ENGLISH: The Doctrine of True Love with Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as Expounded by Allama Muhammad Iqbal

Abstract

Dr. Muhammad Iqbal was a remarkable poet-philosopher of the 20th century. Iqbal wrote both in Persian and Urdu and is often regarded as the poet of the East who addressed the Muslim ummah and propounded the philosophy of Khudi (Selfhood), which called for self-realization and the discovery of the hidden talent with love and perseverance. According to Iqbal, this Self of human being is strengthened by the true love and perfect following of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). As the holy Quran declares loudly and clearly : "Say: if you do love Allah, follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your sins". This article is about the essence of Dr. Iqbal's poetry, which is the love and devotion of Allah's beloved Messenger Muhammad (ﷺ). Just like Rumi, Dr. Iqbal had a similar pattern of love for the personality of the Prophet. He made Him to be the role-model in bringing the socio-political change within the Muslim society of his time. He says to the entire Muslim Ummah in the words of Almighty Allah:

If you are loyal to Muhammad (ﷺ), then We are yours

the world is naught: The Pen of Destiny shall be yours.