'''FAQR-E-IQBAL''' (فقرِ اقبال)
is an Urdu book written by the contemporary Sufi author Sultan Mohammad
Najib-ur-Rehman, published in 2014. It is a detailed study upon the poetry,
teachings and life of Sir Muhammad Iqbal (9 November 1877 – 21 April 1938) in
the religious and as well as spiritual/Tasawwuf perspective. Faqr
(فقر)(literally means poverty) is a term widely used in Iqbal’s poetry as well
as in the works of famous saints referring to the ‘way which removes all the
veils between man and God’. Hence, Faqr-e-Iqbal means the path adopted by Iqbal
to reach God.
Iqbal is best known as a classical poet by international scholars of in
Pakistan, India, Iran and other countries. He was given the status of the list
of national poets. He was also a politician having inspired the Pakistan
Movement and articulated the Two-nation theory as well as a philosopher who was
a Muslim thinker of modern times. However, the spiritual way chosen by Iqbal was
what actually made Iqbal who he is i.e. Faqr.
For the first time, Iqbal’s poetry is being explained in the light of Quran and
Hadith as well as spirituality and mysticism. Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman
has compiled both Persian and Urdu poetry of Iqbal and has explained the inner
meaning categorically. By translating and explaining in such a manner, he has
added life and meaning to Iqbal’s work. The work serves well for those
influenced by Iqbal to understand his thoughts and ideas better and also for the
seekers of Allah serving as a guide. Khadim Sultan-ul-Faqr Hazrat Sakhi Sultan
Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman is the Shaikh of Sarwari Qadiri Order. He is a
well-acclaimed author having written a large collection of books on Islam, Faqr,
Tasawwuf.
In the world of Muslim poetry, Muhammad Iqbal is the only personality who is
considered and acknowledged as a scholar which is why in much of the Southern
Asia, he is also known as Hakeem-ul-Ummat(حکیم الامت “The Sage of Ummah”). He is
the most important figure in the Urdu literature though most of his work is in
Urdu, Persian as well as English. His poetry and couplets have been translated
into at least 20 different languages. His work is studied in various
universities as part of their curriculum. The reality behind the significance
and uniqueness of Iqbal’s poetry is that he wrote poetry while he delved in
conversation with God. Over and over again, he explains through his poetry that
these words are valuable neither due to their subject or his knowledge but
because they were revealed upon him by the Creator. This is the reason that
makes people from various professions and field (political, social, religious,
etc.) extract their own meaning from the poetry although it is still full of
spirituality, mysticism and Faqr. Faqr is the Love for Allah with such intensity
that it makes one reach out for Him in each breath one takes.
“Himat Ho Agar Tou Dhoond Wo ‘Faqr’
Jis ‘Faqr’ Ki Asal Hai Hijazi
Us ‘Faqr’ Se Admi Mein Paida
Allah Ki Shan Beyniazi”
Meaning: If you have strength and faith, then seek that ‘Faqr’ whose essence is
tranquility. That ‘Faqr’ inculcates the grandeur of Allah within one’self’.
It is indeed a matter of shame and misfortune for the readers of Iqbal’s poetry
who have only focused on the outward and apparent meaning but have disregarded
the spiritual and [[esoteric]] message that his words have conveyed.
‘Faqr-e-Iqbal’ hence, serves to educate this meaning to those who want to
understand the message of Iqbal. However, no one in particular can be blamed for
this misinterpretation because to understand the deep meaning of the words which
poured out of Iqbal’s pure heart require somebody of equally pure heart to
understand them which is something very rare in this age.
Iqbal’s work clarifies his desire to see Muslims in the form of Momin and seeker
of Allah and he suggests adopting the way of Faqr to gain the Vision of Allah.
Iqbal directly addresses the seekers of Allah in his poetry. Iqbal’s work
encourages reaching out for Allah.
Nigah-e-Faqr Mein Shan-e-Sikandari Kya Hai
Kharaj Ki Jo Gada Ho, Wo Qaisri Kya Hai
Meaning: The splendor of a monarch is meaningless for the people of Faqr, what
kind of grandeur is one whose riches are dependent upon borrowed gold?
His collection of poetry published in 1915 called ''Asrar-e-Khudi'' /''Secrets
of the Self'' contains his Persian poetry also translated into English by
Reynold A. Nicholson.
Allah explains His concept to create man in this Hadith-e-Qudsi:
* “I was a hidden Treasure, I desired to be known so I created mankind.”
