Philosophy Of Resistance Interpreting Contemporary Military Operations Through Iqbal's Vision

Abstract

Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, a prominent 20th-century Islamic scholar, is utilized in this research to examine modern armed resistance. In regions such as Kashmir, Palestine, and Afghanistan, resistance encompasses social, political, and religious dimensions alongside traditional military actions. Indigenous frameworks often frame standing up to oppression as a moral and religious duty, whereas contemporary Western military literature typically discusses it as a struggle against extremists or insurgents. Iqbal argues that when ethics and strategy are integrated, following Khudi (selfhood), symbolized by the eagle (Shaheen), enables individuals to break free from tyranny while progressing toward self-realization. Methods such as Ijtihad (independent reasoning) and Faqr (spiritual poverty) allow people to discover local, flexible modes of resistance grounded in moral and spiritual principles. Methodologically, the study adopts a quantitative cross-sectional research design, using structured questionnaires administered to 328 participants, including military personnel, resistance-affiliated individuals, and academic scholars from Pakistan, Kashmir, and Afghanistan. Statistical techniques such as descriptive analysis, correlation, and regression modeling are employed to examine the relationship between engagement with Iqbal’s philosophy and strategic moral decision-making. Recognizing that understanding Iqbal’s perspectives on culture and morality is essential, this study addresses a critical gap in literature by applying Iqbal’s vision to contemporary conflicts. This research contributes to the emerging discourse on resistance ethics, incorporating Iqbal’s philosophy to decolonize strategic studies and offer fresh insights for strategists, policymakers, and scholars engaged in asymmetric warfare and liberation movements.