Revisiting Iqbal’s Jâvidnâma as a Shared Space of Pilgrimage

Document Type : Short Article

Author

Research Associate, The International Center for Comparative Theology and Social Issues (CTSI), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany

Abstract

The practice of pilgrimage has been deeply ingrained in human cultures across the global. It has been prevalent in the Semitic traditions in forms of rituals, remembrance and sanctification. The phenomenon of embarking on an introspective exploration is frequently observed within the realms of Sufi and Shia discourses. Likewise, In Book of Eternity, namely Jâvidnâma, Mohammed Iqbal (1877-1938) records his metaphysical journey, as he explores different celestial realms such as the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Ultimately, he surpasses the limitations of these celestial spheres and achieves a state of closeness to the divine being. Within the framework of Muslim pilgrimage tradition, spiritual stations (aflâk/maqâmât) are perceived as domains of shared inhabitations, wherein the journeyer ultimately encounters the intersection of yearning, the individual who yearns, and the desired entity. It is worth noting that the individuals Iqbal encountered during his expedition were not exclusively chosen from the Abrahamic lineage of prophets. Therefore, approaching it from an inclusive perspective would facilitate the cultivation of a collective understanding of shared spaces in his pilgrimage. The objective of this paper is to revisit Iqbâl’s Jâvidnâma, using the provided framework.

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References

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Islam and the Contemporary World
Volume 1, Issue 2 - Serial Number 2
February 2024
Pages 43-51

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