Allama Iqbal

Allama Iqbal’s date of birth has always been a contentious issue among scholars. Though the government of Pakistan had officially declared November 9, 1877 as Iqbal’s date of birth and the year 1977 was celebrated as Iqbal centennial year, some scholars have had their doubts and argued that it could not be said with absolute certainty that Iqbal was born on the official date.

A great many articles have been written, both in Urdu and English, elaborating the issue of Iqbal’s date of birth. Going through these articles and some books — notably Allama Iqbal Ki Tareekh-i-Vilaadat: Aik Mutal’a, compiled by Waheed Qureshi and Zahid Muneer Aamir (Bazm-i-Iqbal, Lahore, 1994) — there are some interesting facts which emerge. Firstly, during the last 100 years or so, scholars have mentioned different dates while discussing Iqbal’s life. Second, despite the official announcement, disagreement still exists on Iqbal’s correct date of birth.

Akber Hyderi Kashmiri, an Indian scholar, in his article published in Nuqoosh’s special issue on Iqbal (1977) listed contrasting years that different writers had mentioned as Iqbal’s birth year. These included: 1870, 1872, 1873, 1875, 1876 and 1877.

Muhammaduddin Fauq (1877-1945), editor of Kashmiri Magazine, was among the scholars who penned the earliest writings on Iqbal.