A CRITICAL STUDY OF IQBAL’S PHILOSOPHICAL THOUGHT IN THE LIGHT OF ALI ABBAS JALAL PURI IQBAL KA ILM -UL-KALAM

Abstract

Iqbal Studies is a vast and intricate domain of Urdu literary criticism, in which scholars and thinkers of every era have sought to interpret and elucidate the poetry, philosophy, and religious thought of Allama Muhammad Iqbal. However, most Iqbal scholars have approached his ideas through a lens of reverence and admiration, often compromising the critical distance necessary for scholarly analysis. In this context, Ali Abbas Jalalpuri's book "Iqbal ka Ilm-ul-Kalam" emerges as a bold and distinctive effort. It offers an objective assessment of Iqbal’s intellectual framework and sets an example of intellectual integrity, logical reasoning, and critical courage within Urdu criticism. Recognized as a philosopher and a serious critic, Jalalpuri challenged impressionistic criticism in Urdu literature by introducing rational and analytical critique. His book represents an intellectual dialogue that scrutinizes Iqbal’s theological ideas—including the concept of God, fate and free will, determinism, life after death, the status of humanity, and the relationship between religion and reason. Jalalpuri argues that Iqbal’s thought contains philosophical inconsistencies, arising from the emotional expression of a poet and the rational demands of a philosopher. He analyzes both Iqbal’s poetry and prose to conclude that Iqbal’s system of thought is not a coherent philosophical structure but rather a fusion of diverse intellectual traditions. This paper examines the arguments presented in Jalalpuri’s work within the framework of classical and contemporary sources in philosophy and theology. The critical study reveals that Jalalpuri presents Iqbal not as a sanctified figure beyond critique but as a dynamic, complex thinker operating on a human intellectual level. His writing exemplifies the intellectual honesty essential to scholarly analysis and a rare courage seldom seen in Urdu literary criticism. The book’s significant contribution lies in reinforcing the tradition of philosophical and theological discourse in Urdu literature. Jalalpuri’s method is grounded in reason and inquiry, engaging the reader in a scholarly journey that questions, investigates, and critiques ideas. Ultimately, "Iqbal ka Ilm-ul-Kalam" offers not only a serious dialogue on Iqbal’s thought but also a new paradigm of intellectual clarity, critical responsibility, and philosophical engagement for Urdu criticism. Jalalpuri's work serves as a guiding framework for future scholars who wish to transform criticism into a tool of inquiry, dialogue, and accountability, rather than mere endorsement.