اِقبال اُمید کا شاعر (عہدِاقبال کے شعرا کے تناظر میں)

Abstract

This study argues that Allama Muhammad Iqbal (1877–1938) stands apart as the "Poet of Hope" within early 20th-century Urdu literature, an era otherwise dominated by themes of despair and pessimism. Through a comparative and analytical methodology, this research contrasts Iqbal's philosophical and poetic output with that of his prominent contemporaries, including Dagh Dehlvi, Seemab Akbarabadi, and Josh Malihabadi. The analysis demonstrates that where his peers often expressed futility and lamentation, Iqbal’s work consistently delivered a potent message of hope, selfhood (Khudi), and proactive struggle. This research examines key texts such as Shikwa, Jawab-e-Shikwa, and the poem Umeed from Zarb-e-Kaleem to deconstruct how Iqbal framed hope as an essential catalyst for individual and societal transformation. He considered hope essential for nation-building and survival. He redefined it not as passive wishing, but as an active force—an "elixir" for crafting destiny and empowering a demoralized community and nation. The paper concludes that Iqbal’s unique contribution was his strategic use of poetry to mobilize a psychologically defeated population. By replacing contemporary narratives of decline with a philosophy of aspiration and self-empowerment, he provided the critical ideological foundation for socio-political revival. His work, therefore, transcends its period, establishing a timeless, practical model for resilience and action. This research affirms that Iqbal’s enduring relevance lies in his singular ability to weaponize hope against despair.