A Comparative Study of Diction, Style, and Thematic Concerns in the Poetry of Iqbal and Akbar Ilah Abadi

Abstract

This research article offers a critical comparative study of the poetic thought, language, and themes of Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Akbar Ilah Abadi within the socio-political context of the Indian subcontinent. Adopting a qualitative and analytical framework, this study employs textual analysis and comparative literary methodology to investigate the primary poetic texts of both authors. It explores their shared concerns regarding moral reform, intellectual awakening, cultural identity, and resistance to Westernization. While Iqbal presents a philosophical vision centered on selfhood and Muslim revival, Akbar Ilah Abadi employs satire to expose social hypocrisy and colonial mimicry. Through close reading, the study analyzes their diction, imagery, style, and thematic concerns, highlighting both differences in expression and convergence in reformist intent. The uniqueness of this research lies in its novel synthesis of two distinct literary modes—philosophical discourse and sharp satire—demonstrating how contrasting stylistic approaches can converge toward identical socio-political goals. Academically, this study bridges a critical gap in South Asian postcolonial literature by shifting the focus from isolated author studies to a dialogic exploration of anti-colonial resistance. It further evaluates their perspectives on religion, modernity, politics, and society, underscoring the continued relevance of their poetic discourse in contemporary intellectual debates.