Seven Stages of Self Development

A Prayer and Two Preludes (Javed Nama)

Iqbal declares that this book is for the younger readers and especially not for those who belong to the old school, since it describes a world as yet unknown. He prays to God that the book becomes easier for the youth to understand.

In a flashback, we see the beginning of the world. The sky taunts the earth for being lightless, and the earth complains to God. A voice from across the skies answers it that from its clay would be created the human being whose light would outshine the stars of heaven. Angels sing a song about the impending glory of the human being.
In his own time, Iqbal is yearning for immortality. The spirit of Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi appears before him and says, “You should seek three witnesses on your existence. The first witness is you, yourself. The second is the consciousness of the other – to behold oneself through the other. The third witness is the light of God. If you can sustain yourself in the presence of God, then you can count yourself amongst the immortals.”
Zurvan, the angel of Time and Space, appears to reveal the mysteries of Miraj (the ascension of the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him). The world of Iqbal dies for him and he opens his eyes in a new world, where the stars are singing a song to welcome him above.

you can read chapters from the abridged edition
at the Republic of Rumi Website:(a) Prayer; (b) Prologue

SELF-DEVELOPMENT THROUGH IQBAL

Here I shall explain self-development as I perceive it from the passage given above.

First step in self-development would be to Start making efforts to develop your SELF at a very early age.

Second Step is to never rely on what you learn only from “what belongs to the old school, and try to discover a world as yet unknown.”

Third step = think of yourself as SOMEONE “whose light would outshine the stars of heaven. And Angels would sing a song about the impending glory of you.” Take aide  from Characters like Khalid Bin Walid (R.A)

Fourth step could be to try to live an “immortal” life .i.e to live a life that is worth appreciation for Centuries. Like Allama Iqbal and many others.

Fifth step. Yes now you need a witness. “You should seek three witnesses on your existence. The first witness is you, yourself.(stay firm). The second is the consciousness of the other – to behold oneself through the other(win hearts). The third witness is the light of God (win HIM). If you can sustain yourself in the presence of God, then you can count yourself amongst the immortals.”

Sixth step.  It is difficult !!! but it is possible . TO BREAK THE CHAINS OF TIME AND SPACE …..

Now how to do that. How to break This qayd e zamaan o makaan ?

Learn from Prophet (S.A.W)

Learn to pray five times a day properly. Namaz is the real tool which can teach us how to break this qaid e zamaan o makaan. NO Wonder that Prophet Muhammad (SAAW) was gifted with Namaz on completion of his ascension till ALMIGHTY.

We do not value this tool but nothing else is more beneficial than praying five times a day for real self-development. And this is only possible with the help of ZEAL OF LOVE FOR AL MIGHTY. When one cuts off him self form this world and stand right in front of God to have a word with him.
When people cannot disturb!
 satan cannot corrupt!
and even angles cannot interrupt!

یا اللہ ہماری نماز کو ہمارا تصوّف ، ہمارا مراقبہ، ہماری معراج بنا دے ۔ آمین 

! 

شوق ترا اگر نہ ہو ميري نماز کا امام

ميرا قيام بھي حجاب ، ميرا سجود بھي حجاب

Seventh step is  none other than selfdiscovery, that further leads to selflessness.