Muslim Voices in Contemporary Literature

As much as I had appreciated this poem as I wrote my response before coming to class, Iqbal’s overall message of Islam as explained to me by Professor Asani was what really blew my mind away.

It all started with this quote/part of a song that Iqbal wrote, which goes:

“Beyond the stars are other worlds

There are still more tests of love

You are an eagle, flying is your occupation

There are yet other heavens before you.”

First of all, wow. That’s beautiful. Secondly, I think it really took me aback to finally wrap my head around the concept in this class that Islam. Is. Progress.

I had finally gotten it! The fact that I had to actualize realize this shows what an ignorant stupor I had been in, not only concerning Islam, but my prejudice of religion in general.

After nearly 13 years of strict Catholic schooling, I had trained my self to believe that all religions were backgrounds, and although they could be comforting at best, the were never the motivators for development, progress or technology.

However, Iqbal turned this thought upside down in my head when he explained that true Islam was not archaic practices oppressing individuals and society, but rather growing within oneself to become closer to oneness with God. Through this individual and ultimately, societal development, one would be able to lose one’s ego, and show the beauty and power of God with process and leadership of civilization. (“God asks you what is your desire” –Prof. Asani, I think).

Furthermore, not only is God concerned for you to fulfill your desires, but as a muslim, one has the responsibility to utilize one’s God-given potential, and develop it to the extent that one is a co-creator with God.

This relates to the Complaint and the Answer in that power, in the end, does not lie with the nation or state or even authority figures, but from individuals. This power from every person is what allows civilizations to empower themselves. After coming from France, Iqbal had been frustrated with the people complaining about their lack of power compared to the West, thinking that God should “reward” them for their faithfulness, when in reality, they were being less muslim than Christians or Hindus or atheists, by not practicing Islam (Islam, as Iqbal says, is progress.)

A quote that captures this from the poem:

“Infidels who live like Muslims surely merit faith’s reward”

Anyways, Iqbal totally changed the way I thought about Islam and religion in general. Although I chose to take this class because evidently, I find religion important and a vital aspect of the worldviews of many individuals, but I had always dismissed it as associated with backwardness and the antonym to progress.

I was proven otherwise.
(In a very refreshing way as well because the song that was played in class was great!)