1. RUBA’IYAT
Allama Iqbal was a great thinker, philosopher and eminent poet of Sub-continent. His poetry is
the magnificent and melodious blend of mysticism and self-reliance. Allama Iqbal used poetry as
a platform to preach gospel that most people already believed in, yet none had the courage to
stand up for. Like a weapon, saved for the time of need, yet never actually taken out, for the fear
of hurting one’s own self. He used his poetry mainly to stir the slumbering oblivious masses of
Muslim world through thought provoking and deep rooted philosophy of life and religion. In
other words, he used poetry as a weapon of words to evoke the spirit of self-reliance and firm
faith in the Muslims of Sub-continent. He also wanted them to keep up their own trends and
tradition. After loss of freedom, it was his earnest desire that the Muslims must regain their glory
and gravity as a nation.
Iqbal’s poetry did, in fact, arouse a whole nation.
Stanza 1.
Faith is like Abraham at the stake to be
Self-honouring and God-drunk is faith. Hear me,
You whom this age’s way so captivate!
To have no faith is worse than slavery.
Reference: These verses are taken from the poem Rubaiyat, which has been written by Allama
Muhammad Iqbal.
Context: In this short and thought provoking poem, Allama Iqbal has criticized and condemned
the moral hollowness and materialistic attitude of the modern society. He laments over the loss
of faith, which in fact maps out the direction of human soul. He is of the opinion that in this
modern age of materialism and fascination, faith strong like that of Hazrat Abraham (A.S) is
needed. He also emphasizes that Muslim harmony depends upon true faith in Islam. The
Europeans lack faith and spirituality that is why there is no harmony and fraternity among them.
Muslims have become mad in pursuit of foreign (Western) music and materialism, and have lost
their identity and dignity as a nation.
Explanation: In this stanza, Iqbal has illustrated the power or force of faith by narrating the
example of Hazrat Abraham (A.S), Who was thrown into fire by His enemies, however, by dint
of his firm and unflinching faith, the fire was miraculously turned into a garden. It is only
because of His love for religion and steadfastness. He (A.S) was God fearing and God loving,
that’s why Allah blessed him and saved him from sufferings. It is owing to the hallmark of his
unflinching faith in religion that he was unmoved by the treats of His enemies. Later Iqbal
addresses the whole Muslim Nation and says that they have become a victim of the materialistic
European or Western civilization and captivated by the its glamour. He also holds the view that
faithless person is the prisoner of foreign trends and tradition, and faithlessness is worse than
slavery. Faith is very basic to the foundations of Islam. Iqbal wanted the Muslims to regain their
lost prestige and vigour. He said on another occasion:-
O’ Slumbering Muslim, arouse, you be dynamic too
Lo! The Horizon is aglow, you spur into action.
Faith and freedom are part and parcel with each other. Freedom is not descended upon a
nation; a nation must raise itself to it.
In this stanza, Iqbal regrets that the Muslims of his time, have become a slave to modern
materialistic world and have lost their faith in the healing power of Islam.
Muhammad Azam, Lecturer, F. G. Science Degree College, Wah Cantt. Cell # 03335418018

2. Stanza 2.
Music of strange lands with Islam’s fire blends,
On which the nation’s harmony depends;
Empty concord is the soul of Europe,
Whose civilization to no Mecca bends.
Explanation: In theses verses, Iqbal presents his analysis that the European /Western Culture
and civilization lack harmony, fraternity and good-will. They are materialistic and are fighting
with one another for baseless things. Religious guideless have no appeal for them. Here Iqbal
also criticizes the Muslims for bring captivated and allured by the modern cult of music and
glamour of European civilization. He holds the view that Islam is torch-bearer in the blind alleys
of European world of ignorance and materialism. Islam is the only religion which brings
harmony, uncountable blessings and fraternity in the human society. The soul of Europeans lacks
humanity, harmony and vigour; it has no light to guide or bless Western people. They have no
model like Islam to follow and their civilization stands alienated and divided. Their civilization
has no dignity and direction to lead its followers. However, the Muslims have a great center i.e
Mecca which keeps all the Muslims united through out the world. They gather there with one
aim, raise praise to Allah in one language (Arabic) and in one uniform (Ah’ram). About faith and
believers Holy Prophet (PBUH) said, “A believer to another believer is like a building whose
different parts enforce each other”. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) then clasped his hands
with the fingers interlaced (while saying that). This greatness is not found in European
Civilization.
Stanza 3.
Love’s madness has departed: in
The Muslim’s veins the blood runs thin;
Ranks broken, hearts perplexed, prayers cold,
No feeling deeper than the skin.
Explanation: Here is this stanza, the poet narrates in a pensive mood that the Muslims have lost
fraternity and love for Religion (Islam). Their blood has become thin .i.e. they have become
weak and their faith is frail. They lack unity, discipline and dignity. They are leading astray by
following the modern materialistic European civilization, that’s why they do not tolerate one
another, their ranks are broken i.e. their fortification is frail. They lost the glory, which was
achieved by their ancestors. They are away from religion; consequently their hearts are depressed
and dejected. Moreover, their supplications are not effective and are unsanctioned.