Political freedom: an Islamic ideal

Greek lithograph celebrating the Young Turk revolt in 1908
and the re-introduction of a constitutional regime in the Ottoman Empire

This is the final part of Iqbal's paper 'Political Thought in Islam' (1908). Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 were presented earlier.

In modern times - thanks to the influence of Western political ideas – Muslim countries have exhibited signs of political life. England has vitalised Egypt; Persia has received a constitution from the Shah, and the Young Turkish Party too have been struggling, scheming and plotting to achieve their object. But it is absolutely necessary for these political reformers to make a thorough study of Islamic constitutional principles, and not to shock the naturally suspicious conservatism of their people by appearing as prophets of a new culture. They would certainly impress them more if they could show that their seemingly borrowed ideal of political freedom is really the ideal of Islam, and is as such the rightful demand of free Muslim conscience.