We must stop crediting fake verses to the ‘Poet of the East’
Waseem Akhter Dar
Dr Sir Muhammad Iqbal, reverently known as Allama Iqbal and celebrated as the “Poet of the East”, occupies a towering position in the intellectual, philosophical, and literary history of the subcontinent. A philosopher, thinker, reformer, and visionary poet, Iqbal was not merely a composer of verses; he was a guide to self-realisation, dignity, and awakening for the Muslim world. Born on 9 November 1877, Iqbal’s poetry in Urdu and Persian ignited a spirit of selfhood (Khudi), faith, courage, and intellectual freedom. His verses were never ornamental; they were purposeful, revolutionary, and deeply rooted in Qur’anic wisdom, Islamic philosophy, and global humanism. Through works like Bang-e-Dara, Bal-e-Jibreel, Zarb-e-Kaleem, and Asrar-e-Khudi, Iqbal awakened a sleeping nation and offered a roadmap for moral and spiritual revival.
Unfortunately, in recent years, a serious literary injustice has gained ground. Many couplets and poems that Allama Iqbal never wrote are routinely attributed to him, sometimes due to ignorance, sometimes because of the shared pen-name Iqbal, and often because of careless circulation on social media. What is even more alarming is that students recite such verses in school functions, and in many cases teachers fail to correct them, unintentionally reinforcing falsehood. This not only distorts Iqbal’s intellectual legacy but also weakens academic honesty.
Several poets carried the name Iqbal, including Iqbal Azeem, Iqbal Safi Puri, Iqbal Ashhar, Iqbal Kaxurr, and many more. Their poetry, though valuable in its own right, is not Allama Iqbal’s work. Despite being repeatedly quoted under his name, these verses do not belong to him. Confusing them with his work is a serious scholarly error.
Correct attribution matters because:
It preserves the philosophical depth of Iqbal’s message.
It prevents misleading students and readers.
It does justice to both Allama Iqbal and the actual poets.
Allama Iqbal’s thought was unique, disciplined, and ideologically consistent. His poetry revolved around Khudi, Shaheen, Iman, action, and self-respect. Random romantic or pessimistic verses falsely linked to him damage the clarity of his vision.
It is the moral and academic duty of teachers, schools, media persons, and readers to ensure authenticity. Before quoting or reciting any verse under Iqbal’s name, one must verify its source. Literary respect begins with truth.
Honouring Iqbal does not mean attaching his name to every popular couplet; it means understanding, preserving, and transmitting his original message faithfully. As we remember the Poet of the East, let us also protect his legacy from distortion, for Iqbal does not need borrowed words to shine; his own light is eternal.
The writer is a librarian at the Department of School Education, Jammu & Kashmir
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