Rumi’s Spiritual Legacy in Iqbal’s Philosophy and Poetics

Abstract

This paper explores the profound intellectual and spiritual relationship between Jalaluddin Rumi and Muhammad Iqbal. Iqbal, the national poet of Pakistan, considered Rumi his guide and teacher, or Pir-i-Rumi. However, their relationship goes beyond inspiration. Iqbal reinterprets Rumi as source of active revival of Islam in the modern world. Through themes like Khudi (selfhood), Ishq (divine love), time, movement, and the dialectic of spirit, Iqbal channels Rumi’s legacy into a distinctly modern metaphysical and political framework.