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 the Indian subcontinent. This book deals mainly with the individual, while his second book Rumuz-i-Bekhudi discusses the interaction between individual and society.

Contents

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

  • 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

1Iqbal's works. Iqbal Academy Pakistan.
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