Women Rights in Perview of Iqbal’s Islamic Philosophy and Western Feminism

Abstract

Dr Illama Muhammad Iqbal being a Sufi and national poet wrote about various ideologies, characteristics and human rights particularly focusing women rights. As a major part of his research and poetry is based on Islamic philosophy and seems inspired by different Sufis like Mansoor, Room I etc. His novel work of deriving analogies keeping in view the Islamic concepts and traditions unlike orthodox view. He was of the opinion that Islam is a universal and long-lasting religion so must fulfil current needs etc. To comply the existing requirements.While narrating the female/women rights he emphasized upon women rights much more than discussed ever before his era. As the condition of women in that age was pathetic, suppressed, subjugated and deprived. Those who favoured feminist movement criticised Islam as discriminatory religion showing partiality towards females. In such environment Iqbal depicted the clear picture of Islam and highlighted role, importance and rights of woman in Islam. Particularly in Zarb-i-kaleem, Javed Nama and Ramooz-i-bekhudi he focused such issues. He critically analysed the western concept and considered it in vogue. He never denied rights of females but demarcated her rights from that of males in Islamic perspective. This work is an endeavour to discuss rights and role of a Muslim women as per Iqbal's philosophy who was also in favour of liberty and equality but in prescribed parameters.