This clarifies that the reason for the creation of man is to gain the gnosis of
Allah also known as Marifat and to recognize his Creator. How man can recognize
Allah is explained in the following Hadith:
*“He who recognizes his self, recognizes Allah.”
This ‘self’ is often termed by saints as spiritual existence, esoteric self,
inner being. However, Iqbal calls this “Khudi” or “Irfan-e-Nafs”. It is a grave
mistake for most readers/writers who consider this ‘Khudi’ as ‘ego’ instead of
understanding its true meaning as the ‘Ruh ‘(soul) itself. This is because ‘ego’
clearly distances man from Allah whereas ‘Ruh’ can never be a barrier and is in
fact the only medium which connects man to Allah. When a person dies, the dead
body exists but the self vanishes. This self belongs to Allah and is the essence
of Allah. In common terminology, ‘khudi’ simply means ‘conscience’. Identifying
what the soul seeks is in fact what Iqbal terms as ‘Irfan-e-Nafs’
(self-realization and self-knowledge).
Iqbal believed that oath from a living Murshid (Spiritual Guide)is necessary to
enter the spiritual world even if one spends one’s entire life in prayer and
worship.
Hadith:
*“He who doesn’t have a Shaikh(Murshid), his Shaikh(Murshid) is satan.”
In one of Iqbal’s letters dated, 9th March 1916, he writes to Maulana Shah
Suleman Phulwari:
“How can I be against the Real Islam and Tasawwuf when I myself belong to the
Qadria Order.”
Iqbals’ nephew Dr. Nazeer Sufi reveals that Iqbal and Iqbals’ father Shaikh Noor
Mohammad (R.A.) were the disciples of Saeen Abdullah Shah Qadri, Sialkot.
However, Iqbal got his spiritual beneficence from Maulana Rumi (R.A.) and called
himself “Mureed-e-Rumi(Disicple of Rumi)”.
Researchers conclude that this was so because Iqbal was greatly influenced by
the Mathnawi of Rumi (R.A.) whose essence exuded in Iqbal’s poetry as well.
In view of the Perfect Spiritual Guide, Iqbal says:
“Agar Koi Shuaib Aye Mysser
Shabani Se Kaleemi Dou Qadam Hai.”
Hazrat Shuaib was the spiritual guide of Hazrat Musa."
Iqbal says that if one has the perfect spiritual guide like Hazrat Shuaib then
even a shepherd like Hazrat Musa can converse with Allah.
Hence, the book introduces us to Iqbal and his concepts in their true essence
and explains the life and words of Iqbal at a more deeper and spiritual level.
Whatever fame and recognition Iqbal got was actually a result of his
relationship with Allah which he achieved through Faqr all explained in this
concise book called Faqr-e-Iqbal.
[Book Name:FAQR-E-IQBAL, Author: Khadim Sultan-ul-Faqr Hazrat Sakhi Sultan
Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman Madzillah-ul-Aqdus, Publisher: Sultan-ul-Faqr
Publications Regd., Lahore, Pakistan, Date: 2014, ISBN 978-969-9795-19-0]
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1.Hadith
2.Book Name: Faqr-e-Iqbal, Author: Khadim Sultan-ul-Faqr Hazrat Sakhi Sultan
Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman Madzillah-ul-Aqdus, Publisher: Sultan-ul-Faqr
Publications Regd., Lahore, Pakistan, Date: 2014, ISBN 978-969-9795-19-0
3.Asrar-i-Khudi (1915)
4.The Rod of Moses/Zarb-i Kalim (1936)
5.The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam (1930)
6.The Political Philosophy of Muhammad Iqbal
7.Book Name:Malfuzaat-e-Iqbal, Author:Yousaf Saleem Chishti, Publisher:
Bazm-e-Iqbal, Lahore, Pakistan, First Edition, Date: 1999
8.Book Iqbal Aur Tasawwuf, Author:Prof. Mohammad Farhan, Publisher:Bazm-e-Iqbal,
Lahore, Pakistan, First Edition, Date: 1984
9.Book Name:Risala Roohi Sharif, Author:Sultan Mohammad Najib ur Rehman,
Publisher: Sultan ul Faqr Publications Reg. Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan ISBN
978-969-9795-03-9 , First Edition, Date: August 2012
10.Book Name:Iqbal Sahib-e-Haal, Author:Dr Mohammad Jahangir Tamimi, Publisher:
Tarteeb Publishers, Faisalabad, Pakistan, First Edition, Date: 2010