Shikwah Jawab E Shikwah By Allama Muhammad Iqbal (Al Hasanat) Urdu

📖 Shikwah & Jawab-e-Shikwah – A Poetic Dialogue Between Faith and Destiny

Among the most iconic and soul-stirring works in Urdu literature, Shikwah (1909) and Jawab-e-Shikwah (1913) by Allama Muhammad Iqbal stand as monumental expressions of Muslim anguish, hope, and spiritual reckoning. These two poems—written in the form of a divine complaint and its celestial response—are not merely literary masterpieces. They are philosophical manifestos, emotional outcries, and calls to revival that continue to resonate across generations.

Published in a hardcover Urdu edition by Al Hasanat, this volume is a must-have for lovers of Iqbal’s poetry, educators, and those seeking to understand the spiritual and political awakening of South Asian Muslims.

🖋️ About the Poet: Allama Muhammad Iqbal

Iqbal (1877–1938), known as the Poet of the East, was not only a literary genius but also a philosopher, reformer, and visionary. His poetry blends:

Islamic spirituality

Philosophical depth

Political consciousness

Emotional intensity

Iqbal’s work laid the intellectual foundation for the Pakistan Movement and continues to inspire Muslims globally to reconnect with their spiritual roots and historical legacy.

📚 What’s Inside the Book?

This edition of Shikwah & Jawab-e-Shikwah includes:

The complete text of both poems in elegant Urdu script

Detailed commentary and explanation (tashreeh) for each stanza

Historical context of Iqbal’s writing

Glossary of key terms and references

Biographical notes on Iqbal’s life and thought

It’s ideal for both academic study and personal reflection.

🧭 Shikwah – The Complaint

In Shikwah, Iqbal adopts the voice of a devoted yet anguished Muslim who questions:

Why has Allah forsaken the ummah?

Why do Muslims suffer despite centuries of devotion?

Why does divine help seem absent in times of decline?

Iqbal’s poetic persona laments the fall of Islamic civilization, the loss of political power, and the spiritual stagnation of the community. He invokes the glory of the past—from Andalusia to Baghdad—and contrasts it with the humiliation of the present.

Famous couplet:

تھا جو مسجودِ ملائک، وہی آدم ہے کہ آج
اپنی حالت پہ ہے حیران، خدا کیسا ہے؟

(He who was once bowed to by angels, now stands bewildered—what has become of him, and where is God?)

Iqbal’s tone is bold, emotional, and unapologetically critical. Yet it is not despair—it is a wake-up call.

🌤️ Jawab-e-Shikwah – The Divine Response

In Jawab-e-Shikwah, Iqbal shifts perspective. Now, Allah responds to the complaint, not with anger but with clarity and truth. The divine voice reminds Muslims:

That Allah’s promises are not broken

That the ummah has strayed from the path

That revival requires sincerity, sacrifice, and action

Iqbal’s message is clear: Divine help is earned through faith, character, and unity. The poem is filled with Qur’anic allusions, spiritual wisdom, and motivational fire.

Famous couplet:

وہ زمانے میں معزز تھے مسلماں ہو کر
اور تم خوار ہوئے تارکِ قرآں ہو کر

(They were honored in the world because they were true Muslims; you are disgraced because you abandoned the Qur’an.)

This poem is a spiritual roadmap, urging Muslims to reclaim their identity through love of Allah, service to humanity, and revival of Islamic values.

🎨 Literary and Emotional Power

Iqbal’s poetic style in these works is:

Majestic and lyrical

Philosophical yet accessible

Emotionally charged and rhetorically powerful

He uses:

Metaphor and allegory to express complex ideas

Historical references to awaken pride and reflection

Qur’anic imagery to root his message in divine truth

These poems are ideal for:

Public recitation and mushairas

Classroom analysis

Spiritual reflection and journaling

Cultural revival campaigns

📐 Format and Presentation

The Al Hasanat hardcover edition is crafted for elegance and durability:

Premium binding with embossed Urdu title

High-quality paper and typesetting

Traditional layout with clear stanza separation

Estimated 150–200 pages

Dimensions: Approx. 22 x 14 cm

Weight: Approx. 300 g