AL ASHARI SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

 Here’s the English translation. I’ve cleaned up the repetitions in the original text for clarity:

*Allama Iqbal*

Dr. Iqbal’s ancestors migrated from Kashmir and settled in Sialkot. They were Sapru Brahmins who had converted to Islam about two hundred and fifty years ago. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal was the pride of this family. 

Dr. Iqbal’s father, Sheikh Noor Muhammad, was a very pious and God-fearing elder. He had a small business in Sialkot and was beloved by everyone in the city because of his righteousness and piety. He had two sons: Ata Muhammad and Muhammad Iqbal. This same Iqbal later came to be regarded as Asia’s greatest poet.

Iqbal was born in 1873 in Sialkot. Sheikh Noor Muhammad had his children educated in Urdu, Persian, and English. Sheikh Ata Muhammad, who was 14 years older than his younger brother, became an engineer, while Iqbal, after studying at the Mission School, entered college.

Among Sheikh Noor Muhammad’s friends was a renowned scholar named Maulvi Mir Hasan, who taught Arabic at the Mission School. His special quality as a teacher was that whatever he explained would become etched in the hearts of his students.

While still in school, Iqbal’s true talents began to shine. He turned his attention to poetry. He was extremely fond of Maulana Rumi. During that period, he began sending his poetry to Hazrat Dagh Dehlvi for correction. Through the mail, Hazrat Dagh would correct his verses and encourage him.

He achieved outstanding success in his primary, middle, and entrance examinations. When a college was established in Sialkot, he enrolled there. He studied Arabic and Persian under Maulvi Mir Hasan. Through hard work he became proficient in Arabic and Persian. 

After passing his F.A. examination in Sialkot, he went to Lahore to continue his education and was admitted to Government College. In Lahore, _mushairas_ were also held, where the famous poets of the time recited their poetry. Iqbal too began attending these gatherings and reciting his verses. Gradually, everyone’s eyes turned toward him.

At the age of 22, he recited a _ghazal_ at a _mushaira_ in Lahore. Mirza Arshad Gorgani, who was counted among the top poets of those days, was also present at that _mushaira_. 

At Government College there was a capable, faithful, and kind professor named Thomas Arnold, who treated Iqbal with great love and affection. Iqbal achieved notable success in Arabic and English, and was awarded two gold medals. In the examinations he secured first position and received a gold medal as a prize.

He was first appointed Professor of Philosophy at Oriental College and later at Government College. During his student days at college, his poetry had already created a sensation. In 1899, at a session of the Anjuman-e-Himayat-e-Islam, he recited his poem titled _“Yateem”_, a heartrending _nazm_. The listeners were deeply moved; tears flowed from the eyes of the audience. After that he wrote poems like _“Himalaya”_ and _“Hindustan Hamara”_, which were greatly liked throughout India.

His daily routine was such that he would wake up in the morning, offer prayers, and then recite the Qur’an aloud. After that he would exercise. When it was time for college, he would go without eating or drinking anything, and would eat only after returning in the afternoon. Generally, he ate only one meal a day. He did not drink tea in the morning, though sometimes at night he would have salty tea. Once, for two whole months, he would wake up at night to offer _Tahajjud_ prayers.

During that period, Professor Arnold resigned from his post and went to England. In 1905, Iqbal also left for Europe. After reaching Europe, he went to Cambridge University and then to Munich University in Germany, which awarded him a PhD degree. After returning from Germany, he passed the Bar-at-Law examination in London. 

At that time, Professor Arnold was a professor at the University of London. When he went on leave, Iqbal taught in his place for six months. In Europe, Iqbal saw a world that was completely new to him. In Western civilization he observed both virtues and vices. Their poetry sometimes dazzled the eyes, but when he examined it closely, he found it hollow within. It deeply pained his heart: if all humans are members of one family, then why is there so much disparity among them? How long will the lust for plunder continue? And should this be the purpose of human life as seen in Europe?

After returning from England, he wrote many poems in Urdu, but now his inclination had turned more toward Persian. For some time he even stopped writing poetry in Urdu altogether. But in the final years of his life, he again turned his attention to Urdu. 

He began writing poetry in Persian instead of Urdu for two reasons: first, Persian is a language very well-suited for poetry; and second, the tone of Iqbal’s poetry had now changed. He said, “I do not write poetry only for India, but for the Muslims of the entire world. There is no language other than Persian through which one can reach Muslims of other countries.”

Iqbal returned to India from England in 1908 and began teaching at Government College, where he received a salary of Rs. 500. He was also permitted to practice law.

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Note: Some details in the original text appear inaccurate or repetitive. For example, Iqbal was born in 1877, not 1873. Dagh Dehlvi passed away in 1905, so Iqbal’s correspondence with him was early in his career. I’ve translated the text as given while smoothing out repeated lines.

Want me to do a cleaner biography of Iqbal without the repetitions and errors?