Iqbal, Quran and Muslim Unity

By Dr. Mansoor Alam

Muslims are supposed to work together towards a common goal set by the Quran and
shown by the Prophet (PBUH) through his Sunnah. They are brothers and sisters
because they are bonded by the common ideology of the unity of God and the unity of
humankind.

These are the foundational principles of Islam. The Quran and the Sunnah of the
Prophet (PBUH) require Muslims to work for the unity of the Ummah. Muslims are
required to be merciful towards each other (The Quran (48:29)) and be like the body
where if any part hurts the whole body should feel the pain (Hadith). But, are
Muslims practicing this injunction of the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet
(PBUH)? Muslims and various Islamic organizations are working hard but it is
frustratingly obvious that the above goals are ever so illusive. Instead of Muslims
being united in mercy towards each other, they are, on the whole, far from it. Instead
of feeling the pain and misery of other Muslims (Chechens, Palestinians, Kashmiris,
for example), most of us are happily enjoying our material comforts of life. Is Muslim
unity only a dream that cannot be fulfilled? Many argue that all this talk of Muslim
unity is out of date. Islam may have once united Muslims but present reality makes it
impossible. They say it is nice talk, which makes Muslims feel good but an unrealistic
goal that cannot be achieved. Muslims spend (and have spent) a lot of their time and
emotional energy debating this issue.

We will come back to this fundamental question- is Muslim unity possible, and if it is,
then how to achieve it? But first, let us find out the present state of Muslims and
compare it with the Iqbal’s visionary diagnosis of their problems.

Muslim misery and suffering is as common today as it was in the days of Iqbal. Every
day that passes brings more death and destruction to Muslims, only at a much wider
scale. It is sad to see Muslim governments collaborating with non-Muslims to inflict
damage and suffering against fellow Muslims. Many Muslim groups are also engaged
in fighting against each other in many parts of the Muslim world. And in some
countries where Muslims are in minority, their condition is even worse. As a minority
they are systematically being subjected to discrimination, humiliation, persecution,
torture, and rape. One wonders: is it ever going to end?

When Greeks attacked Turkey in 1923 (at the behest of the British) Iqbal’s heart
started crying. He knew that it was not just an attack on Turkey, but it was an attack
on Islam itself. He tried to free the Muslim mind from the prevailing colonial
mentality and from Muslims’ own narrow self-interests. He wrote the poem "Tolu-e-
Islam" which later became one of his classic works. [Copies of this poem were sold
and all proceeds were sent to Turkey.] He said:
"Hawas ne tukre tukre kar diya hay na’u insan ko
ukhuwwat ka bayan ho ja mohabbat ki zaban ho ja
ye Hindi, wo Khurasani, ye Afghani, wo Turani
tu ay sharmindayeh sahil uchhal kar bekaraan ho ja"
"Greed has torn apart humankind. You (Muslims), become role models of love and
brotherhood. Get beyond the narrow boundaries of nationalities (like Indian,
Khurasani, Afghani, and Turkish) and jump into the limitless ocean (of Islam)."

Observing the present situation in which Muslims find themselves today, Iqbal’s soul
must be feeling extremely restless. Alas! There is no Iqbal today among Muslims who
can guide the Muslim Ummah against the forces that are bent on its destruction. But
the Muslim Ummah can also be torn apart due to internal conflicts.

In fact, this is what is happening to Muslim Ummah today. Probably, there are no
people in the world today who have been as divided as Muslims. They are divided
along religious, political, ethnic, cultural, racial, linguistic, and sectarian lines. These
divisions extend further into subdivisions. Status, wealth, fame, and fortune have also
created social differences among Muslims.

