Allama Iqbal held a very high مقام (status) in knowledge and scholarship. He was justified in writing “Shikwa” (Complaint). He was Iqbal; this writer is merely “Bal” (a humble pen). He was an Allama (scholar), while this is an “Ulāma” (in Punjabi, someone who is complained about by everyone). Allama complained to God about the decline of the Muslim Ummah—that despite walking on God’s path and making sacrifices, the Muslim world kept growing weaker, while the West progressed and kept gaining power.

On the subject of Muslims and modern education, Allama Iqbal described the illness of the Ummah and its cure in a thought-provoking verse:

“In this era, education is the remedy for the ailments of the nation;
For impure blood, education is like a surgeon’s lancet.”

(In this era, education holds the status of medicine for the nation; it is the means by which wounds can be treated by removing corrupted blood.)

Allama Iqbal was the physician of the Ummah. He identified the pain in “Shikwa” and “Jawab-e-Shikwa”, and explained the remedy in the verse above. But what can this “Ulāma” do? He does not understand how to express his pain, and finding the cure is even more difficult. His troubles, difficulties, and worries continue to grow.

This scribbler “Ulāma” was doing alright, but after the Afghan Mujahideen defeated Russia, he began dreaming of conquering the whole world. He started dreaming of liberating Kashmir through jihad, freeing the first Qibla (Jerusalem), and hoisting the green crescent flag over Delhi’s Red Fort. Then he began imagining breaking India into several Muslim states; the Khalistan movement appealed to him.

Not stopping there, Saddam Hussein became his first hero, whom he chose to defeat America. Earlier, when Osama bin Laden carried out 9/11, this scribbler personally observed in a country like England that when planes struck the Twin Towers, an Arab restaurant owner shouted “Allahu Akbar,” emotionally claiming this act belonged to “us.” Osama bin Laden’s name surfaced days later, but Muslims had already begun claiming the event.

“Ulāma” felt that now America would surely be defeated—that those Mujahideen who had defeated Russia would now defeat America. Time passed, and it became evident that Osama bin Laden had not won but lost, and that 9/11 harmed rather than benefited the Muslim world. Yet the obsession of “Ulāma” did not subside.

Saddam Hussein was his hero. When a general, after thorough research, claimed that Iraq’s desert would become America’s graveyard, “Ulāma” felt that his confused jihadist desires would now be fulfilled through Saddam Hussein. But this wish also remained unfulfilled. Soon Saddam was overthrown, and America installed its own allies there.

Still, “Ulāma” did not lose hope. Within Pakistan, Taliban activities continued. He believed the “good Taliban” had good intentions—to establish an Islamic system and expel America from the region. Thus, he supported them and dreamed of change within the country and global victory over America, culminating in Mullah Omar’s global caliphate. He believed the revival of Islam would begin from this region.

Whenever a blast occurred in a five-star hotel, “Ulāma” would claim that American agents were actually present there. In short, he became their apologist, justifying all their actions and crimes. He believed both them and their intentions were “good.” But these Taliban turned out differently—they made a deal with America to gain power and began supporting attacks against Pakistan. Now “Ulāma” could no longer support them; this was another defeat in his eyes.

The liberation of Jerusalem and Palestine has always been his emotional cause. Yasser Arafat was once his hero, and he admired Leila Khaled. But when the two-state solution emerged and Hamas rose, he began disliking the now-peaceful PLO. When Hamas began striking Israel, his sympathies fully shifted to them.

In Lebanon, Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah had a strong and ideal network. “Ulāma” expected that Hamas and Hezbollah could silence Israel. Meanwhile, in Syria’s civil war, his Iranian hero Qasem Soleimani arrived, and with the help of Pakistani volunteers (Zainabiyoun and Fatemiyoun), turned the tide. Russia also helped.

But one day, news came that Qasem Soleimani had been killed. Then Bashar al-Assad lost in Syria—and with him, “Ulāma” felt defeated. Then Israel’s artificial intelligence units began devastating Hamas networks. Knowledge and technological superiority began overpowering passion and zeal.

Soon, Hassan Nasrallah was martyred. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed by a drone. Despite strong resistance in Gaza, defeat continued daily, and martyrdoms became endless. “Ulāma” became increasingly broken, yet his obsession did not fade.

Iran became the main symbol of resistance, so all hopes shifted toward it. He still believes Iran will crush America and change the world order. But this time, from the very first day, tragedy struck—top leaders including Ali Khamenei and military commanders were targeted immediately.

“Ulāma” was shocked—how were those shouting “Death to America” for forty years not prepared for even the first day of attack?

He still believes enemy weapons will fail, that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu will mysteriously fall ill and die. But there is fear that instead of weapons failing, the cunning Trump might destroy Iran completely.

These days, “Ulāma” prays day and night, crying out that he has lost every time—this time Iran must win, America must lose.

His wishes were not fulfilled by Qaddafi, Saddam, Bashar al-Assad, Hamas, Hezbollah, or Iraq. If Iran also fails, then what should he do? Search again for Osama? Wait for another Nasrallah? Or fall into despair? “Ulāma” is confused.

If “Ulāma” follows Allama’s advice—rather than trying to defeat or push back the West—he should learn knowledge, science, and technology. When Allama wrote Shikwa in 1909, most of the Muslim world was enslaved. Today, there are 57 independent Muslim countries.

Have they achieved anything in science and technology in half a century? Nothing at all.

Today’s world is the world of knowledge, science, and technology. Whoever does not possess these is “Ulāma,” and his thinking is the same. This mindset has always lost in the past—and will continue to lose in the future.