A Misreading of Islam

The renowned Urdu poet Muhammad Iqbal once stated:

‘The Azar (sculptors) of modern civilization has sculpted new idols.’

He continues in the next verse:

‘Among these modern gods, the greatest is the nation.’

‘Its robe is the shroud of religion.’

This verse does not reflect the teachings of Islam. In today’s world, nationhood is universally understood to be based on one’s homeland. In my view, this concept does not contradict Islamic principles. However, Muhammad Iqbal’s idea of nationhood was shaped by a historical perception of Islam that developed during the era of the Muslim Empire.

At that time, it was assumed that all Muslims belonged to a single global nation. But after the Second World War, that empire dissolved, giving rise to more than fifty independent Muslim-majority countries. In our current era, nationhood for Muslims must be defined by their respective homelands, not by a universal religious-political entity.

It is important to recognize that the Muslim Empire was a temporary phase of political unity—not an eternal or essential component of Islam. Treating that historical structure as a religious ideal is a fundamental mistake. (Diary, 12 December 2007)