THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 'ALLÿMAH IQBÿL

Scope of this Biographical Sketch

Within the constraints of this commentary it is not possible to present an exhaustive discussion of the inherent and acquired qualities of ‘All«mah Iqb«l. Treatises and monographs exist on his life and works which fully deal with this subject. I shall restrict myself in this chapter to a summary of the conspectus of the events of his life and work in sufficient detail to provide the background necessary for understanding his message in B«ng-i-Dar« and other books which have been referred to in explaining this book. Before commencing this account I want to invite reference to the "Preface" in Urdu by ‘All«mah Iqb«l's friend, confidant and a fellow literary man, Sir ‘Abd al-Q«dir, in the Urdu version of B«ng-i-Dar«. It appears in English translation in Chapter 4. This preface deals with the literary activities of ‘All«mah Iqb«l up to 1924. In this chapter I shall fill in the blanks in the above preface and cover the period 1925-38 in adequate detail.