Shikwa Jawab-e-Shikwa

Shikwa (Complaint) and Jawab-e-Shikwa (Response to the Complaint) are two iconic Urdu poems by Allama Muhammad Iqbal, published in his collection Bang-e-Dara (1924). Shikwa (1909) voices a poetic lament to Allah, questioning the Muslim ummah’s decline despite its historical devotion. Jawab-e-Shikwa (1913) presents Allah’s response, urging Muslims to revive their faith, selfhood (khudi), and action to reclaim their glory. Written in eloquent Urdu, these poems blend spiritual depth with socio-political critique, making them enduring masterpieces of Urdu literature and Islamic thought.