Individuality of Man: Iqbal’s “Mard-e-Momin” and Kierkegaard’s “Knight of Faith”

Abstract

Muhammad Iqbal and Søren Kierkegaard, two existential philosophers and influential thinkers from the Islamic and Judeo-Christian traditions respectively, had challenged the dominant philosophical views of their times that emphasized the absolute authority of human reason. The article focuses on their perspectives on individuality, challenging the traditional reliance on "pure reason" in the exploration of the world, the Divine, and the interconnection between God, humanity, and the cosmos. Iqbal, a South Asian Muslim poet-philosopher, and Kierkegaard, the founder of existentialism, both emphasized the importance of subjective experiences and personal understanding in comprehending reality. They presented a similar three-stage model of existential development: the aesthetic, the ethical, and the religious stages for Kierkegaard and faith, thought, and discovery for Iqbal. They argued that reason alone is insufficient for understanding God or verifying religious truths and proposed a practical methodology for individuals to internalize truth, thereby enabling them to live in accordance with it. Kierkegaard's "Knight of Faith" and Iqbal's "Mard-i-Momin" represent individuals on a spiritual journey. The Knight of Faith takes a leap beyond rational thought into absolute faith, while the Mard-i-Momin balances divine laws with free will. Both concepts highlight the transcendence of rational thought for a personal, subjective relationship with the divine. This paper aims to highlight the confluence in the thought of Muhammad Iqbal and Soren Kierkegaard, particularly in their concept of the individuality of man. An attempt has also been made to identify any areas where they might diverge in their philosophical framework.