علامہ اقبال کے فکری تناظر میں روایتی اور جدید قانون سازی کا ارتقاء THE EVOLUTION OF TRADITIONAL AND MODERN LEGISLATION IN THE INTELLECTUAL PERSPECTIVE OF ALLAMA IQBAL Section Urdu Literature

Abstract

Law is the fundamental pillar of any society’s civilization, intellectual structure, and social order. History bears witness to the fact that the process of legislation has always been evolutionary, undergoing continuous changes over time. In every era, there has been a dialogue between traditional legal principles and modern intellectual and practical requirements, influencing the implementation, interpretation, and evolution of legal systems in light of societal progress and human needs.In the intellectual and scholarly history of the Indian subcontinent, one prominent figure who deeply contemplated law, Ijtihad, and modern civilizational demands is the philosopher, poet of the East, and thinker of Islam—Allama Muhammad Iqbal. Iqbal’s intellectual endeavors were not limited to Islamic philosophy or mysticism; rather, he had a profound impact on the practical life of Muslim societies, legal frameworks, and their reformation. While he acknowledged and appreciated the principles of traditional Islamic jurisprudence, he also believed that law could not be rendered static through rigid adherence to past interpretations. To him, legislation was a dynamic and evolving process that needed to consider changing circumstances, scientific advancements, and the awakening of human consciousness.Allama Iqbal, through his writings and lectures, extensively discussed the fundamental principles of Islamic law, the necessity of Ijtihad, and the need for modern legal reforms. In his famous lectures, particularly "The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam," he explicitly stated that the Islamic legal framework is not rigid but rather continuously evolving. According to Iqbal, the adaptation of traditional legislation to modern scientific and social developments is only possible through Ijtihad.Iqbal also critically examined Western legal systems and supported adopting elements that were not in contradiction with the spirit of Islam. He envisioned modern legislation as a process that should be rooted in Islamic principles while simultaneously aligning with the progress and contemporary demands of human societies. He regarded Islamic Sharia as a dynamic force capable of addressing human challenges in every era, provided its interpretation and application were guided by reason, Ijtihad, and scientific awareness.This article will critically analyze Allama Iqbal’s legal philosophy, exploring the significance of traditional and modern legislation in his thought, the applicability of his principles to contemporary legal systems, and how his ideas can be utilized to further refine and modernize the legislative processes in the Islamic world.