ABSTRACT
This chapter will apply the Kierkegaardian principle of ‘making distinctions’, the ‘qualitative disjunction’, or ‘qualitative distinction’ to the notions Iqbal introduces in relation to his understanding of the self and its development. It will argue that Iqbal is not interested in developing his own terminology, and as a result of this, he does not provide his reader with a clear idea of becoming a genuine Muslim. In order to clarify Iqbal’s terminology, which will help in understanding his view of becoming a genuine Muslim, the Kierkegaardian principle of ‘making distinctions’ will be applied to Iqbal’s notions. This will include making distinctions between the concepts and terms which currently lack clarity, and this will consist of three major issues, namely distinguishing objectivity from subjectivity, distinguishing self-sustaining actions from self-dissolving actions, and distinguishing religion from philosophy.
