Geographical Boundaries and Muslims: An Analytical and Critical Study

Abstract

"Geographical Boundaries and Muslims" was written by Allama Iqbal in response to Hussain Ahmad Madani’s theory of nationalism. Madani propagated that nations are formed on the basis of land. In reply, Iqbal withstands Madani’s idea of land- based nationalism and contends that nations are not created by land but by shared morality and religion. In this essay, Iqbal also critically examined the Western concept of nationalism, unmasking its inhumane and destructive aspects, and in contrast, he proposed the humanity-affirming and universal Islamic concept of Millat (the Muslim Ummah). On this foundation, Iqbal asserted the independent identity of Muslims in India, which ultimately led to the conception of a separate state based on the Two-Nation Theory. This article aims to conduct critical analysis of the background, context, significance, and key ideas of “Geographical Boundaries and Muslims.