Reponse to friend on Iqbal's thought: 1

I think we should be fair here. Greek philosophy does not begin with Socrates/Plato/Aristotle. Greek Alexandria or the Sophists (as pointed out by the article and yourself) were also major elements of Greek philosophy. The latter were focused on empiricism. And the conflict between 'rationalism' and 'empiricism' amongst Greeks only shows how vital Greek philosophy - predating the Muslim period of civilization by 2000 years - was. Both empiricism and rationalism emerged from Greek philosophy.

But I agree with your contention that there was much to criticize Greek philosophy on - and Muslims scientists did this in their dialectics throughout their years. While Greek philosophy may have 'concluded' or 'halted' on rationalism, it nevertheless spurred Muslim thought and allowed it to proceed further.

Iqbal's confusion (and flawed philosophy) can be best gauged from reading his lectures (collectively titled: "Reconstruction of religious thought in Islam"). In Iqbal's lecture 'Knowledge and religious experience' he uses redundant and self-congratulatory 'logic' to negate Greek philosophy and criticizes Muslim scientists who were enamoured to it. However, in his lecture 'Spirit of Muslim Culture', Iqbal uses the output of these same Muslim scientists and shows how Science was given life by these Muslims. In fact, Iqbal goes out of his way to praise those same scientists by quoting Francis Bacon who studied in the universities of Spain and who was all praise for the Arab scientists. I am not sure what to make of this flip flopping between lectures, but Iqbal's lectures are full of flip flops. This is why no one outside the Urdu/Persian world (other than the lonely Anne-Marie Schimmel :)) takes his philsophies seriously.

As I said, I (in my limited knowledge) may agree with Russell but I would value Russell's opinion or that of Al-Razi's more than Allama Iqbal. The former two were serious in their quest for pursuing knowledge and trying to keep it untarnished by personal motives or childhood beliefs. Iqbal subjects the discourse and struggles of humanity - whether the discourse and struggle were correct or incorrect - to his personal non-empirical, irrational desires. In fact, more than anything else, Iqbal's lectures reflect Iqbal's own frustration at being unable to withstand the conquest of science. This frustration is manifested in many belief systems - Muslim, Christian, Hindu etc - that are always trying to play 'catch up' to sustain themselves in face of science. Just compare the fatwas from 20 years ago, to those of 40 years ago to those of 100 years ago to today. It is as if the religious scholars are desperately competing in a marathon race hopping forward on one leg.

Alternative views on Iqbal

From time to time, this blog will attempt to critique Allama Iqbal, considered to being Pakistan's national poet and its leading 'intellectual'. Whereas all great philosophers and thinkers have numerous critics who critique, find flaws and reevaluate their philosophies, testing to see if they stand the test of time and expansion of knowledge, Allama Iqbal has no critics.

On numerous occasions I inquired from the Iqbal Academy (located on 6th floor of Aiwan-e-Iqbal, Lahore) to assist me on a book critiquing Iqbal's philosophy or poetry. However, the only book on 'criticisms of Iqbal' in their computerized database was 'Allama Iqbal's criticism of western philosophy'.

While Iqbal may have 'implored' Muslims of the subcontinent to 'think and contemplate', practically he has proven to be an extremely stagnant force in both the intellectual and philosophical realm. The reasons exist in the ideas expounded in his book, 'Reconstruction of religious thought in Islam', a series of seven lectures.

The only person who has attempted to 'critique' Iqbal without inviting accusations of 'unpatriotism' and such forth is Javed Iqbal, the poet's son. A open, broader discussion on Iqbal's philosophy, its limitations, potential and ramifications is needed.

Pakistanis will eventually come to understand that there is more to philosophy and intellect than Iqbal.

As Iqbal would say, 'sitaroan say aagay jehaan aur bhi hain..." [there are world's that exist beyond our imaginations...]