IBN-E-KHALDUN

IBN-E-KHALDUN

Ibn Khaldun is universally recognized as the founder and father

of Sociology and Sciences of History.
Ibn Khaldun was an Arab, sociologist, philosopher, and historian
widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest social scientists of
the Middle Ages.
Born
• May 27, 1332, Tunis, Tunisia

FULL NAME
• Abū Zayd ‘Abd ar-Rafimān ibn Mufiammad ibn Khaldūn al-
Ḥaḍrami

DIED
• March 17, 1406, Cairo, Egypt
FAMILY

He was born in Tunis in AD 1332 (732 AH) into an upper-class

Andalusian family of Arab descent,[23] the family's ancestor was
a Hadhrami who shared kinship with Waíl ibn Hujr, a companion
of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
His family, which held many high offices in Al-Andalus, had
emigrated to Tunisia after the fall of Seville to the Reconquista in
AD 1248.
His brother, Yahya Khaldun, was also a historian who wrote a
book on the Abdalwadid dynasty and was assassinated by a rival
for being the official historiographer of the court.
EDUCATION
 Ibn Khaldūn continued his studies until the age of
nineteen
 He received a classical Islamic education, studying the
Quran, which he memorized by heart, Arabic
linguistics; the basis for understanding the Quran,
hadith, sharia (law) and fiqh.
 He received certification for all of those subjects.
 The mathematician and philosopher Al-Abili of Tlemcen
introduced him to mathematics, logic and philosophy,
and he studied especially the works of Averroes,
Avicenna, Razi and Tusi.
POLITICAL CAREER

 Ibn Khaldun had to move from one place to another, sometimes

at his own will, but often forced to do so by plotting rivals or
despotic rulers.
 He learnt much from his encounters with rulers, ambassadors,
politicians and scholars from North Africa, Muslim Spain, Egypt
and other parts of the Muslim world.

Here are some key points:

POLITICAL CAREER

1. Tunisia :
 Ibn Tafrakin, the ruler of Tunis, called Ibn Khaldūn to be the seal-
bearer of his captive, Sultan Abū Isḥāq.
 It is here that Ibn Khaldūn had a firsthand look at the inner
workings of court politics and the weakness of the government.
POLITICAL CAREER

2- Escape from Tunisia to Morocco:

 Due to the unstable political environment and potentially
dangerous rivalries, Ibn Khaldun decided to leave Tunisia and
sought refuge in Morocco.
 During his time in Morocco, Ibn Khaldun continued his scholarly
pursuits, engaging with local scholars and intellectuals.
 POLITICAL CAREER

3. Escape from Morocco to Spain :

 In the early 1360s, Ibn Khaldun fled Morocco to seek safety in Muslim
Spain (Al-Andalus) due to the escalating political tensions and power
struggles that threatened his life.
 During his stay in Muslim Spain, Ibn Khaldun found a conducive
environment for intellectual pursuits. He engaged with prominent
scholars, expanded his knowledge across various fields, and further
honed his theories and ideas, setting the foundation for his later
influential works.
POLITICAL CAREER

4. From Spain to Tunisia :

 During his time in Muslim Spain, Ibn Khaldun's reputation as
an intellectual grew, and he embarked on a journey to Tunisia
to further his scholarly pursuits.
 In Tunisia, he engaged with local scholars, participated in
debates, and served as a diplomat.
POLITICAL CAREER

5. Adventures in North Africa :

 In Tunisia, Ibn Khaldun deepened his understanding of various
fields, including history and sociology.
 He also gained valuable experience by advising rulers and
witnessing the complexities of governance and diplomacy across
North Africa's diverse political landscape.
POLITICAL CAREER

6. To Egypt :
 In 1382, Ibn Khaldun accepted an invitation from the Sultan of
Egypt, Barquq, to move to Cairo.
 There, he assumed the role of a senior diplomat and counselor,
offering his wisdom and expertise to the ruler and engaging with
the intellectual circles of the Egyptian capital.
POLITICAL CAREER

7. Meeting Tamerlane :
 During his stay in Egypt, Ibn Khaldun had a momentous encounter
with the legendary Central Asian conqueror, Tamerlane (Timur),
who sought his counsel on matters related to governance and
administration. This meeting further elevated Ibn Khaldun's status
and influence in the political circles of the time.
 Literary Contributions

