The Secrets of the Self

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Asrar-i-Khudi (Urdu: اسرار خودی; or The Secrets of the Self; published in Persian, 1915) was the first philosophical poetry book of Allama Iqbal, the great poet-philosopher of Indian Subcontinent. This books deals mainly with the individual, while his second book Rumuz-i-Bekhudi discusses the interaction between individual and society.

1 Introduction
2 Topics
3 Notes
4 External links

[edit] Introduction

Published in 1915, Asrar-i-Khudi (Secrets of the Self) was the first poetry book of Iqbal. Considered by many to be Iqbal's best book of poetry, it is concerned with the philosophy of religion. In a letter to the poet Girani, Iqbal wrote that the ideas behind the verses had never been expressed before either in the East or in the West. R.A. Nicholson, who translated the Asrar as The Secrets of the Self, says it caught the attention of young Indian Muslims as soon as it was printed. Iqbal wrote this in Persian because he felt the language was well-suited for the expression of these ideas.

In Asrar, Iqbal has explained his philosophy of "Self". He proves by various means that the whole universe obeys the will of the "Self". Iqbal condemns self-destruction. For him the aim of life is self-realization and self-knowledge. He charts the stages through which the "Self" has to pass before finally arriving at its point of perfection, enabling the knower of the "Self" to become the vicegerent of Allah on earth. Iqbal believes the answers to essential questions regarding the ego are important in determining morality for both the society and the individual ¹

[edit] Topics

Introduction
Prologue
Showing that the system of the universe originates in the Self, and that the continuation of the life of all individuals dependents on strengthening the Self
Showing that the life of the Self comes from forming desires and bringing them to birth
Showing that the Self is strengthened by Love
Showing that the Self is weakened by asking
Showing that when the Sell is strengthened by Love its gains dominion over the outward and inward forces of the universe
A tale of which the moral is that negation of the Self is a doctrine invented by the subject races of mankind in order that by this means they may sap and weaken the character of their roles
To the effect that Plato, whose thought has deeply influenced the mysticism and literature of Islam, followed the sheep's doctrine, and that we must be on our guard against his theories
Concerning the true nature of poetry and the reform of Islamic literature

Showing that the education of the self has three stages : Obedience, Self-control, and Divine Vicegerence
Setting forth the inner meanings of the names of Ali
Story of a young man of Merv who came to the saint Ali Hujwiri - God have many on him and complained that he was oppressed by the enemies
Story of the bird that was faint with thirst
Story of the diamond and the coal
Story of the Sheikh and the Brahmin, followed by a conversation between Ganges and Himalayas to the effect that the continuation of social life depends on firm attachment to the characteristic traditions of the community
Showing that the purpose of the Muslims 's like is to exalt the Word of Allah, and that the Jihad (wars against unbelievers), if it be prompted by land-hunger, is unlawful in the religion of Islam
Precepts written for the Muslimss of India by Mir Naj«t Nakshbandi. Who is generally known as Baba Sahr'ai
Time is a sword
An invocation ²

[edit] Notes

¹Iqbal's works. Iqbal Academy Pakistan.

²Asrar-i-Khudi, translated by RA Nicholson. Iqbal Academy Pakistan.

[edit] External links

Read online

Asrar-i-Khudi. Iqbal Academy Pakistan.
Asrar-i-Khudi. Iqbal Cyber Library.
The Secrets of the Self, English translation of Asrar-i-Khudi by Reynod Nicholson. Iqbal Academy Pakistan.

Iqbal Academy Pakistan

Homepage. Iqbal Academy Pakistan.

Muhammad Iqbal
Poetry:	Asrar-i-Khudi (Secrets of the Self) - Rumuz-i-Bekhudi (Secrets of Selflessness) - Payam-i-Mashriq (Message from the East) - Bang-i-Dara (Call Of The Marching Bell) - Zabur-i-Ajam (Persian Psalms) - Javid Nama - Bal-i-Jibril (Gabriel's Wing) - Zarb-i-Kalim (Rod of the Moses) - Pas Chih Bayad Kard (What should then be done O people of the East) - Armaghan-i-Hijaz (Gift from Hijaz)
Prose:	The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam - The Development of Metaphysics in Persia - Ilm Al-Iqtisad
Scholars:	Annemarie Schimmel - Arthur J. Arberry - RA Nicholson - Yousaf Saleem Chishti - Javid Iqbal - Muhammad Munawwar - Suheyl Umar - more ...
See also:	Iqbal bibliography - Iqbal terms - Iqbal scholars - Iqbal Academy - Iqbal Cyber Library \| Timeline of Muhammad Iqbal's life