Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Iqbal Studies

Hi everyone except Ahmad Bhai,

In a recent meeting, we discussed the foundations of the Society of Iqbal Sciences. Here is what I want to share on this subject as follow-up (with you also, Ahmad Bhai).

Iqbal Sciences is the name we have given to the study of Iqbal's work on his own terms, and the study of related disciplines in the light of conclusions drawn from this. As such this is different from and possibly a branch of Iqbal Studies where the scope of study is not so well-defined.

To begin with, there are the following major areas of study in Iqbal Sciences:
  1. Literature, etc
  2. History and Politics
  3. Religion
  4. Education
  5. Iqbal
  6. Quaid-i-Azam Jinnah
  7. Liaquat Ali Khan
  8. Regional Studies
  9. Personal narratives

Each of these areas is there for a purpose, and has been defined in the light of the works of Iqbal or findings from those works (I have been using these nine areas as tags on my RR Blog for some time now).

4 comments:

  1. Hello,

    While I am not sure where you are leading by bringing us into your lifetime dedication of the Iqbal Studies, I am happy to be included. For one, I am always helped by having clear guidelines. Two, this post reminds me of your lifetime work and the dedication and clear focus you have for this work. Three, since I am a westerner from a nation which is a huge problem to your country and to mine as well, this inclusion, along with so much else you do, Khurram Sahib, within and extended out from Republic of Rumi helps me to feel a part of a good world - the world that we seek to both keep and make good together, the world of the poets, the visionaries, the original founders who sought a safe sanctuary for all.

    Oh, and there are two more reason I'm happy to see this post - ie - perhaps this means that you, Sahib, both need and WANT smaller community discussions about your scholarship?

    Finally, I'm wondering if presenting to us this post at this time means that you will in turn share with us some of the rather unknown and somewhat secret findings within your studies which have yet to come fully to the light?

    Whatever the answers, I'm grateful to be included and look forward to hearing from the others.

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  2. Dear Khurram Bhai: It's good to see myself addressed in an "exceptional" way! :-) (Couldn't get why, though?)

    I think the reason to introduce Iqbal Sciences here was to respond to some of the queries you have been having as to what Iqbal Sciences meant?

    I think the sentence here, is "the study of Iqbal's work on his own terms" and the key phrase is "on his own terms."

    In the prologue stanza of Asrar-e-Khudi Iqbal mentions quite clearly that what he was presenting was not for the people of his day and age. Rather it was meant for a generation well into the future. Why he requested his contemporaries not even to bother worrying about his works was probably that he was sure it would be measured/misinterpreted according to the literary standards of that time - or the pre-exiting ideas/ideals. He did not want that. He knew that to discover his real message the books have to be burned and the Disciples have to go looking for the extraordinary Shiekh...

    As we learned, that we would have to unlearn whatever we have learned so far, we would then be able to understand and interpret Iqbal's message on his terms.

    I would request you, Khurram Bhai, to post some basic notions about what "Iqbal's own terms" mean... and why can't we just treat Iqbal's poetry just as any other poet's works? What are the hidden pointers which we have to discover? This incidently happens to be Connie's last point as well and I think she is on the right track!

    Let the discussions begin!

    Ahmad Safi

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  3. Ahmad Bhai, you were part of the group where this had already been discussed earlier, with your major input, hence I excepted you in the "hi" :).

    I did not post this on IQBAL SCIENCES blog because I want the Alhamra post to stay at the top there for a bit longer :).

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  4. I am most grateful to you and honor your work and legacy as well, Ahmad Safi (how can I rightfully address you here?)...

    Number one, that you are here at this site.

    Number two I'm so glad to hear another say that we can't treat Iqbal's poetry as just another poet's work!

    Thank you Ahmad (Sahib or Doctor?) that you back up my desire to learn more of the secret pointers? Maybe the time has finally come for we who are deaf to hear from your ears and we who are blind to see with your eyes.

    Well, I already see so much yet now I want your guidance and hidden pointers as well....

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