakistan, forever solidifying his place in history as the father of the nation’s ideological foundation.
Iqbal’s poetry was more than just words—it was a blueprint for a future. He looked to the youth, calling them “Shaheen” (eagles) and “Aqab” (falcons), urging them to rise above their circumstances, to soar to new heights, and to embrace the power within. And let’s be honest—when Iqbal calls you an eagle, it’s hard not to start looking for a few more heights to conquer!
Among his most celebrated works are Bang-e-Dra, Zaboor-e-Ajam, Bal-e-Jibril, Zarb-e-Kaleem, Javed Nama, and Payam-e-Mashriq, all of which remain a wellspring of inspiration. His poems, full of mysticism and profound ideas, serve as a reminder that while the world may change, the essence of human potential remains timeless.
Allama Iqbal passed away on April 21, 1938, in Lahore. He rests in eternal peace beside the majestic Badshahi Mosque, a place where history, poetry, and national pride all converge. Though he may no longer walk among us, his vision continues to guide us—making this a perfect day to remember not just the poet, but the eternal flame of his thought.
So, as we remember Iqbal today, let’s not just honor his legacy, but strive to live up to the aspirations he set forth. After all, if an eagle can soar, why not us?
