In the Holy Qur'an, Allah has provided a sign of taqwa (piety), stating that through it, Allah grants the believer Furqan (discerning judgment). With the help of this Furqan, a person gains the ability to distinguish between truth and falsehood. This Furqan can only be granted to a believer who has self-awareness, because true perfection can only be attained when you are clear about your own identity. In fact, Furqan is another name for self-awareness, which Iqbal refers to as khudi (selfhood).
Allah has also mentioned another sign of the muttaqin (pious ones) in the Qur'an, stating that when they are touched by a satanic thought, they become alert, and their eyes open. Today, humans have access to many resources for worldly education, but there is a significant lack of spiritual training, whether in schools, colleges, or universities. Alongside worldly training, spiritual education is a crucial aspect of human life, and without it, a person cannot find peace and tranquility in life. This is because the soul is an order of Allah, and its training is only possible through revelation, inspiration, and the Divine Word.
Spiritual training is essentially what helps a person understand their true identity and brings them closer to both themselves and Allah. Therefore, in today's world, the poetry of Allama Iqbal holds immense importance as a prominent proof of the truth of Islam in this materialistic era. His words guide a person to self-awareness and transform them into a believer filled with khudi, as Iqbal beautifully expresses in one of his verses:
"If you seek annihilation, then free yourself from your own self (ego). But if you desire immortality, then establish yourself within your own essence."
All poetry translated in English by A J Arberry.
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Waseem Abbas
Lahore, Pakistan