Muslims are divided at the root into Sunnis and Shias. Sunnis are further divided into
Hanafi, Maliki, Shaafai, and Hanbali. Shias too are divided into Kesania, Zaidia,
Imamia or Ithna ‘Ashari, Ismalia, etc. Sunnis are also divided into Ahle-hadith and
Ahle-fiqha. In the Indian subcontinent (at least) Ahle-fiqha are further divided into
Deobandis and Barelwis. Similar differences exist in other places as well. Are all
these divisions and differences schools of thought as many Muslims claim? Whether
or not we admit it, these differences and divisions do create physical, emotional, and
psychological barriers amongst us. Iqbal says that these differences create prejudice in
human beings:
"Shajar hay firqa arayee, ta’assub hay samar iska
ye wo phal hay jo jannat se nikalwata hay adam ko"

"These divisions are the branches of a tree; its fruit is prejudice. This is the fruit which
gets Adam (man) expelled from Jannah (peaceful life)."

Although in North America we do try to work together (despite our religious

differences) in a civilized manner, but our brothers and sisters back home are not that
fortunate. There, these differences sometimes lead to violence and killings. Why is
that despite clear warnings of the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH)
against it? Is it due to the prejudices that are the inevitable results of our divisions, as
Iqbal mentions in the above poem?

With all these divisions and differences, can we progress in the world? Iqbal does not
think so:
"Firqa bandi hay kaheen aur kaheen zatein hain
kya zamane mein panapne ki yahee batein hain"

"Somewhere are religious divisions and somewhere are differences based on caste. Is
this the way to prosper in the world?"

He further says:
"Tum syed bhi ho Mirza bhi ho Afghan bhi ho
tum sabhi kuchh ho batao ki musalman bhi ho"
"You are Syed; you are Mirza; you are Afghan. You are everything. Tell me, are you
Muslim too?"

Here Iqbal uses the word "Syed" to represent the caste system that has penetrated
Muslims (especially in the Indian subcontinent because of Hindu influence). He uses
the word "Mirza" to represent the ruling elite and the word "Afghan" to represent the
differences in Muslims based on region, language, and race.

All these differences are anti-Qur’anic. When Iqbal poses the question, "Tell me, are
you Muslim too?" he implies that those who feel proud and superior compared to
other fellow Muslims because of these labels attached to their names (and not because
of Taqwa), they are not entitled to be called true Muslims.

Qur’an says that those who create differences in the Deen (Islam) are among the
Mushrikun:

"Be not among the Mushrikun i.e., those who create differences in Deen (Isalm) and
become sects. Each (sectarian) party quite content with itself (that it is following the
correct path)." (30:32)

"And those who create division in Deen (Islam) and become divided into sects, O
Prophet (PBUH)! You have no part in them in the least." (6:159)

The Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said:

"Anyone who gets even one feet away from the Ummah has taken out the Islamic
yoke from his neck, even if he prays and fasts."

That is why Qur’an calls upon all Muslims to be united and hold on steadfastly to the
rope of Allah (i.e. Qur’an) and gives a stern warning to them not to create any
divisions (3:103) amongst themselves.

If we look at the global picture as a whole, we find that the number of Muslims has
grown steadily to more than a billion today. Muslims possess the richest resources of
the world and the most fertile lands of the earth. In spite of this, how ironic that the
most vulnerable and the most dependent people on earth are also Muslims.

Coming to the religious level, we find that the number of mosques is growing
everywhere. The number of Muslims going to mosques is also increasing. The
number of Muslims performing the annual pilgrimage increases every year, and in
fact, has to be controlled to restrict the number. The number of Muslim organizations
has been growing steadily. Whenever some differences arise among Muslims in one
organization, they create another one and build another mosque. Noticing such an
abundance of religious fervor among Muslims, Iqbal was led to say:
"Masjid to banadi shab bhar mein imaan ke hararat walon ne
man apna purana papi hay barson mein namazi ban na saka"

"Those with fervor in their faith built the mosque in a night, but the heart is sinful and
did not prostrate in years."
Now, let us come to the real question. In spite of all the speeches and the sermons
exhorting Muslims to unite, we see that the result is disappointing, to say the least.
Why is that? The only way to diagnose this problem is to find the root cause
according to Iqbal.

