Ibn Khaldun the Founder of Sociology

Introduction to Ibn Khaldun and the Foundation of Sociology

Ibn Khaldun is renowned as the founder of sociology, a title he earned through his seminal work, the Muqaddimah. According to the Dictionary of Social Science Terms, sociology is defined as: “A descriptive, interpretative, and comparative study of human societies as they appear in time and space, aiming to discover the laws of development that govern human societies in their progress and change” ([1]).

Historical Context and Early Foundations of Sociology

Although social thinking is as ancient as humanity itself, sociology did not emerge as a formal scientific discipline until a later period. Abdul Rahman bin Muhammad bin Khaldun, a distinguished Muslim scholar who passed away in 808 AH, was the first to recognize the existence of this science, establish its independence from other fields, and lay its foundational principles and preliminaries.

In this context, Ibn Khaldun states: “It is as if this is an independent science in itself, for it has a subject, which is human and social civilization…” ([2]).

The Muqaddimah: A Comprehensive Sociological Framework

Ibn Khaldun’s Muqaddimah encompasses at least seven branches of sociology, which he discussed with remarkable clarity ([3]). He was the first to apply a scientific study method to social phenomena, leading to the discovery of numerous fixed truths akin to laws in various aspects of human civilization:

Ibn Khaldun’s Scientific Approach to Social Phenomena

Ibn Khaldun was the pioneer in subjecting social phenomena to a scientific study method, which resulted in numerous fixed truths resembling laws in human civilization. This approach corresponds to various branches of sociology:

General Sociology: Understanding overall social structures and dynamics.
Political Sociology: Analyzing the state, caliphate, and monarchy.
Urban Sociology: Studying urban development and its impact on society.
Economic Sociology: Exploring crafts, livelihood, and economic activities.
Educational Sociology: Investigating educational systems and methods of knowledge acquisition.

Influence on 19th-Century European Sociologists

Ibn Khaldun’s views and theories preceded those developed in the 19th century by several renowned European sociologists, including Auguste Comte, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Herbert Spencer, Max Weber, and others. His work laid the groundwork for modern sociological thought.

Intellectual Formation and Diverse Roles in Governance

Ibn Khaldun’s upbringing in a dynamic, diverse Islamic environment rich in events, combined with his holding various governmental positions—such as writing letters, drafting grievance petitions, ministerial roles, acting as a deputy (hajib), ambassador, orator, judge, and teacher—greatly influenced his intellectual formation. This experience provided him with extensive expertise and a profound understanding of the state and society.

Scientific Methodology in the Muqaddimah

Ibn Khaldun employed a scientific methodology in his Muqaddimah, focusing on:

Induction
Observation
Conclusion
He emphasized the importance of understanding the relationships between causes and effects, as well as the interconnectedness of social phenomena. This method is based on induction, followed by observation, and then conclusion, enabling precise critique and objective analysis of social phenomena.

Comprehensive Concept of Human Civilization

Ibn Khaldun’s concept of human civilization includes all phenomena—demographic, political, economic, social, and intellectual. He articulates this by stating:

“Know that the reality of human history is that it narrates human society, which is the civilization of the world, and what is presented about the nature of this civilization in terms of conditions such as barbarism and civility, tribalism, and the various forms of human dominance over one another, and what arises from that in terms of kingdoms, states, and their ranks, and what humans engage in through their actions and endeavors, and all that occurs from that civilization naturally in its conditions” ([4]).

Inherent Social Nature of Humans

Ibn Khaldun clarified an important fact: humans are inherently social beings who cannot live apart from their own kind. He stated:

“… human society is essential, and the wise express this by saying: Man is naturally civilized” ([5]).

Impact of Environment on Human Behavior and Morals

He discussed the impact of the environment on human morals and behavior ([6]), a concept related to modern ethnology, a branch of sociology. Additionally, he explored how different lifestyles and production methods affect human bodies and morals ([7]).

Tribalism and the Foundation of Governance

In his Muqaddimah, Ibn Khaldun dedicated a chapter to states, monarchy, and caliphate, emphasizing that tribalism is the cornerstone of governance. He linked significant events and radical changes in both Bedouin and urban civilizations to the presence or absence of tribalism ([8]). In his view, tribalism is the fundamental support for the life of states and dynasties.

Understanding the Rise and Fall of States

Ibn Khaldun possessed a deep understanding and insight into the phases that states undergo in their formation, growth, strength, prosperity, decline, and fall. His analysis provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the lifecycle of political entities.

Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Ibn Khaldun’s Muqaddimah

Ibn Khaldun’s Muqaddimah is considered a pioneering, foundational work and an analytical scientific study in the field of sociology. It serves as an unprecedented scientific encyclopedia in human sociology, detailing the development of human societies and the factors influencing their social, political, economic, and intellectual dynamics.

No scholar before Ibn Khaldun presented a systematic, scientific study of social phenomena that led to such profound conclusions. Thus, the Muqaddimah stands as a pioneering scientific work unparalleled in the history of human social thought.

By Mohamed Amhzoun