Allama Iqbal’s Educational Thought and Philosophy and His Message for the Youth
Allama Mohammad Iqbal- the great poet, philosopher and thinker of the Muslim world, but he had a great and unrivalled vision when it came to the education and its potential. His philosophy of education is Islamic-oriented, spiritual expansion and individual potential awakening. According to Iqbal, the education is not merely to get degrees and information but to develop character, to have a sense of purpose in life and to create leadership quality in youth.
Education for Self-Discovery
The doctrine of Khudi (selfhood or self-realisation) is the keystone of Iqbal's philosophy. He thouy,\f it,gh t that in each life he could see something of hidden strength and nobility. Education should be use to wake up that inner strength. According to Iqbal GOOD education system is the one, is which students are made to think and question and believe in themselves.
He famously wrote:
Khudi ko kar bulund itna ke har taqdeer se pehle,
Khuda bande se khud pooche, bata teri raza kya hai.
خُدی کو کر بلند اتنا کہ ہر تقدیر سے پہلے
خُدا بندے سے خود پوچھے، بتا! تیری رضا کیا ہے
These lines represent his conviction that self-confidence would enable people to carve their own fate driven by faith in God.
Education with a Spiritual Foundation
Iqbal attacked this system of learning as it produced mere careerists who were deprived of all morality. He was of the opinion that education must be the meeting place of spirit and science, of faith and reason, of ethics and intellect. A person who is learned but not spiritual is incomplete, Iqbal argues.
He wished for a system in which recitation of the the Qur’an would not just be recitation but a thing to be deeply listened to, deeply understood, deeply reflected and deeply lived! Education, he said, should produce not only clever people, but also moral, responsible people.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VdnLO8KcUto
3.1Teachers and Institutions
Iqbal saw teachers as strengthening the moral character of individuals and thus the nation. He thought that teachers should help make their pupils brave, far-seeing, and honest. He also emphasized the need to reform Muslim schools and introduce science, technology and modern learning along with religious education.
By boundary, I mean that, in Iqbal’s perfect system, the schools would train pupils to excel not just in the world, but spiritually and in service to the Ummah (community of Muslims).
Iqbal’s Message to the Youth
Iqbal had great faith in the youth and frequently appealed to them in his poetry. He likened them to Shaheen (falcons) — bold, free and the ones meant to soar highest. He urged children to be courageous, to be free-thinking, and to aim high in life.
He said:
“Nahin tera nasheman qasr-e-sultani ke gumbad par,
Tu shaheen hai, mere aqa, basera kar pahadon ki chatanon mein.”
نہیں تیرا نشیمن قصرِ سلطانی کے گنبد پر
تو شاہین ہے، بسیرا کر پہاڑوں کی چٹانوں میں
This couplet exhorts the younger generation to aspire to great heights, shun comfort and luxury and adopt a life of struggle and purpose. Iqbal was of the opinion that the youth of today is the leader of tomorrow and their enthusiasm and spirit can change the destiny of Muslim world.
Conclusion
Lessons from Allama Iqbal’s Philosophy of Education have a strong bearing even in the present times. In an increasingly identity-crisis-ridden world, where moral and ethical standards are waning, and shallow learning is rampant, his vision invites us to rejuvenate our spiritual anchor, nurture inner strength, and pursue worldly as well as eternal success in life. His answer to the youth is plain and simple: trust yourself, hold fast to your faith, and guide your community to a better, stronger tomorrow.
Also read:
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