Ayub Sabir


Muhammad Ayub Sabir was a Pakistani writer and academic better known as a scholar of Muhammad Iqbal. He had received the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, Iqbal award and Pride of Performance from the Government of Pakistan for his literary works.
He died on 17 November 2022 in Islamabad.

Early life and education

Sabir was born on 2 January 1940 in Haripur, British India. He received his Master of Arts degree in Urdu language from Peshawar University, Peshawar, Pakistan. He obtained a M.Phil. degree on Iqbal studies from Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad and PhD in Urdu Language from Punjab University, Lahore.
He had three children, Faiza Khan, a daughter, and two sons, Fahd Ayub and Faiq Ayub. His wife Shirin Ayub is a painting artist.
He lived in Abbottabad and later in Islamabad.

Academic career

Sabir researched on Iqbal studies, Urdu language and Islamic philosophy. He had thirty-two years including sixteen years of teaching of post-graduate level at Government Post Graduate College Abbottabad and Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Pakistan. He served as the head of the department of Iqbal Studies at Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad from 2006 to 2008 and as chairman of the Department of Urdu at Government Post Graduate College Abbottabad from 1981 to 1986. He traveled to the United Kingdom for the study and research on Iqbal. He attended and been invited to many conferences in India.

Books

His published books include:

Iqbal studies

  • Iqbal Ki Shakhsiyat Par Etrazāt Ka Jaiza – 2003
A rebuttal of critical claims against Allama Iqbal’s personality and ideas, based on scholarly review.
  • Iqbal Dushmani: Ek Mutālā – 1993
Analyzes ideological and political opposition to Allama Iqbal, detailing the motives and arguments of his critics.
  • Allāmah Iqbal Ka Tasawwur‑e‑Ijtihād – 2008
Discusses Iqbal’s approach to Islamic jurisprudence and renewal through independent reasoning.
  • Mū’atrizeen‑e‑Iqbal – 2004
A critical study of intellectual opposition to Iqbal, engaging with contemporary and historical critiques.
  • Iqbal Ka Urdu Kalām – 2008
Explores Iqbal’s contributions to Urdu poetry and prose, highlighting his linguistic and thematic mastery.

Language and sociolinguistic studies

  • Āzād Kashmir Mein Nifāz‑e‑Urdu – 1984
A sociolinguistic study of Urdu’s institutional role in the Azad Kashmir's education and administration.
  • Pakistan Mein Urdu Ke Taraqqiyātī Idāre – 1985
Documents the evolution and function of Urdu-promoting institutions in Pakistan.

Literary surveys of the Hazara region

  • Adabistān‑e‑Hazāra – 1989
A regional survey of Hazara’s literary heritage, with focus on Urdu and Pashto literary trends.
  • Abbottābād Ke Ghazal‑go Shuarā – 2000
An anthology edited by Sabir compiling Urdu ghazals of regional poets from Abbottabad.

Editorial and historical works

  • Intikhāb‑i‑Khatūt‑e‑G̲h̲ālib – c.1998
Annotated selection of letters written by Ghalib, edited and introduced by Ayub Sabir.
  • Urdu Ki Ibtidā Ke Bāre Mein Muḥaqqiqīn Ke Nazariyāt – c.2000
A historiographical analysis of scholarly views on the development and early history of Urdu.