Semester II: Iqbal and the Reconstruction of Modern Man
Our second programme in the Iqbal Series. This semester will be a six-week exploration of Muhammad Iqbal’s response to the spiritual, philosophical and civilisational crises of modernity. This semester moves beyond introductory themes and enters the deeper tensions within Iqbal’s thought: love and intellect, East and West, time and becoming, revelation and philosophy, tradition and modernity. Alongside close readings of Iqbal’s poetry and prose, students will engage comparative discussions with thinkers such as Martin Heidegger, Ali Shariati, Frantz Fanon and Abu Hamid al-Ghazali.
Please note: This semester and its content is independent from Semester I. Students can join even if they did not attend any previous courses.
| Pay for Course (£90 for the full course)
Schedule and Format
Virtual Classes will be held every Saturday at 6pm UK times starting 13th June 2026.
Each class will include interactive conversations between the teacher and students. All participants will be required to use audio and video during each class.
Recordings will be available for participants to review and watch later.
To confirm your spot, please register for the course with the link above, and then make the full-payment.
Who is it for?
Anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Muhammad Iqbal and his vision for Islamic revival, those who feel a need for personal awakening and a stronger sense of purpose in their faith Individuals looking to better understand the condition of the Muslim Ummah in the modern world Students, professionals, and thinkers interested in reconnecting faith with thought and action Those familiar with Iqbal, as well as complete beginners No prior knowledge of Urdu or Persian is required, all material will be taught and explained in English.
How will it be taught?
Six sessions, each lasting 2 hours, held weekly Delivered virtually by Zirrar Ali, the author of two translations of the poetry of Muhammad Iqbal. The sessions will allow participants to join from anywhere. Each session follows a structured format:
- Guided text engagement, group discussion break-out circles, focused concept exploration, personal reflection, and a closing summary
- Engagement with the works of Iqbal and other Islamic scholars Emphasis on both understanding and application
- Connecting Iqbal’s ideas to contemporary realities
- Digital reading materials and selected extracts provided in advance to support learning and reflection
What the course will cover?
Consisting of six classes, this course explores the central themes of Muhammad Iqbal in what he saw as the ‘Reconstruction’ of Modern Man. This semester will also introduce guided discussion circles, allowing participants to reflect collectively on the existential and spiritual questions raised throughout the course.
Class 1: Iqbal and the Crisis of Modernity
- Materialism, secularism and spiritual fragmentation
- Iqbal’s critique of modern civilisation
- Technology, power and the loss of transcendence
- The impact of European philosophy on Iqbal, inc. Nietzsche, Kant and Bergson
Class 2: Love (‘Ishq) and Intellect (‘Aql)
- Why Iqbal privileges love over pure rationalism
- Intuition, spiritual perception and creativity
- The role of passion in selfhood and transformation
- Readings from Bal-e-Jibril and Asrar-e-Khudi
Class 3: Time, Destiny and Becoming
- Iqbal’s philosophy of movement and creative unfolding
- Bergson, Islamic metaphysics and the dynamic universe
- Fate, freedom and the reconstruction of reality
- The rejection of passive existence
Class 4: East, West and Civilisational Identity
- Iqbal’s admiration and critique of Europe
- Colonialism, nationalism and Muslim decline
- Andalus, memory and the spiritual destiny of civilisation
- The future of the Ummah in a global age
Class 5: Iqbalian Philosophy in Conversation
- Iqbal and Ghazali on knowledge and certainty
- Iqbal and Heidegger on modern alienation
- Iqbal and Fanon on colonial psychology and liberation
- Iqbal and Ali Shariati on activism, martyrdom and reconstruction
Class 6: Rumi, the Perfect Human and the Future Muslim
- Why Rumi stands at the centre of Iqbal’s vision
- The Insan al-Kamil and spiritual maturity
- Education, beauty, courage and responsibility
- Final guided discussion: the human being Iqbal hoped to cultivate