The Secrets of Selflessness

Rumuz-e-Bekhudi (Template:Lang-fa; or The Secrets of Selflessness; published in Persian, 1918) was the second philosophical poetry book of Allama Iqbal, a poet-philosopher of the Indian subcontinent. This is a sequel to his first book Asrar-e-Khudi اسرارِ خودی (The Secrets of the Self).

Introduction

Also in Persian and published in 1918, this group of poems has as its main themes the ideal community, Islamic ethical and social principles, and the relationship between the individual and society. Although he is true throughout to Islam, Iqbal recognizes also the positive analogous aspects of other religions. The Rumuz-i-Bekhudi (Secrets of Selflessness) complements the emphasis on the self in the Asrar-i-Khudi and the two collections are often put in the same volume under the title Asrar-o-Rumuz. A.J. Arberry's famous English translation of the Rumuz first appeared in 1953. Rumuz-i-Bekhudi is addressed to the world's Muslims. Iqbal sees the individual and his community as reflections of each other. The individual needs to be strengthened before he can be integrated into the community, whose development in turn depends on the preservation of the communal ego. It is through contact with others that an ego learns to accept the limitations of its own freedom and the meaning of love. Muslim communities must ensure order in life and must therefore preserve their communal tradition. It is in this context that Iqbal sees the vital role of women, who as mothers are directly responsible for inculcating values in their children.^[1]

Topics

Preface
Dedication to the Muslim Community
PRELUDE: Of the Bond between Individual and Community
That the Community is made up of the Mingling of Individuals, and owes the Perfecting of its Education to Prophethood
The Pillars of Islam - First Pillar: the Unity of God
That Despair, Grief and Fear are the Mother of Abominations, destroying Life; and that Belief in the Unity of God puts an end to those Foul Diseases.
Conversation of the Arrow and the Sword
Emperor Alamgir and the Tiger
Second Pillar : Apostleship
That the Purpose of Muhammad’s Mission was to found Freedom, Equality and Brotherhood among all mankind.
The story of Bu Ubaid and Jaban, in Illustration of Muslim Brotherhood
The Story of Sultan Murad and the Architect, in Illustration of Muslim Equality
Concerning Muslim Freedom and the Secret of the Tragedy of Kerbela
That since the Muhammadan Community is Founded upon Belief in One God and Apostleship, therefore it is not Bounded by Space
That the Country is not the Foundation of the Community
The season of the rose endures beyond
That the Organization of the Community is only Possible through Law, and that the Law of the Muhammadan Community is the Koran
That in Times of Decadence Strict Conformity is Better than Free Speculation
That the Maturity of Communal Life Derives from Following the Divine Law

That a Good Communal Character Derives from Discipline According to the Manners of the Prophet
That the Life of the Community Requires a Visible Focus, and that the Focus of the Islamic Community is Mecca’s Sacred House
That True Solidarity Consists in Adopting a Fixed Communal Objective, and that the Objective of the Muhammadan Community is the Preservation and Propagation of Unitarianism
That the Expansion of Communal Life Depends upon Controlling the Forces of World Order
That the Perfection of communal Life is Attained when the Community, like the Individual, Discovers the Sensation of Self; and that the Propagation and Perfecting of this Sensation can be Realized through Guarding the Communal Traditions
That the Continuance of the Species Derives from Motherhood; and that the Preservation and Honouring of Motherhood is the Foundation of Islam
That the Lady Fatima is the Perfect Pattern of Muslim Womanhood
Address to the Veiled Ladies of Islam.
Summary of the purport of the poem
In Exegesis of the Sura of Pure Faith: “Say: He is God, One”
“God, the Self-Subsistent”
“He Begat Not, Neither Was He Begotten”
“And There is Not Any Equal Unto Him”
The Author's Memorial to him who is a mercy to all living beings^[2]

Notes

^ "Iqbal's works". Iqbal Academy Pakistan.
^ "Rumuz-e-Bekhudi". Iqbal Academy Pakistan.

External links

Read Online

"Rumuz-e-Bekhudi". Iqbal Academy Pakistan.
"Rumuz-e-Bekhudi". Iqbal Cyber Library.
"The Mysteries of Selflessness, English translation of Rumuz-e-Bekhudi by AJ Arberry". Iqbal Academy Pakistan.
"Secrets and Mysteries, English translation of Asrar-o-Rumuz by RA Nicholson & AJ Arberry". Iqbal Cyber Library.

Related Websites

Social Media Pages

YouTube Channel

YouTube Channel of Allama Iqbal

[intro-1] "Iqbal's works". Iqbal Academy Pakistan.

[topics-2] "Rumuz-e-Bekhudi". Iqbal Academy Pakistan.

[1]

[2]

v t e Muhammad Iqbal
Family	Javed Iqbal (son) Nasira Iqbal (daughter-in-law) Yousuf Salahuddin (maternal grandson) Waleed Iqbal (paternal grandson)
Prose	The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam The Development of Metaphysics in Persia Ilm Al-Iqtisad
Poetry	Asrar-i-Khudi ("The Secrets of the Self") Rumuz-i-Bekhudi ("The Secrets of Selflessness") Payam-i-Mashriq ("Message from the East") Bang-i-Dara ("The Call Of The Marching Bell") Zabur-i-Ajam ("Persian Psalms") Javid Nama Bal-i-Jibril ("Gabriel's Wing") Zarb-i-Kalim ("The Rod of the Moses") Pas Chih Bayad Kard ("What Should Then Be Done O People of the East") Armaghan-i-Hijaz ("Gift from Hijaz") Sare Jahan se Accha Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua Shikwa and Jawab-e-Shikwa Iblees Ki Majlis-e-Shura
Ideas	Concept of Khudi Political philosophy Educational philosophy Madani–Iqbal debate Allahabad Address
Scholars	Annemarie Schimmel Arthur J. Arberry R. A. Nicholson Javid Iqbal Muhammad Munawwar more
Related topics	Bibliography Iqbal Academy Iqbal Day Iqbal Manzil Iqbal Review Pakistan Movement (Allahabad Address) Tomb Works

Introduction

Topics

Notes

See also

External links