How well can Iqbal shikwa and Jawab-e-shikwa depict the current conditions and follies of muslims?
- Musleh Saadi
- Sep 23
- 4 min read
Shikwa is in the form of a complaint to Allah for having let down Muslims and Jawab-e-Shikwa is in the form of God's reply. The central idea of the poem Shikwa is that God is not fulfilling his promise to protect followers of the Prophet from loss and a decline in fortune. The main theme of Shikwa is Iqbal’s complaint to God about the downfall of Muslims and the oppression faced by them. Many Muslims accused Shikwa of being disrespectful, especially due to the use of words like harjaee (‘disloyal’) for God.
Basically in Shikwa and Jawab-e-shikwa a great conversation between the God (Allah Almighty) and the human , In the glorious world (Shikwa), man mentions the frustrations of his life, complains and looks somewhat disappointed. At the same time, he complains about himself.
(Shikwa)
Why should I play the part of the loser and refrain from seeking what I can gain? Why shouldn’t I think of the future, instead of mourning the losses of the past? Why should I listen to the woes of the nightingale? Why should I listen to the woes of the nightingale with such interest? My Friend, I am not a flower who will remain silent Courage! I have the courage to speak up Unfortunately, I have a grievance with my creator It’s true that we are known for being dutiful We only tell this tale of woe because we have a predicament Though we remain quiet, We have grievances to share If a complaint reaches our lips, We are unable not to express it O God a complaint O God listen to the complaint of these loyal mortals A small complaint from your devotee Before us, this world of yours looked different People worshiped trees and stones Man’s perception was limited to only what he could see Then how could anyone believe in an unseen God? God! Was there anyone who would recite your name It was the strength of Muslim that did your work! Intellect is your shield and devotion is your sword My devotee O devotee, Leading mankind is your responsibility Other than Allah, fire is your If you are a Muslim, repentance Your foresight is your destiny Other than Allah, Fire is your repentance Allah is great! And listen If you remain devoted to Muhammad (Peace be upon him) Then we are yours This world is but nothing You’re a writer of destin ies…
Then the God reply in (Jawab-e-shikwa)
And so He spoke Who are you addressing and what are you saying? What is your wish? What is your agenda? Why are you beating your head and crying? We have promised that we will give Come, come here, then ask, and ask again Who eliminated the infidels from this world? Who freed mankind from slavery? My Ka’aba Who populated my Ka’aba with believers? Who held the Quran close to their heart? O Yes! They were your ancestors They were your ancestors but who are you? Were they?… Yes they were! They were your ancestors but who are you? You sit here waiting for deliverance Listen! Life! Who gave life to Alexander (the great)? Who gave from the hands of Hatim (the generous)? What were you thinking when you turned to leave? We had promised to give Who told you to leave empty handed? Come towards me, Come towards me Even if you only love yourself – come to me Even if you are an infidel, an egotist, a worshiper of idols – come to me This is my court, don’t be disillusioned Even if you’ve gone back from penance a hundred times – still come Now listen!
Iqbal describes the plight of Muslims in the Jawab-e-shikwa, saying, "Look at your condition. Look at your past, look at your father and grandfather today, what were you Take care of your condition, that why and how did you get to this situation, why do you make noise your hard-work and make less stealing your adult. You cannot distinguish between friend and enemy. Made the friend the enemy and the enemy the friend. At the time of acquiring knowledge, luxury began The light of time began and he forgot his God(Allah Almighty) and started (fake worshiping idols. Fear Allah alone and worship ( prayer for Allah, believe and ask for Allah). It’s still time to get up and make hard-working is your adult. Don’t be dependent, be independent, (To a large extent, the concept of Allama Iqbal's (Khudi) means selfhood as in both individuation and wholeness. It requires purposeful action and the strengthening of the self even as it expands the value of human existence by elevating it closer to the divine.) through these something Iqbal depict the condition and follies of Muslims and give to the Motivation for hard-working and selfhood.
Amazing
Awesome 👍
Good jb 👍