Sheikh Mohammad Iqbal

Early years

Iqbal was born at Sialkot, Punjab (now in Pakistan). His parents used to go to the British Resident's Office to Srinagar for arranging civil supplies. He was 15 days old when his mother died at the age of 28 years during an epidemic. He (along with his elder brother) was taken immediately to Srinagar and brought up by his maternal grandmother who managed his early education. He studied at Tyndale Biscoe School in Habba Kadal for basic education.

Education and career

Iqbal graduated with Honours in Arabic from the University of Punjab, Lahore, in 1946. He did his master's degree in History and Political Science and LL.B. in 1949 at the Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. He joined the School of International Studies, Sapru House, New Delhi in 1956, for a course of Ph. D, taking up "Political Development in Najd and Hejaz, 1901-1934" as the subject of his research. He was qualified for the award of Doctor of Philosophy in July, 1963. His fields of specialisation are Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, early Islamic History, and Arab-Islamic Issues of the 20th Century and after.

Iqbal taught and lectured in American Universities as a Visiting Asian Professor and Fulbright-Hays Senior Scholar. With assignments of teaching and addressing public audiences, he created deep impression among the faculty members and the Post-Graduate classes at the American institutions of higher learning. He attended the Third Islamic Summit Conference of Islamic States at Makkah/Ta'if. He was a visiting scholar to King Abdulaziz University and participated in numerous International Conferences and Seminars. He visited the Middle-Eastern countries; Saudi Arabia and Egypt since 1958 in connection with his research.

Iqbal's contributions in upgrading Education in Kashmir drew admiration but while serving his mission he did not wait for any award or reward. Instead, he had to proceed on voluntary retirement in a atmosphere of ungratefulness. As the Director of the Department of Libraries, Research, Museums and Archives, his contributions in reorganising the department are extraordinary. He left "no stone unturned in giving name and fame to the Museum movement by submitting notes proposal to the government for its recognition of Museums."

Iqbal has written on a wide range of subjects including Islamic History, British history, American History, political and social history of the Middle-East and Indian subcontinent, issues concerning the Muslim Ummah, the issue of Jammu & Kashmir, among others. His work and contribution has been richly commented upon by eminent scholars and statesmen of the East and West. His two publications, Memoirs and Selected Correspondence reveal his multi-dimensional administrative duties, personal exchanges, the range of relations, and, his yearning for a reformed and a confederal Islamic system free from issues, whether imported or created.

Publications

1. History of India, Urdu (1955) (سرتاج تاریخِ ہندوستان).
2. Medieval and Modern History of England (1956).
3. Under the Shade of Islam, Urdu (1958) (اسلام کے ساۓ میں).
4. The Arab Glory, The Arab Grief (1976).
5. The Mission of Islam (1977).
6. Emergence of Saudi Arabia (1977).
7. Realms of Peace (1979).
8. Aggression on Ka'bah (1980).
9. Saudi Arabia: Era of Reconstruction 1961-1981 (1981).
10. Saudi Arabia: Landmarks in Islamic Solidarity (1981).
11. Saudi Arabia: Epitome of History and Progress (1982).
12. Ideals of Islam and Other Essays (1982). (Co-authored with Sheikh Talal).
13. Saudi Arabia: Founding and Development (1986).
14. Sheikh Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahhab (1988).
15. History of Islam & Muslims: Life and the Mission of Muhammad (pbuh) (Vol. I) (1992).
16. History of Islam & Muslims: Caliph Abu Bakr (rdh) (Vol. II) (1992).
17. History of Islam & Muslims: Caliph Umar Faruq (rdh) (Vol.III) (1992).
18. History of Islam & Muslims: Caliph Uthman bin 'Affan (rdh) (Vol. IV) (1994).
19. History of Islam & Muslims: Caliph Ali bin Abi Talib (rdh) (Vol. V) (1997).
20. Islamic Toleration and Justice (1998).
21. The Builder of Modern Saudi Arabia (1998).
22. Focus: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Excerpts from the Books of Sheikh Mohammad Iqbal (2000).
23. Presidents Lincoln & Wilson: Legacies and Lessons (2000).
24. Palestine Re-Emerging (2002).
25. The Dimensions of Hajj: Significance & Performance (2003).
26. Emeralds in the Crown of Islam (2006).
27. Memoirs of a Life with a Mission (Autobiography) (2006).
28. Ingenious, Ingenuous Jinnah and Pakistan Movement (2009).
29. Kashmir Problem: Disasters of Delayed Settlement (2009).
30. Humanity's Cry For Justice and Salvation (2009).
31. Selected Correspondence of Dr Sheikh Mohammad Iqbal (Vol I) (2010).
32. Realms of Saudi Statesmanship (2011).
33. Selected Correspondence of Dr Sheikh Mohammad Iqbal (Vol II) (2012).
34. Selected Correspondence of Dr Sheikh Mohammad Iqbal (Vol III)
35. Rediscovering Factual History (2013).
36. Islam and Christianity in Balance (General History of Relations): Dialogue for an Understanding (2017).

Booklets

1. The United Nations As I Found It (1973).
2. Educational System in Saudi Arabia (1983).
3. Saudi Arabia: Feats of Development Planning (1985).
4. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Progress and Consultative System (1994).
5. Human Rights and Government in Saudi Arabia (1995).
6. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Issue of Palestine (2001).
7. Wahhabi Islam: A Misnomer (2005).
8. Focus: The Hajj of 1430 AH and the Kingdom's Efficacious Nizam (2010).

Editor-cum-Authorship

1. Fruits of Conversion to Islam (1974).
2. The Voice of Islam (1974).
3. Faisal: Ideas and Achievements (1974).
4. J&K Research Biannual (2 Issues; 1977).
5. The Culture of Kashmir (1978).
6. Indo-Arab Star Series (7 Issues, 1979–80).
7. Contemporary Gulf (1980).
8. Monthly Al-Hayat (2002–present).
9. Insight Islamicus (2004).
10. Monthly Crescent (2009-2012).
11. Hajj Performance and Saudi Arabia (Compilation).

Comments on Works