Commentary: An insight on Iqbal's "nahīñ hai nā-umīd' iqbāl' apnī kisht-e-vīrāñ se"

 

نہیں ہے ناامید اقبالؔ اپنی کشت ویراں سے

ذرا نم ہو تو یہ مٹی بہت زرخیز ہے ساقی

 

nahīñ hai nā-umīd 'iqbāl' apnī kisht-e-vīrāñ se

zarā nam ho to ye miTTī bahut zarḳhez hai saaqī

 

This is a famous couplet by Allama Iqbal, a renowned poet and philosopher of the Indian subcontinent. The couplet is from his collection of poems called Baal-e-Gibril

The couplet is based on the idea of khudi, or selfhood, which is one of the core concepts of Iqbal’s philosophy. Khudi means the development of one’s individual and collective personality, potential, and identity. Iqbal believed that khudi is the source of creativity, dynamism, and progress for Muslims and humanity in general.

According to Iqbal, khudi is not something that is given to a person, but something that has to be achieved through hard work, struggle, and faith. He said:

“Khudi ko kar buland itna ke har taqdeer se pehle Khuda bande se khud pooche bata teri raza kya hai”

"Elevate your selfhood so high that before every decree God himself asks you: Tell me, what is your wish?"

Iqbal used the metaphor of a barren field to represent the state of khudi in his or his nation’s condition. He said that he or his nation is not hopeless of their barren field, because they have the potential to make it fertile and productive with a little effort and grace. He said that if the soil gets a little moist, it can produce abundant crops. He implied that moisture is the symbol of divine inspiration or guidance, which can awaken the dormant seeds of khudi in the soil of human nature.

He addressed Saqi, which means the cup-bearer or the giver of wine, as a symbol of divine inspiration or guidance. He asked Saqi to pour some wine on his barren field, so that it can become alive and fruitful. He said:

“Saqi namaaz-e-ishq hai shauq-e-deedar hai Tu bhi aa ke shahadat de apni kisht-e-viran par”

"Saqi, prayer of love is longing for vision You too come and witness your barren field"

 

۞ قُلْ يَـٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا۟ مِن رَّحْمَةِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ ٥٣

 

Qur’an 39:53 is a verse that conveys a message of hope and forgiveness from Allah to those who have sinned and feel guilty. It says:

Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful."

This verse is based on the concept of repentance (tawbah), which means turning back to Allah with sincerity and remorse after committing a sin. Allah is the Most Merciful and the Most Forgiving, and He accepts the repentance of His servants who seek His pardon and guidance. He does not hold them accountable for their sins if they repent sincerely and reform themselves.

This verse also encourages the believers to have optimism (raja’) in Allah’s mercy and grace, and not to lose hope or despair of His forgiveness. Despairing of Allah’s mercy is a sign of weak faith and a major sin in itself. Allah says:

And who despairs of the mercy of his Lord except for those astray?

 

The relation between Iqbal’s couplet and Qur’an 39:53 is that both of them encourage the believers to have optimism (raja’) in Allah’s mercy and grace, and not to lose hope or despair of His forgiveness. Both of them also warn against complacency (amn) and presumption (ghuroor) of Allah’s forgiveness, which may lead to persisting in sin or taking His mercy for granted. Both of them also teach us to balance between hope and fear in Allah, and to always seek His forgiveness and mercy with humility and sincerity.

One example of the relation between Iqbal’s couplet and Qur’an 39:53 is the case of Malcolm X, a famous African-American Muslim leader and activist. Malcolm X was born as Malcolm Little in 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska. He faced racism, violence, and poverty throughout his childhood and youth. He became involved in crime, drugs, and gambling, and was sentenced to prison in 1946 for burglary.

In prison, Malcolm X learned about the teachings of the Nation of Islam (NOI), a black nationalist and religious movement that claimed to follow Islam. He converted to NOI and changed his surname to X, symbolizing his rejection of his slave name. He became a prominent spokesperson and minister of NOI, and advocated for black empowerment, separatism, and self-defense.

However, Malcolm X later realized that NOI’s teachings were not in accordance with true Islam, and that its leader, Elijah Muhammad, was corrupt and immoral. He left NOI in 1964 and performed Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, where he witnessed the unity and diversity of Muslims from different races and backgrounds. He embraced orthodox Sunni Islam and changed his name to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz. He also moderated his views on race and politics, and sought to cooperate with other civil rights leaders.

Malcolm X’s life story shows how he was not hopeless of his barren field (his condition of sin and ignorance), and how he sought the moisture (the guidance) of Allah through repentance and learning. He also shows how he achieved khudi (selfhood) by developing his personality, potential, and identity as a Muslim and a human being. He also shows how he balanced between hope and fear in Allah, and how he always sought His forgiveness and mercy with humility and sincerity.

 

Another example of hope and forgiveness from Ashab i karam (the companions of Prophet Muhammad) is the case of Umar ibn al-Khattab, a famous caliph and leader of the Muslim community. Umar ibn al-Khattab was born in 584 CE in Mecca, Arabia. He belonged to a noble and wealthy clan of the Quraysh tribe. He was a strong and brave man who excelled in trade, poetry, and warfare. He was also a staunch opponent of Islam and Prophet Muhammad in his early life. He persecuted the Muslims and tried to stop the spread of Islam.

Umar ibn al-Khattab was converted to Islam in 616 CE after hearing his sister recite the Qur’an. He became one of the most loyal and influential companions of Prophet Muhammad. He migrated to Medina with him and participated in many battles and expeditions with him. He was known for his justice, wisdom, courage, generosity, and piety. He was appointed as the second caliph after the death of Abu Bakr in 634 CE.

Umar ibn al-Khattab ruled over a vast empire that stretched from Persia to Egypt. He established many reforms and policies that improved the lives of the people. He also expanded the Islamic territory through conquests and treaties. He was assassinated by a Persian slave in 644 CE while leading the morning prayer.

Umar ibn al-Khattab’s life story shows how he was not hopeless of his barren field (his condition of ignorance and enmity), and how he sought the moisture (the guidance) of Allah through repentance and faith. He also shows how he achieved khudi (selfhood) by developing his personality, potential, and identity as a caliph and a Muslim. He also shows how he balanced between hope and fear in Allah, and how he always sought His forgiveness and mercy with humility and sincerity.

 

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