Afghan Psychological Perspectives in the Poetry of Muhammad Iqbal Lahori

Abstract

This study examines Afghan psychological concepts as reflected in the 
poetry of Muhammad Iqbal Lahori. The late Iqbal is widely recognized as a 
leading Eastern intellectual, literary figure, and political thinker. From a 
psychological standpoint, and in terms of intelligence quotient (IQ), 
eminent poets and writers such as Iqbal are generally classified among the 
highest category of gifted or genius individuals. The thought of such 
figures encompasses complex and far-reaching ideas that demand rigorous 
analysis and deep reflection across multiple domains of human experience 
and reality. The primary objective of this research is to identify, explicate, 
and critically analyze the manifestations of Afghan psychological 
perspectives in the poetry and intellectual outlook of the late Dr. Allama 
Muhammad Iqbal Lahori. The central research problem arises from the fact 
that the ideas of Eastern thinkers, intellectuals, and scholars have not been 
adequately or systematically studied. As a result, the rich treasury of their 
intellectual contributions has remained largely underexplored and, to a 
considerable extent, undisclosed. Within Iqbal’s poetry, alongside other 
salient dimensions, there are distinctive views and interpretations 
concerning Afghanistan and the Afghan people that call for comprehensive 
and multidimensional analysis. The psychological characteristics of 
Afghans—such as courage, self-awareness, leadership, unity, spirituality, 
and resilience—are reflected throughout his poetry. A careful analysis of 
these characteristics provides a deeper understanding and a more 
comprehensive explanation of the psychological perspectives and collective 
mindset of the Afghan nation.  This study adopts a library-based qualitative 
research design and employs a descriptive–analytical method. The findings 
indicate that Allama Iqbal (may Allah have mercy on him) held a special 
reverence for Afghanistan and the Afghan people and articulated a 
distinctive analytical and evaluative perspective on them. His reflections in 
this regard warrant detailed investigation and clarification. Overall, this 
thematic dimension of Iqbal’s thought is of considerable significance for the 
wider Muslim ummah and, in particular, for Afghans. It therefore merits 
thorough analysis, nuanced interpretation, and wide dissemination through 
scholarly publication.