The Secrets of the Self, by Muhammad Iqbal, tr. by Reynold A. Nicholson, [1920]
| | | PAGE |
| | Introduction | vii |
| | Prologue | 1 |
| I. | Showing that the system of the universe originates in the Self, and that the continuation of the life of all individuals depends on strengthening the Self | 16 |
| II. | Showing that the life of the Self comes from forming desires and bringing them to birth | 23 |
| III. | Showing that the Self is strengthened by Love | 28 |
| IV. | Showing that the Self is weakened by asking | 38 |
| V. | Showing that when the Self is strengthened by Love it gains dominion over the outward and inward forces of the universe | 43 |
| VI. | A tale of which the moral is that negation of the Self is a doctrine invented by the subject races of mankind in order that by this means they may sap and weaken the character of their rulers | 48 |
| VII. | To the effect that Plato, whose thought has deeply influenced the mysticism and literature of Islam, followed the sheep's | |
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| | doctrine, and that we must be on our guard against his theories | 56 |
| VIII. | Concerning the true nature of poetry and the reform of Islamic literature | 60 |
| IX. | Showing that the education of the Self has three stages: Obedience, Self- control, and Divine Vicegerency | 72 |
| X. | Setting forth the inner meanings of the names of Ali | 85 |
| XI. | Story of a young man of Merv who came to the saint Ali Hujwírí—God have mercy on him!—and complained that he was oppressed by his enemies | 95 |
| XII. | Story of the bird that was faint with thirst | 100 |
| XIII. | Story of the diamond and the coal | 104 |
| XIV. | Story of the Sheikh and the Brahmin, followed by a conversation between Ganges and Himalaya to the effect that the continuation of social life depends on firm attachment to the characteristic traditions of the community | 108 |
| XV. | Showing that the purpose of the Moslem's life is to exalt the Word of Allah, and that the Jihád (war against unbelievers), if it be prompted by land-hunger, is unlawful in the religion of Islam | 116 |
| XVI. | Precepts written for the Moslems of India by Mír Naját Nakshband, who is generally known as Bábá Sahrá’í | 122 |
| XVII. | Time is a sword | 134 |
| XVIII. | An invocation | 141 |