Love for Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW, A Realistic Comparison of Allama Iqbal andٍ Shawqi’s Poetry

الشعر المديح عند إقبال وأحمد شوقي

Abstract

A number of renown muslim and non muslim writers have expressed their love for the Holy Prophet (SAW). Among these the prominent Egyptian poet and dramatist Ahmad Shawqi known as Amir –al- Shuara (leader of the poets) and Allama Dr Muhammad Iqbal are well known Muslim poets and scholars who paid rich tribute to Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW. This paper compared the feelings and love of both great thinkers in the same aspect. Shawqi, for example, elaborates characteristics of the Prophet (SAW) in such a gracious way that a reader feels as if no one like the Holy Prophet (SAW) in the universe has ever existed! He is very incomparable in expressing his love for the holy prophet. His poetry more philosophical and more realistic, touching the ground realities and filling it with the fragrances of love and affection for the Holy Prophet (SAW). To be more precise, a reader realize that his poetry is the unique expression of great love for the Prophet (PBUH) On the other hand, Allama Muhammad Iqbal has a very distinctive and innovative approach in his poetry on the same issue. He, for example, targets behavioral development and character building of youth through the love of the Holy Prophet (SAW) and Ahle Bait (family of Holy Prophet RA). Moreover, his poetry put the love for the Holy Prophet (SAW) as an obligatory part of humanity, principally of a Muslim one. The qualitative research techniques have been applied in the paper for comparison of both great scholar’s poetry, particularly that part which is related to the love for the Holy Prophet (SAW)- by one way or other.