Iqbal, the Muslims, and Transcending Imperialism

Abstract

This research paper emphasizes how crucial it is to refute the false narratives that colonial and imperial narratives create, particularly in the case of the Muslims, post 9/11 attacks. It does so by delving into the famous Urdu poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s portrayal of Islam, the Muslim identity and the Muslim community in his Urdu poetry. It explores Iqbal’s strategic critique of western imperialism, and his vision of Muslim autonomy. Moreover, the research paper traces Iqbal’s ideological development from a hybrid self to a unified self that eventually made him a supporter of Muslim independence and decolonization which everyone can take inspiration from. The paper attempts to provide a sharp contrast to the kind of representation done by any colonial or postcolonial writer of literature, whose opinions on global matters are mainly influenced by western colonialism or western imperialism. Countering western imperialism’s false narratives is necessary to establish peace and equality in a world flaring with racism, and injustices of all sorts.

Keyword: hybridity, unified self, strategic location, strategic

                  formation, ambivalence, creolization, exoticization