 Ibn Khaldun's "Muqaddimah" introduced a groundbreaking

approach to both historiography and sociology, revolutionizing
the way history and societies were studied during his time and
laying the foundation for future scholars in these fields.
 Kitab al-Ibar
(Book of Lessons)
 A comprehensive historical work focusing on the Berbers,
exploring their culture, genealogy, and social structures.
 It offers valuable insights into the history of this North African
ethnic group.
Literary Contributions

 Kitab al-'Iqd al-Thamin

(The Comprehensive Book)
 An exploration of North African Arab history and its genealogies.
This work provides a comprehensive account of the Arab
communities in the region.
 Al-Tarif bi-Ibn Khaldun
(Familiarization with Ibn Khaldun)
 A concise biography of Ibn Khaldun written by his contemporary,
Ibn al-Khatib. It sheds light on the life and achievements of the
great scholar. It offers valuable insights into the history of this
North African ethnic group.
Muqaddimah ("The Introduction")

 "Muqaddimah," was written between 1377 and 1379, is a

monumental work that holds significant importance in the fields
of sociology, historiography, and social sciences.
 The book is considered one of the earliest works in sociology and
remains a foundational piece in the study of social sciences.
 In "Muqaddimah," Ibn Khaldun presents his groundbreaking
theories on historiography and sociology. He explores the rise and
fall of civilizations, the cyclical nature of dynasties, and the
concept of asabiyyah (group solidarity).
Sociological Concepts

a. Asabiyyah:
Ibn Khaldun introduced the concept of "asabiyyah," often translated as "group
solidarity" or "social cohesion“. He argued that strong asabiyyah (the sense of community
and collective identity) is crucial for the rise and success of a society. Asabiyyah wanes
over time as a civilization progresses, leading to its decline.

b. Cycle of Dynasties:
Ibn Khaldun observed a pattern of rise and fall in dynasties. He argued that strong,
cohesive groups (with high asabiyyah) often establish new dynasties and states.
However, as the dynasty becomes more established, rulers and their descendants lose the
original asabiyyah, leading to the dynasty's decline and eventual replacement by a new
group.
c. 'Asabiyyah and Environment:
Ibn Khaldun linked the environment to the development of asabiyyah. He noted that
nomadic and rural environments often give rise to strong asabiyyah due to hardships and
challenges faced by these communities. In contrast, urban settings tend to weaken
asabiyyah over time.
Kitab al-Ibar (Book of Lessons)

 "Kitab al-Ibar" is Ibn Khaldun's extensive historical work, and it

expands on the themes introduced in "Muqaddimah." The book
offers a comprehensive analysis of historical events, societies, and
civilizations.
 Ibn Khaldun draws from a wide range of historical sources and
examples from various cultures and regions, making it a valuable
historical record of his time.
Kitab al-'Iqd al-Thamin
(The Comprehensive Book)

 "Kitab al-'Iqd al-Thamin" is a historical masterpiece by Ibn

Khaldun, focusing on the history of North African Arabs. This
comprehensive work delves into the genealogies, culture, and
societal structures of the Arab communities in the region.
 With a vast array of historical sources and examples,
"Kitab al-'Iqd al-Thamin" stands as a significant historical record of
the North African Arab history during Ibn Khaldun's time.
Tarikh Ibn-e-Khaldun
(Familiarization with Ibn Khaldun)

 "Al-Tarif bi-Ibn Khaldun" is a concise biography of Ibn Khaldun,

written by his contemporary, Ibn al-Khatib.
 Ibn al-Khatib acquaints readers with the life, achievements, and
contributions of the great scholar, Ibn Khaldun.
 The biography sheds light on Ibn Khaldun's intellectual pursuits,
his travels, and interactions with other scholars and rulers.
 Through "Al-Tarif bi-Ibn Khaldun," readers gain a deeper
understanding of the remarkable life journey of Ibn Khaldun and
the lasting impact of his works on various academic disciplines.
 Conclusion and Gratitude

I hope this presentation has provided

valuable insights. Thank you all for your
time and attention.