In his historic Allahabad Address (1930), Iqbal became the first prominent leader to publicly propose the idea of a separate Muslim state in Northwestern India. He argued that Muslims needed their own homeland to preserve their religious, cultural, and political identity, free from Hindu domination under British rule.
Through his poetry and philosophy, Iqbal awakened a sense of Muslim nationhood (Ummah). His works, such as "Bang-e-Dra" and "Shikwa & Jawab-e-Shikwa", instilled pride in Islamic heritage and motivated Muslims to strive for self-determination
Iqbal believed that the Muslim League needed strong leadership to challenge the Indian National Congress. He recognized Jinnah’s political brilliance, he convinced him to return from England and lead the Muslim League. In his letters to Jinnah (1936-37), Iqbal outlined the Two-Nation Theory and urged him to fight for a separate Muslim state.