IT is an admitted fact that action occupies a significant place in the sphere of human life. The process of development cannot be imagined without the concept of actions and efforts.

These characteristics of human being are actually the law of nature. Through the process of activity, Man has attained a distinguished position in the universe. He has always remained active to protect himself against the hostile forces of nature. It was because of persistent efforts and continuous exertion of energy that Man has overpowered all the creatures existing on earth. And now, it is only by dint of his endeavour that he has most successfully stepped into unlimited space and walked on the moon.

This vital topic of action appears to be the main theme of Allama Iqbal’s poetry. He is well aware of the importance of the working process. According to him, the true interpretation of life is that it looks as an exertion of energy, a quality of activity and a continued process of progress, development and improvement. He says:


This world because of action exists, It’s the established law of nature!


In his thought-provoking poetry, the Allama advocates a life of bodily and mental toil. Life, as he expresses it, is a perpetual motion, an exertion of energy and a continuous journey of man to new goals and splendid avenues. According to Iqbal, rest is ruinous as a whole, since it spells one’s concealed death. Only those on the move have made headway. Those who tarried awhile have been absolutely crushed. These philosophical thoughts have been nicely projected in the following lines:


Here on the path halt is improper,
As in rest remains concealed the death;
Only those on move have gone ahead,
And who tarried got to be trampled!


Allama Iqbal knows it well that this worldly life is sustainable only because of action. It is this very aspect of human beings that gives much glitter and glamour to the whole universe. Due to Man’s continued action and ceaseless efforts, all things are destined to be intact and workable on earth. The Allama interprets this very characteristic of human life in the following couplet:


From Khizir you should ask the secret of life,
Through ceaseless efforts all things exist here!


Through his Urdu and Persian poetry, Allama Iqbal has laid much emphasis on the spirit of struggle. According to him, it is because of this God-gifted character that Man has changed this darkened and deserted world into a bright one. It is he who has developed this barren earth with his toil and talent. Through his energetic deeds, Man has brought beauty, beading and betterment all across the globe. It is none but this superior figure on earth who has highlighted a sense of purpose about all existing things and whole creations of the universe. Allama Iqbal defines this originality of action and thought as the source of revolution and triumph. In Payam-i-Mashriq he says:


What’s the originality of thought and action?
An urge to revolution!
What’s the originality of thought and action?
A renaissance of national life!
It’s the source of life’s miracles,
Transforming granite into the purest of pearls!


While complaining to God that Man had been declared guilty due to disobeying the Divine Order, and thus thrown out of Paradise, Iqbal says that not a single creature came forward to get this world flourished and prospered but Man! It was he who cultivated the barren earth, ploughed the fields, erected buildings on desert-looking grounds, devoted pieces of land for growing flowers all around and gave a glimmering shape to his surroundings. All such factual events have been efficiently elaborated in the following verse:


Though I happen to be offender and homeless,
Yet I made this world flourished and prosperous,
Which act the angels didn’t do!


Thus, Iqbal intends to point out that it is because of action that Man has attained a position much superior to that of angels. It may be noted here that Maulana Altaf Hussain Hali has also touched this issue in his following verse:


It’s far better to become Man rather than angel,
But, it requires much labour and toil!


Iqbal also lays great stress on the human character. According to him, this enormous value could not be visualized without the concept of good life. Such category of life must be a symbol of activity, effort and struggle. It should be a forward assimilative movement that surmounts all difficulties that come in the way of its onward march. Such good life, as Iqbal says, is the centre of energy with its characteristics of tolerance for others and of belief not only in the existence of God on earth, but in the inherent dynamic forces of the spirit for bringing matter under control.

Through his poetic works, Iqbal has tried to convince people that the secret of actual bliss of life lies in action, i.e., work, labour, endeavour and toil. He thinks that this world and the hereafter are not the hereditary rights of any individual, but that their blessings are to be achieved merely by action. According to Iqbal, a person by his nature is destined to be neither saint nor sinner. By his own action, he creates Heaven or Hell:


Amal sey zindagi banti had, junnat bhi jahannum bhi,
Yeh khaki apni fitrat mein na noori hai na nari hai!


Iqbal precisely preaches Kasb-i-Halal, which means earning one’s living and having acquisition by honest and lawful process, and even through personal efforts and struggles. In this regard, he gives a symbolic advice through addressing the high-soaring bird:


Oh, high soaring bird!
Death is preferable to that livelihood,
Which shortens and slacks thy flight!


To sum up Iqbal’s philosophy of action, Man has to labour, toil and sweat continuously throughout his life. In this onward march, he is required not to stop awhile if he is desirous of the height he intends to reach. To pause is to perish. To be dullish is death. Only movement gives colour, charm and meaning to human life. While addressing God, the poet compares His activities with that of Man’s:


Thou didst create the night, I made the lamp;
Thou didst create the clay, I made the cup;
Thou didst make the deserts, forests, hills;
I made orchards, gardens and groves;
Am one who makes the mirror out of stone;
Out of poison the nectar I make!


(November 9 marks the 125th birth anniversary of Allama Iqbal)