Book review : Ibn Khaldun
His name is Abdurahman bin Muhammad bin Muhammad bin Muhammad bin Al-Hasan bin Jabir bin Muhammad bin Ibrahim bin Abdurahman bin Ibn Khaldun.He was born in Tunis on Ramadan 1, 732 (May 27, 1332. Ibn Khaldun is the most important figure in the field of History and Sociology in Muslim History. He is one of those shining stars that contributed so richly to the understanding of Civilization. In order for one to understand and appreciate his work, one must understand his life. He lived a life in search of stability and influence. He came from a family of scholars and politicians and he intended to live up to both expectations. He would succeed in the field of Scholarship much more so than in any other field.
He received a traditional education that was typical of his family’s rank and status. He learned first at the hands of his father who was a scholarly person who was not involved in politics like his ancestors. He memorized the Qur’an by heart, learned grammar, Jurisprudence, Hadith, rhetoric, philology, and poetry.The education he received from his teachers seems to have been thorough and scholastic.
He entered into public life before having attained age twenty. His first position was that of the seal bearer. His ambitious desire for greater authority and power.
After having changed sides from ruler to ruler,he felt tired of political adventures and he abandoned politics and sought refuge among the Banu Arif tribe. It was there he composed his famous Muqaddimah, his Prolegomena to History.
He died on March 16,1406,shortly after his sixth nomination for the judgeship. He was buried in the Sufi cemetery in Cairo.Ibn Khadun seemed to be the only writer in the history of Islam who, with an amazing frankness,wrote a detailed book about his secular activities.
He received a traditional education that was typical of his family’s rank and status. He learned first at the hands of his father who was a scholarly person who was not involved in politics like his ancestors. He memorized the Qur’an by heart, learned grammar, Jurisprudence, Hadith, rhetoric, philology, and poetry.The education he received from his teachers seems to have been thorough and scholastic.
He entered into public life before having attained age twenty. His first position was that of the seal bearer. His ambitious desire for greater authority and power.
After having changed sides from ruler to ruler,he felt tired of political adventures and he abandoned politics and sought refuge among the Banu Arif tribe. It was there he composed his famous Muqaddimah, his Prolegomena to History.
He died on March 16,1406,shortly after his sixth nomination for the judgeship. He was buried in the Sufi cemetery in Cairo.Ibn Khadun seemed to be the only writer in the history of Islam who, with an amazing frankness,wrote a detailed book about his secular activities.