Shikwa and Jawab-e-Shikwa by Allama Iqbal explain the rise and fall of Muslims through a powerful poetic dialogue with God.
Shikwa and Jawab-e-Shikwa by Allama Iqbal
Shikwa and Jawab-e-Shikwa are two iconic Urdu poems written by the great philosopher and poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal. These poems were later included in his famous collection Kulliat-e-Iqbal and are considered milestones in Urdu and Islamic thought.
The word "shikwa" means "complaint." First published in 1909, the poem reflects the sorrow and frustration of the Muslim Ummah. Iqbal boldly addresses God, questioning why Muslims suffer decline despite their glorious past and sacrifices. This direct and emotional style shocked many scholars of the time, who misunderstood the poem as being disrespectful and ungrateful.
The confusion ended in 1913 with the publication of Jawab-e-Shikwa. In this second poem, God responds to the complaints, explaining that Muslims themselves are responsible for their downfall due to moral decline, loss of faith, and disunity. This powerful reply completed Iqbal’s message.
Together, these poems form a meaningful dialogue that calls Muslims toward self-accountability, revival, and spiritual awakening, securing Iqbal’s lasting influence in Islamic literature.
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