Hawzah News Agency- Hojatoleslam Syed Sajid Ali Naqvi, head of the Pakistan Shia Scholars Council, issued a message marking the birth anniversary of Allama Iqbal Lahori, highlighting his prominent role in the intellectual awakening of Muslims in the subcontinent. He stated that Iqbal, by promoting a spirit of freedom-seeking and independence, called on Muslims to practically embrace the teachings of the Holy Quran, the conduct of the Prophet, and authentic Islamic values.
Referring to Iqbal's prominent role in the intellectual and political awakening of Muslims in the subcontinent, he said that the great poet and thinker not only awakened a spirit of freedom-seeking and independence among Muslims but also called on them to practically embrace the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Prophet's conduct, study the lives of Islamic luminaries, and promote Islamic values and traditions in society. Iqbal also critiqued the weaknesses and shortcomings of Western civilization and culture through his poetry and works, warning of their consequences.
The head of the Pakistan Shia Scholars Council expressed regret that society has drifted from Iqbal's ideals, stating that more than half a century after Pakistan's founding, the nation has still not fully realized the dream this great thinker had for his land. While his words and poetry have yielded rich literary and aesthetic benefits, he said, adequate attention has not been paid to understanding the deep message and thought embedded in his works or to efforts to realize them in practice. He also noted that although numerous institutions and centers have been established in his name, sufficient attention has not been given to promoting and operationalizing his ideas and ideals.
Hojatoleslam Naqvi added that Iqbal taught Muslims a vision and method of freedom-seeking and independence, but unfortunately the nation did not adhere to these teachings as it should have, even though the core of his thought was the revival of selfhood, intellectual awakening, strengthening self-confidence, and cultivating a spirit of freedom and independence among Muslims.
Highlighting a prominent feature of Allama Muhammad Iqbal Lahori's intellectual and scholarly character, he noted that one of the most important strengths of this thinker of the Islamic world was his purposeful and constructive use of the Holy Quran, the Prophet's tradition, and Islamic history—an approach clearly reflected in his works and poetry. Throughout his verses, Iqbal presented Islamic teachings, traditions, and values and called on Muslims to rediscover their authentic religious and civilizational identity.
The head of the Pakistan Shia Scholars Council concluded by emphasizing that Allama Iqbal should be honored not merely as a great and renowned poet, but that through a deep understanding of his thoughts, messages, and intellectual and practical efforts, the nation should strive to realize his ideals across various spheres of social and national life.
It is worth noting that November 9 marks the birth anniversary of Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal Lahori, the renowned poet, philosopher, and thinker of the Islamic world and Pakistan's national poet, celebrated annually across the country as "Iqbal Day."
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