Iqbal's Two Perfect Men (Mussolini and Napoleon) Truth and Exaggeration

Abstract

It is more crucial to explore the various dimensions of Allama Iqbal's thoughts than to dwell on general observations about his personality and ideas. Iqbal's philosophy of “Khudi” (selfhood) inspired the youth of the Indian subcontinent to shape their own destiny. However, the historical figures he idealized, such as Napoleon Bonaparte and Mussolini, appear to diverge from his conceptual archetype of the “Mard-e-Kamil” (the Perfect Man). Mussolini, whom Iqbal admired as a symbol of willpower, is historically recognized as a fascist leader responsible for grave violations of human rights. While Iqbal valued Mussolini's leadership and determination, he gave comparatively less attention to his fascist policies and the destruction they caused. Similarly, Napoleon Bonaparte, praised by Iqbal as an emblem of human will and a great leader, is historically regarded as an authoritarian ruler who undermined democratic principles by establishing his own empire.  The lives and actions of these figures highlight a disconnect from the spiritual and moral ideals underpinning Iqbal's concept of the “Mard-e-Kamil”. Iqbal’s poetic admiration for such figures underscores the complexity of his ideas and the contradictions inherent in historical personalities. In this context, the critique by Jon Elia is thought-provoking: how can a great poet extol characters with such inherent contradiction. While the profundity of Iqbal's thought and the magnificence of his poetic expression remain undisputed, the critique of his chosen exemplars opens a significant intellectual discourse.