In the previous article we have discussed the contributions of a great scientist, philosopher and zoologist, Jahiz. His marvellous contribution to the field of the Arabic literature and zoology has become the centre of attraction of millions of people. Kitabul Haiwan is the most probably first book written about Zoology which contains various peculiar information about animals and their habits and environment. This article will highlight the contribution of Ibn Khaldun a world-famous historian, economist, anthropologist and jurist. Ibn Khaldun is a great historian who transformed the methodology of history.
Muslims have played a significant role in the writing of history which is one of the vital sources of knowledge transformation. The first ayah of the Holy Qur’ān stresses the importance of Qalam which is a vital instrument of knowledge transformation. How many of us know the origin of history and methodology of recording the incidence and contribution of past civilisation? Ibn Khaldun, a Great Historian of the 13th century introduced some methods of recording social and political events. Before Ibn Khaldun, some Arab historians had documented the history and incidence of war of prophetic era. Magazi is one of the famous books which cover the incidence of war during the Prophet’s time. Futoohulbuldan and other books written by Islamic scholars discuss the subject matter of history. Ibn Khaldun has scientifically compiled history.
The Mosque where Ibn Khaldoun used to take his lessons
Abd al-Rahman Ibn Khaldun was born on 27 May 1332 corresponding to 1st Ramadhan 732AH in Tunisia. His name was Wali al-Din Abd al-Rahman ibn Muhammad Ibn Khaldun. By lineage he was an Arab. They had settled down in Seville in Spain soon after the Islamic conquest of Spain in 93AH but again, they migrated to Tunisia before Christians captured Seville in 1248 C.E.
Abd al-Rahman Ibn Khaldun received his early education at home under the guidance of his father who was a scholar of his time. He memorised the Holy Qur’ān, learned Arabic grammar, jurisprudence, hadith, rhetoric, philology and poetry under the supervisor of the best teacher of their time. He learned mathematics, logic and philosophy from a great mathematician and philosopher Al-Abili of Tlemcen. In a nutshell, he attained high proficiency in these subjects and became a master within a short span of times. Some historians believed that Ibn Khaldun had completed his traditional studies by 19 years of his age.
Ibn Khaldun worked in different capacities in various countries as judge, administrator, lawyer, teacher and government advisor.
Political background and relation with kings and various governments let not him stay peacefully at one place. Throughout his life he was travelling from one place to another.
He was not a traveller but his writing reflects that he had travelled to Europe, Africa and Arabian Peninsula extensively. His book Muqaddama is an outcome of his personal experience and observation. It seems he spent his life in jeopardy; he was imprisoned several times, he was expelled from his position yet he was dedicated to his mission. Ibn Khaldun spent his last moments in Egypt. Most of the research works were carried in Egypt while he was serving as a judge in Maliki Court in Egypt. Great Historian and Philosopher, who influenced millions of people, took his last breath on 17 March 1406 in Egypt.
He started his writing work at the age of 30. Many historians believe that the Muqaddama [Prologue] was the first book he wrote and completed it in six months. The first volume of the book is Muqaddama which literally mean introduction and is the part of his book Kitabul Abrar wa-Diwan al-Mubtada wa-l-Khabar fi Tarikh al-Arab wa-l-Barbar wa-Man Aṣarahum min Dhawi ash-Shaan al-Akbar. Kitabul Abrar is a book divided in seven volumes. Though Muqaddama is the first part of this book, it got a separate entity of a complete book. Muqaddama was the first major attempt to analyse the human society concerning geography, anthropology, history, sociology, religion, culture, society, economy, science, arts, crafts and psychology. The Muqaddama can be divided in six parts as follows.
- Human Society
- Rural Civilizations
- Government and Institutions
- Society and Urbanization
- Economic Modules
- Science and Humanity
Kitabul Abrar is subsequent part of Muqaddama which discusses the various issues of civilisation, government, administration and culture of some nations. Volume II, III, IV and V discuss the history of mankind till the time of Ibn Khaldun. Volume VI and VII discuss the history of Barber people and Maghrib. This part is considered one of the authentic and significant sources of the history of Barber Civilisation. Besides Kitabul Abrar, he has written several books on different subjects.
Discussing the various aspects of sociology, Ibn Khaldun conceived the theory of conflict. He propounded the theory of dichotomy of sedentary life verses nomad life, the concept of generation and loss of power.
Ibn Khaldun developed a theory of civilisation, the theory of political economy, theory of business cycle, theory of taxation, theory of social cohesion and tribalism. In addition to these theories, Ibn Khaldun propounded a number of other modules and ideas which later on became the centre of citation for western scholars and social scientists. Arthur Laffer was indebted to Ibn Khaldun in the development of Laffer Curve. Laffer Curve deals with heavy-duty levy of tax on production and agriculture. In this theory, Ibn Khaldun suggested the government to reduce the level of taxation. He pointed out that the excess levy on public may discourage the business, reduce the production level in the economy and reduce the revenue of the government. It may also lead supply-side inflation in the economy which is known cost-push inflation in modern economic literature.
Ibn Khaldun also stresses the Islamic monetary theory and management of currency. He was in view of minting gold or silver coins. He suggested establishing equilibria between intrinsic and face value of the currency. His analysis of cause, nature, effects and consequences of civilisation has evoked great admiration in the world.
British historian Arnold J. Toynbee termed the Muqaddama as a philosophy of history which is undoubtedly the greatest work of its kind that has ever yet been created by any mind at any time or place.