Hundred Great Muslims

242 Hundred Great Muslims
him to the outside world. His recital of "Nala-i- Yateem" (Wails of an Orphan)
at an annual function of Anjuman-i-Himayat-i-lslam created a stir in literary
circles of Lahore and acclaimed him as a rising poet on the literary horizon of
the subcontinent whose brilliance, later, dazzled the eyes of people living in
distant countries and won for him an honourable place amongst the galaxy of
immortal poets of the world.
Iqbal later became a Reader in Philosophy in the Government College,
Lahore. In 1905, he went to Europe for higher studies. His three years stay in
Europe greatly contributed to the development of his thought. He joined the
lincoln's Inn for Bar. He was admitted as an advanced student of Philosophy
at the Cambridge University and wrote his thesis on the Development of
Metaphysics in Persia. The University of Munich (Germany) conferred on him
the degree of Ph.D. for this thesis. He was called to Bar in 1908. He returned
home in August, 1908. The same year he joined the Government College,
Lahore, as a part-time Professor of Philosophy and English literature. He was
allowed to practise Law. But, later, he resigned his Professorship and wholly
concentrated on Law.
Iqbal's stay in Europe enabled him to study Western learning and
civilisation closely and he formulated an outlook on life, modern as well as
ancient. Contrary to the westernised persons of the East, who are dazzled by the
glamour of Western civilization, he could see it in all its nakedness and instead of
being an admirer, became its critic. His study of Western nationalism totally
changed his views on the subject. Hitherto, he was a great exponent of Indian
nationalism. But now he became its opponent and an exponent of Internationalism
and Pan-Islarnism.
During his stay in Europe, Iqbal wrote some excellent romantic poems
in which he depicted romantic scenes giving in them imaginative touches which
brought him very close to the celebrated English poet Wordsworth. There is
a personal note in his treatment of Nature. Describing the advent of the Spring
he states:
"Arise! for on hills and dales
The Spring has arrived
Mad in singing are nightingales
Cuckoos, partridges and quails,
Along the banks of the brook
Have sprung roses and poppy,
Come out and see,
Arise! for on hills and dales
The spring has arrived".
(Translated by S. A. Vahid).
Like Wordsworth, Iqbal was a lover and worshipper of Nature in the
beginrndng.Hesays: