Muslim Community And Their Cultural Attributes In The Light Of Allama Iqbal’s Philosophy: Historical And Critical Analysis

Abstract

Iqbal's analysis of Muslim culture is primarily based on the method of induction which has given birth to the spirit of the concrete. Before undertaking a critical study of the method, it is essential to summarize the views of Iqbal as set forth in his lecture, 'The Spirit of Muslim Culture'.

Iqbal begins with the idea of prophecy and differentiates between the prophetic and the mystic types of consciousness. The former returns from 'the repose of unitary experience' whereas the latter does not long to return and when he returns, be does not bring much meaningful message for mankind. The pragmatic value of the prophetic experience is, no doubt, of immense significance, 'Why' (inspiration) is a universal property of life. During the early, stages of mankind, prophetic consciousness was parsimonious in the realm of thought and action. With the birth of inductive intellect, prophecy withered away in the world of Islam. Man re-gained an independent posture. Mystic experience, however, remained possible and desirable for it integrated emotion with reason. There was no qualitative difference between the prophetic and the mystic consciousness. The idea of finality in Islam meant that with the cessation of prophecy the era of Divine authority had ceased to exist.