Ibn Khaldon

• 1332-1406

• An arab sociologist—one of the pioneers of the field of sociology

• Famous for his cyclic theory of social change commonly known as

“Asabiyyah”

• Evolutionary theorist (Non-linear growth of society

• This theory is presented in his book “Muqaddimah”

 Asabiyyah—Theory of Social Change
• Definition of Asabiyyah:

• Linguistically, the term Asabiyyah is from the word, ‘asab’, which means ‘to bind’.

• "Asabiyyah" is an Arabic term that refers to social solidarity, cohesion, and group
consciousness.

• According to Ibn Khaldon, "asabiyyah" is a fundamental factor that shapes the rise and fall
of civilizations.

• He argued that a society's cohesion and solidarity are crucial for its success and survival,
and that asabiyyah is the glue that binds together individuals in a group or society.
 Characteristics of Asabiyyah
1) It exists at all levels of civilization:

• From tribe to city state to country to civilization

2) Cause of emergence:

• Struggle against a common enemy (foreign enemy, harsh conditions of nature)

• Desire for nation building
• Collective identity (Religion, ethnicity

3) Feeling of Exclusiveness (Us vs. Them)

4) Engine of Social Change: (Karl Marx vs. Ibn Khaldoon)

 Cyclic Theory of Asabiyyah
• Ibn Khaldun believed that asabiyyah goes through a cycle in every
society.

• Asabiyyah is strongest among nomadic tribes and weaker among

urban societies.

• As a society becomes more civilized and prosperous, the social bond

that holds it together weakens, leading to a decline in asabiyyah.

• This decline eventually leads to the disintegration of the society.

Ibn Khaldun's theory of asabiyyah describes the cycle of the rise and fall of
civilizations in five stages:

1) The Stage of Bedouin Tribes:

• According to Ibn Khaldun, the first stage is characterized by a strong sense of asabiyyah
among Bedouin tribes who are united by their common descent, culture, and way of life.

• Their strong sense of asabiyyah allows them to conquer and dominate other societies.

• The primitive people in the peripheries are welded together in the face of common
difficulties

• Their potential is harnessed by a Tribal chief who unites them and instills ambition in them
2) The Stage of Conquest:

• In this stage, the Bedouin tribes conquer and establish a new society.
• The victorious tribe imposes its own culture and way of life on the conquered people, who
gradually assimilate into the new society.

3) The Stage of Flourishing:

• The new society flourishes under the influence of the conquering tribe's culture and way of
life.
• Asabiyyah is at its peak, and the society enjoys a period of stability, prosperity, and cultural
achievement.
4) The Stage of Decay:

• As the society becomes more civilized and prosperous, the sense of asabiyyah gradually
weakens.
• The ruling elite become more interested in luxury and comfort, and the society becomes
more divided and corrupt.
• Asabiyyah is replaced by individualism and selfishness, leading to a decline in social
cohesion and unity.
• The ruler consolidates his power to create an absolute kingship (Self-destructive nature of
royal power)

5) The Stage of Collapse:

• In the final stage, the society disintegrates due to the loss of asabiyyah.
• It becomes vulnerable to external threats and eventually collapses, paving the way for a
new conquering tribe to establish a new society
 Historical Analysis
• Rise and downfall of Islamic Civilization

• Mughal Empire

• Mongolian Empire (Chenghiz Khan. Charismatic leader)

• European Union

• Khilafat O Malokiat