Muhammad Iqbal and Romanticism: The Mystic Nexus of East-West Critical Discourse inReligion, science, and Politics

Abstract

This study delves into the debate on the theme of romanticism within the scholarship of Iqbal, identifying it as a significantly divisive topic. It examines how Iqbal's particular engagement with romanticism distinctly shapes his contributions to the discourse on East-West interactions in religion, science, and politics. With an analytical approach, the research identifies some parallels between the motifs found in Western romantic poetry and those in Iqbal's works. However, it challenges the perspective that his entire philosophical journey is shaped by romanticism. This perspective commonly differentiates Iqbal’s romanticism from the Western romanticism of nature, categorizing it instead as a romanticism of political power linked to Pan-Islamic ideology. However, this study contends that in the Western context, romanticism is also shaped by mysticism. When considering the Islamic tradition, the impact of Sufism on Iqbal's thought is particularly pronounced, evident in the themes of intuitive inwardness and mathematical outwardness. This duality, combined with an awareness of the colonized context, fosters a unique synthesis in his approach to religion, science, and politics.