I feel intrigued to read “Muqaddimah” by Ibn Khaldun when I saw Mark Zuckerberg’s statement in 2016 “My next book for a year of books is Muqaddimah by Ibn Khaldun. “It’s a history of the world written by an intellectual who lived in the 1300s”.
I asked my mother, a retired teacher and avid reader if she knew where I could find a copy of Ibn Khaldun’s “Muqaddimah.” She retrieved a well-preserved copy of the book from an old shelf in my late grandmother’s house in Perlis, where I was born and raised, and where my parents still reside.
One of the most outstanding Muslim scholars of the pre-modern era was Ibn Khaldun (1332–1406). He established a new method for writing history and a new purpose for it, namely to comprehend the causes of events, as well as what he referred to as the science of human society or social organization. Although Ibn Khaldun’s ideas had little effect on Muslim thought for centuries, European thinkers from the nineteenth century considered him a founder of sociology and modern historiography.
Image | Ilham Books
The lessons
Ibn Khaldun’s “Muqaddimah” is a renowned work of historical and sociological analysis that is still studied and referenced today. The book offers several lessons that can be learned from its content, some of which include:
- The cyclical nature of history: Ibn Khaldun believed that societies and civilizations went through a cyclical pattern of growth and decline, which he called “asabiyyah” or group feeling. He argued that groups of people with a strong sense of asabiyyah were able to conquer others and create new civilizations, but over time, asabiyyah would decline, leading to the decline of the civilization.
- The importance of geography: Ibn Khaldun recognized that geography played a significant role in shaping the history and development of civilizations. He believed that the physical environment, climate, and location of society had a significant impact on its culture, economy, and political structure.
- The significance of culture and tradition: Ibn Khaldun emphasized the importance of culture and tradition in shaping the behavior of individuals and societies. He believed that customs, beliefs, and values were passed down from generation to generation and played a critical role in the success or failure of a civilization.
- The dangers of excessive taxation and bureaucracy: Ibn Khaldun warned of the dangers of excessive taxation and bureaucracy, which he believed could stifle economic growth and lead to the decline of a society.
- The need for strong leadership: Ibn Khaldun believed that strong leadership was necessary for the success and stability of a society. He argued that leaders needed to have a strong sense of asabiyyah, be able to inspire their followers, and make decisions based on the best interests of the community.
“Muqaddimah” provides valuable insights into the workings of human society and the factors that contribute to its success or failure.
Leadership
One of the leadership scopes that can be learned from Ibn Khaldun’s “Muqaddimah” is the importance of having a strong sense of asabiyyah or group feeling. Ibn Khaldun believed that asabiyyah was critical for the success of a society and that leaders needed to have a strong sense of asabiyyah in order to inspire and unite their followers.
According to Ibn Khaldun, a leader with a strong sense of asabiyyah could create a powerful and cohesive group that was capable of achieving great things. He argued that such a leader could inspire loyalty and dedication in their followers, and make decisions that were in the best interests of the community.
In addition to asabiyyah, Ibn Khaldun also emphasized the importance of wisdom, experience, and moral character in a leader. He believed that a good leader needed to be wise, have a deep understanding of human nature, and possess the moral character necessary to make decisions that were just and fair.
Ibn Khaldun had several views on leadership, which he outlined in his “Muqaddimah”. Some of these views include:
- The importance of asabiyyah or group feeling. Ibn Khaldun believed that a leader needed to have a strong sense of asabiyyah in order to inspire and unite their followers. He argued that asabiyyah was critical for the success of a society and that leaders who could create a powerful and cohesive group were capable of achieving great things.
- The importance of wisdom and experience. According to Ibn Khaldun, a good leader needed to be wise and have a deep understanding of human nature. He believed that leaders who possessed wisdom and experience were better equipped to make decisions that were just and fair.
- The dangers of excessive power. Ibn Khaldun warned of the dangers of excessive power and believed that leaders who were too powerful could become tyrannical and corrupt. He argued that leaders needed to be held accountable for their actions and that a balance of power was necessary to prevent abuses of authority.
- The need for moral character. Ibn Khaldun believed that a leader needed to possess the moral character necessary to make decisions that were just and fair. He argued that leaders who were corrupt or immoral would lose the respect and loyalty of their followers and that this could lead to the collapse of society.
He further wrote extensively on good governance, which he believed was critical for the success and stability of a society. Some of his key ideas on good governance include:
- The importance of justice. Justice was the cornerstone of good governance. He argued that a just ruler would be respected and supported by their people, while an unjust ruler would face rebellion and unrest.
- The need for a balance of power. A balance of power was necessary to prevent abuses of authority. He argued that power should be shared among different groups within society, such as the military, the religious establishment, and the merchant class, to prevent any one group from becoming too powerful.
- The importance of consultation. Leaders should consult with their advisors and the people they govern to make wise decisions. He argued that a leader who was open to feedback and willing to consider different viewpoints was more likely to make decisions that benefited their society.
- The dangers of excessive taxation. He warned of the dangers of excessive taxation, which he believed could lead to economic decline and social unrest. He argued that taxes should be fair and reasonable and that leaders should be careful not to burden their people with too many taxes.
- The need for public works. He believed that good governance required investment in public works, such as infrastructure, education, and healthcare. He argued that a society that invested in these areas would be more prosperous and stable than one that did not.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, he believed that good governance required a combination of justice, a balance of power, consultation, reasonable taxation, and investment in public works. He added that leaders who followed these principles could create a stable and prosperous society that benefited all its citizens.
I find the Muqaddimah to be a valuable and informative resource that offers profound insights and extensive knowledge. Although I have yet to finish reading this substantial book, I highly recommend it to anyone interested in expanding their understanding of the subject matter.
If even someone as accomplished as Mark Zuckerberg expresses a desire to read the Muqaddimah, it is a testament to the exceptional qualities of Ibn Khaldun’s work.
It is essential to acknowledge the significant contributions of Muslim scholars like Ibn Khaldun. This realization prompts a new perspective and encourages me to broaden my knowledge by exploring other works by Muslim scholars. Indeed, it is worth noting that the profound knowledge and insights presented by Muslim scholars ultimately derive from the teachings of the Quran.
