Iqbal’s Ethical Cosmos: Khudi, Justice, and the Divine Paradigm

Abstract

This study explores Allama Iqbal’s philosophical framework for a just society, emphasizing the central role of divine values, truth, justice, and bravery realized through the affirmation of Khudi (selfhood). The research seeks to answer as to how does Iqbal conceptualize a just society? What role does the individual's spiritual evolution play in societal justice? Employing a qualitative, hermeneutic analysis of Iqbal’s poetry and philosophical prose, the study interprets his metaphysical concepts to discover their socio-political implications. The analysis reveals that Iqbal situates justice not merely in institutional reforms but in individual moral and spiritual uplift. Through the metamorphosis of self-negation (Fana fillah) and the internalization of divine attributes, individuals transcend base instincts, contributing to collective moral uplift. The findings suggest that for Iqbal, a just society is the natural outcome of spiritually awakened individuals whose selfhood (Khudi) reflects divine proximity reflecting in the collective whole. The conclusion underscores Iqbal’s integration of metaphysics with social philosophy, proposing a model of justice rooted in inner ethical development.