HUMA 1302-82203

Professor Dr. Samarth

La Thuong Tri

Ibn Khaldun, a Muslim brilliant mind

After a great time learning about the Islamic world during this course, many aspects

of the Islamic culture and impressive Muslims absolutely gave me incredible knowledge.

Learning about Ibn Khaldun's life and contribution is the most important lesson.

Ibn Khaldun, 1332–1406, was born in a high-rank family, so he has shaped his

thoughts by numerous talented teachers in various domains, from studying Quran to math,

logic, law, etc. Having mastered multiple listed subjects and received certification about them

before the age of 19, Ibn Khaldun started his political career. He had been promoted through

ranks from council to council, from court to court around the "west" Islamic world.

Moreover, with logical thinking and great observation, he became the leading Arab

sociologist of his time, laid the cornerstone for modern historiography, and contributed

profoundly to the social sciences such as history, economics, sociology, and philosophy.

Professor Ibrahim M. Oweiss of Georgetown University has claimed that Ibn Khaldun's

contribution to economics should land him as the "father" of economics instead of Adam

Smith, born three hundred years later. His research contributed to various fundamental

concepts of modern economics, such as the labor theory of value, demand, supply, profits,

growth, taxes, money, the role of governments, foreign trade, etc.

 In his most famous work is, the Muqaddimah or Prolegomena, Ibn Khaldun

introduced the cyclical theory about the rise and fall of sovereignties through five historical

phases: foundation, personalization of power, growth, and expansion, stagnation, decline, and

dissolution. Thanks to his rich political experiences by working as a high-ranking official in

many courts, he could closely observe the inner circle of rulers of many states and institutions

draw an invaluable conclusion about the regimes of their supposing fates. According to

Önder M. & Ulaşan, F . (2018), Ibn Khaldun had drawn insightful conclusions by observing

Bedouin societies in Northern Africa. He claimed that the governments were like living

organisms with a cyclical life span and inevitable death. One kingdom can be created by a

powerful ruler who conquers lands and people; then, it amasses power and wealth by talented

officials, just for the next generation of rulers spending it wastefully through a luxurious
lifestyle. Inevitably, the sovereigns would raise taxes, consequently harming society's

economy. Their thrones would be weakened through time, and their powers would eventually

be dissolved.

In conclusion, although the contribution of Ibn Khaldun is vast and fundamental, his

reputation is almost unheard of outside the Islamic world. This sad fact was also common

among other great Muslim intellectuals. Their fame should be spread more widely and be

recognized to match the level of their works and wisdom.

Worked Cites

“‘Ibn Khaldun, the Father of Economics.’” Georgetown.Edu,

faculty.georgetown.edu/imo3/ibn.htm. Accessed 28 Feb. 2022.

Önder, M., & Ulaşan, F . (2018). Ibn Khaldun’s Cyclical Theory on the Rise and Fall

of Sovereign Powers: The Case of Ottoman Empire. ADAM AKADEMİ Sosyal Bilimler

Dergisi, 8(2), 231-266. doi: 10.31679/adamakademi.453944

Shaikh, Khaleel. “Literature and Music in Muslim Civilisation.” Muslim Heritage, 29

Jan. 2020, muslimheritage.com/literature-music-muslim-civil.

"File:Statue Ibn Khaldoun.jpg." Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. 8 Sep

2020, 03:17 UTC. 6 Mar 2022, 15:45

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