We will have to go deeper into our hearts to find out the root cause of our problems. If
we look only at the outside, then just like a tree, we will see its trunk, the branches,
and the leaves. And if the roots have become infected with a disease, no matter how
strong the rest of the tree is, sooner or later it is going to die. Actually, its demise may
be hastened even by a moderate wind. No amount of nourishment given to the
branches and leaves will help prevent its final demise.

Obviously, the source to which we must turn to find out the root cause of the problem
must provide the necessary guidance to diagnose it. According to Iqbal, the necessary
guidance to diagnose all our (not just Muslims’ but entire humanity’s) ills is contained
in the Qur’an:
"Wahi derina bimari wahi namuhkami dil ki
‘ilaj iska wahi aabe nishat angez hay saaqi"

"It is the same old disease, the same psychological problem of the heart. The cure is
also the same, ‘Aab-e-Nishat’ i.e., the Qur’an."

Qur’an says:

"O mankind! There has come to you a guidance from your Lord and a cure for the
disease in your hearts." (10:57)

Thus according to Qur’an and Iqbal, the disease of all our problems lies in our hearts
and therefore, the cure should also begin there. Iqbal says:
"Zaban se kah bhi diya la ilaha illah to kya hasil
Dil-o-nigah Musalman naheen to kuchh bhi naheen"

"What can you accomplish by saying la ilaha with your tongue? If your heart is not a
Muslim, then it is nothing."

That is, the Iman should enter the depths of the heart. Simply saying that I believe is
not enough, according to the Quran (49:14).

The Qur’an says:

"Among human beings are those who say ‘We believe in Allah and the Last day;’ but
they are not among the Momins." (2:8)

Those born in Muslim families cannot claim to be Momins (just like the bedouoins of
Arabia) unless Iman has entered their hearts.

"The bedouins say, ‘We believe,’ (O Rasool) Say to them that you don’t believe, but
you have accepted to surrender (to Islam) and Iman has not yet entered the depths of
your hearts." (49:14)
Also, Iman is not blind faith. The Qur’an clearly says that Iman becomes strong only
with knowledge,

"And that those on whom knowledge has been bestowed may know that (Qur’an) is
the Truth from your Lord, so that they may believe in it and their hearts may be made
humbly (open) to it." (22:54)

Therefore, the heart must be kept humble and open, so that Iman acquired by the mind
(knowledge) may enter the heart. Iman cannot enter those whose hearts have disease
and those who have sealed and hardened their hearts (22:53).

Qur’an says the Momins have dignity and power over others:

"If you are Momins, then you will have dominance and power." (3:139)

And unbelievers will never be able to subdue and dominate Momins:

"And never will We grant to the unbelievers victory and domination over Momins."
(4:141)

Obviously, if we as Muslims compare ourselves with these very clear verses of

Qur’an, then we have to come to only one conclusion that we are not among the
Momins which the Qur’an talks about. Majority of our hearts are not open and
humble. In fact, Qur’an tells us that instead of making the heart open and humble,
there are some who let their emotions and ego control them. It says:

"Have you seen the one who has taken his own emotions as his god." (25:43)

Iqbal says regarding this type of person:

"Zabaan se gar kiya tauheed ka da’wa to kya hasil
banaya hay bute pindaar ko apna khuda tu ne"

"What is the benefit if you claim with your tongue in oneness of God? You have
made your emotion an idol and taken it as your god."

How many of us (besides practicing the five pillars) are willing to go deep down in
our hearts and honestly admit that we follow our emotions more often than we follow
Allah (i.e. Book of Allah)? Allah demands total and complete surrender of our wills:

"O you who believe! Enter in Islam completely." (2:208)

Therefore, the problems which we Muslims are facing today are the outward
symptoms of the root cause, i.e., the internal friction in our hearts between obedience
to Allah and obedience to our own emotions and egos. And it is this internal conflict
that is referred to as the disease of the heart by the Qur’an. Iqbal too espouses this
same theme of the Qur’an when he says:
"Batil du-ee pasand hay haq la sharik hay
shirkat miyan-e haq-o-batil na kar qubool"
"Batil (as opposed to Haq; the Truth) likes to compromise but Haq is
uncompromising. Do not accept the middle ground between Haq and Batil."

