Dr. Muhammad Akram Zaheer

Allama Iqbal and Karl Marx were two influential thinkers who shaped the course of history with their ideas. Although they lived in different times and contexts, their ideas have left a lasting impact on human thought.

Allama Iqbal, also known as Muhammad Iqbal, was a philosopher, poet, and politician from British India. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest Muslim philosophers of the 20th century. His ideas were heavily influenced by his Islamic faith, and he believed that Islam was not just a religion but a complete way of life.

One of Iqbal’s central ideas was the concept of the “Khudi.” He believed that human beings were not just physical bodies, but also possessed a spiritual dimension. According to Iqbal, the true purpose of human life was to achieve a higher level of consciousness by connecting with one’s spiritual Self. He believed that this could only be achieved through a deep understanding of Islam and the teachings of the Quran.

Iqbal was also deeply concerned with the decline of Muslim civilization and the rise of Western imperialism. He believed that Muslims had become complacent and lost their sense of identity and purpose. He argued that Islam needed to be revitalized and that Muslims needed to embrace their cultural heritage and reject Western cultural imperialism.

Karl Marx, on the other hand, was a German philosopher and economist who lived in the 19th century. He is best known for his theories on communism and his critique of capitalism. Marx believed that capitalism was inherently unjust and that it exploited workers for the benefit of the wealthy elite.

Marx’s central idea was the concept of class struggle. He believed that throughout history, society had been divided into two classes: the ruling class and the working class. The ruling class controlled the means of production and exploited the working class for their own gain. Marx argued that this exploitation would eventually lead to a revolution in which the working class would overthrow the ruling class and establish a communist society in which everyone would be equal.

Despite their differences, there are some similarities between the ideas of AllamaIqbal and Karl Marx. Both believed in the importance of the individual and the need for human beings to achieve a higher level of consciousness. They also both believed in the need for change and for society to reject the status quo.

However, there are also significant differences between their ideas. Iqbal’s ideas were heavily influenced by his Islamic faith and he believed that Islam was the solution to the problems facing Muslim society. Marx, on the other hand, was an atheist and believed that communism was the only solution to the problems of capitalism.

In conclusion, the ideas of AllamaIqbal and Karl Marx were influential in shaping the course of human history. Both believed in the importance of the individual and the need for change. However, their ideas were also shaped by their different cultural, religious, and historical contexts.