Quick Facts

• Born: November 9, 1877; Sialkot, British India
• Died: April 21, 1938; Lahore, British India
• Pen Name: Allama Iqbal
• Full Name: Muhammad Iqbal
• Notable Awards: Knighted by the British Crown (1922)
• Profession: Poet, Philosopher, Lawyer, Politician
• Languages Known: Urdu, Persian, Arabic, English, German
• Spouse: Three marriages (Karim Bibi, Sardar Begum, Mukhtar Begum)
• Children: Javed Iqbal (son, judge and scholar)
• Known For: Vision of Pakistan, Islamic philosophy, spiritual poetry

Allama Iqbal was not only a poet. He was a thinker, a reformer, and a visionary who inspired generations across South Asia. Often called “Mufakkir-e-Pakistan” (The Thinker of Pakistan) and “Shair-e-Mashriq” (Poet of the East), his work shaped the intellectual foundation for what would later become the idea of Pakistan.

Born in Sialkot in 1877, Iqbal showed a strong interest in languages, philosophy, and poetry from a young age. He studied at Government College, Lahore, and later earned degrees from the University of Cambridge and the University of Munich, where he completed a PhD in philosophy. His studies abroad exposed him to Western thought, but his heart always beat for the East.

Iqbal wrote fluently in both Urdu and Persian, often choosing Persian for his more philosophical works. His poetry was deeply spiritual and intellectual. It explored themes like self-awareness, divine love, and the moral revival of the Muslim world. Famous works like Bang-e-Dra, Asrar-e-Khudi, and Payam-e-Mashriq reflect his vision of a stronger, united, and awakened Islamic identity.

Though a poet by soul, Iqbal was also active in law and politics. In 1930, during his presidential address at the All-India Muslim League session, he proposed the idea of a separate homeland for Muslims in India. This speech is often seen as the first formal articulation of what would later become Pakistan.

In his personal life, Iqbal had three marriages and several children. His son, Javed Iqbal, went on to become a prominent judge and Islamic scholar. The father-son bond was strong and inspired Iqbal’s famous poetic collection Baal-e-Jibril, which contains poems addressed to Javed as life lessons.

Allama Iqbal passed away in 1938 in Lahore, nearly a decade before Pakistan came into being. His tomb, near the Badshahi Mosque, is visited by thousands each year.

Iqbal’s influence extends far beyond politics. He reminded people to think freely, act with courage, and rise above fear. His poetry continues to stir minds and move hearts across borders, cultures, and generations.