| Conversations
with God
The culmination scene
from Javidnama; illustration by
Tabassum Khalid for Javidnama
Junior Edition published by Iqbal
Academy Pakistan
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As mentioned in 'Prayers
in the works of Iqbal’, it was customary in Muslim
literature to start a work of literature with praise of
the Almighty. Also common were those parables and anecdotes
where the Almighty spoke to blessed souls, sometimes including
the poet too. Just like prayers and hymns, this genre also
received a fresh treatment from the hands of Iqbal.
The culmination of
Javid Nama is just one
instance – but probably the greatest – of conversations
with God in the poetical works of Iqbal. Other prominent
examples include ‘The Answer of the Complaint’
(see Chapter 43 in A Novel of
Reality), ‘Solitude’ and ‘The
Dialogue between God and the Human Being’ (both from
The Message of the East,
published in 1923), ‘God’s Command’ (see
Chapter 86 in A Novel of Reality)
and ‘Fate’ (The Gift
of Hejaz, published posthumously in 1938). The
last of these is an adaptation from Ibne Arabi.
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Special
thanks to Iqbal Academy Pakistan