Therefore, as long as we Muslims keep compromising the TRUTH contained in the

Quran, there is no hope for a cure of our collective mental, psychological, and
emotional ills. We do not know how many psychological, emotional, and mental
forms of idols we carry all the time in our hearts and minds. Qur’an demands us to
cleanse and purify our hearts from all kinds of Ilah. These subtle forms of shirk are
addictive and like a slow poison have a deadening effect on our hearts and minds.
Iqbal in his unique God given style says:
"Dile murda dil naheen hay ise zida kar dobara
ki yahee hay ummaton ke marge kuhan ka chara"

"The deadened heart is not a heart. Make it alive again. This is the only way to cure
the age old diseases of nations."

How to revive and resuscitate the dead heart; Iqbal says it is only possible through
Qur’an:
"Gar tu mi khahi Musalman zeestan – neest mumkin juz ba Quran zeestan"
"If you wish to live the life a Muslim, then it is not possible except by the Quran."

‘Aisha (R) said: "The Prophet (PBUH) was a walking Quran." Thus the Sunnah is to
live by the Quran and not just read it for earning reward for the hereafter.

Iqbal says about our Sahaba (R):

"Wo mu’azziz they zamane mein Musalman hokar
aur tum khwar huey tarike Quran hokar"

"They had dignity and power in the world because of Islam. And you are suffering
humiliation and defeat because you have left the Qur’an."

Quran says that our Prophet (PBUH) will complain to Allah:

"And the Prophet (PBUH) will say: "O my Lord! Truly my people took the Quran for
just foolish nonsense (i.e., they left the message of the Quran)." (25:30)

But Iqbal also emphasizes that there are plenty of roadblocks in the path of the Quran.
No less is the roadblock presented by some religious scholars in the name of Islam.
Iqbal says:
"Khud badalte naheen Quran ko badal dete hain
huwey kis darja faqeehane haram be taufiq"

"These people don’t change themselves but they change the Qur’an (by their
interpretations). How unfortunate are these custodians of haram (Islam)."

He further says:
"Ahkam tere haq hain magar apne mufassir
taaweel se Quran ko bana sakte hain Pazhand"
"O Allah! Your guidance is no doubt The Truth. But our interpreters can turn Qur’an
into Pazhand by their interpretations."

[Pazhand is the book compiled by the followers of Zoroaster which according to them
is the interpretation of Avesta, the book of Zoroaster in which his followers inserted
their own thoughts.]

And finally, Muslims should always keep in front of them the following verse, which
describes the law for change:

"It is a fact that Allah does not change the condition of a people unless they bring
about change in their own selves." (13:11)

Iqbal echoes exactly the same message of the Quran in his own God given style when
he says:
"Khuda ne aaj tak us qaum ki haalat naheen badlee
na ho jisko khyal aap apni haalat ke badalne ka"

Let us conclude with the folowing message of Iqbal:

"Manf-e-at ek hai is qaum ki nuqsaan bhi ek
ek hi sab ka nabi deen bhi iman bhi ek
harame paak bhi Allah bhi Quran bhi ek
kuchh bari baat thi hote jo Musalman bhi ek"

"There is one common gain and one common loss for all Muslims. (Remember the
Prophet’s hadith that all Muslims are like a body.) One Prophet (PBUH) for all and
one Iman for all. One Ka’aba, one Allah and one Qur’an for all. How great it would
be if Muslims also were one!"

Let us pray to Allah to unite our hearts in the path of Islam. It is Allah’s promise that
if we do that, then we will regain our dignity, power, and glory (24:55). And Allah
does not break His promise (2:80).