Ibn Khaldun

Ibn Khaldun, full name Abu Zayd 'Abd al-Rahman ibn Muhammad ibn Khaldun al-Hadrami (عبد الرحمن بن محمد بن خلدون الحضرمي), May 27, 1332/ah732 to March 19, 1406/ah808) was a famous Tunisian historiographer and historian born in what is modern day Tunisia, and is widely acclaimed as a forerunner of modern historiography, sociology and economics. He is best known for his Muqaddimah (Prolegomena).

High political office

Back in Africa, the Hafsid sultan of Bougie, Abu Abdallah, who had been his companion in prison, received him with great cordiality, and made Ibn Khaldun his prime minister. During this period Ibn Khaldun carried out an adventurous mission to collect taxes among the local Berber tribes. After the 1366 death of Abu Abdallah, Khaldun changed sides once again and allied himself with the ruler of Tlemcen, Abu al-Abbas. A few years later he was taken prisoner by Abdalaziz (Abd ul Aziz), who had defeated the sultan of Tlemcen and seized the throne. He then entered a monastic establishment, and occupied himself with scholastic duties, until in 1370 he was sent for to Tlemcen by the new sultan. After the death of Abd ul Aziz he resided at Fez, enjoying the patronage and confidence of the regent.

Related Topics:
Hafsid - Bougie - 1366 - Tlemcen - 1370

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Ibn Khaldun's political skills, above all his good relationship with the wild Berber tribes, were in high demand among the north African rulers, whereas he himself began to tire of politics and constant switching of allegiances. In 1375, sent by Abu Hammu, the Abdalwadid Sultan of Tlemcen, on a mission to the Dawadida tribes, Ibn Khaldun sought refuge with one of the Berber tribes, the Awlad Arif of central Algeria, in the town of Qalat Ibn Salama. He lived there for over three years under their protection, taking advantage of his seclusion to write the Muqaddimah (the "Introduction" to his planned history of the world). In Ibn Salama, however, he lacked the necessary literature to complete the work. As a result, in 1378, he returned to his native Tunis, which in the mean time had been conquered by Abu al-Abbas, who took Ibn Khaldun back into his service. There he devoted himself almost exclusively to his studies and completed his history of the world. His relationship with Abu al-Abbas remained strained, as the latter doubted his loyalty, especially after Ibn Khaldun presented him with a copy of the completed history, but simply omitted the usual panegyric to the ruler. Under pretence of going on the Hajj to Mecca - something an Islamic ruler could not simply refuse permission for - Ibn Khaldun was able to leave Tunis and sail to Alexandria.

Related Topics:
1375 - Tlemcen - Algeria - Qalat Ibn Salama - Muqaddimah - 1378 - Panegyric - Hajj - Mecca - Alexandria

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