Ibn Khaldun

Question 1

Who was Ibn Khaldun?

Answer 1

Ibn Khaldun was a great Muslim historian, scholar, and thinker.

Question 2

What is his theory of history?

Answer 2

According to him, kingship or political power cannot remain in a state of high position endlessly. Decay sets in after a dynasty or civilization has reached its peak of development. This is just like the life of an individual. Even though he was a Muslim, his theory of history applies to all societies.

Question 3

Where and when was he born?

Answer 3

Ibn Khaldun was born in Tunis in 1332.

Question 4

Who took care of his early education?

Answer 4

His father was a scholar and took care of his early education.

Question 5

By the age of 19 what had Ibn Khaldun learnt? After age of 19 what did he obtain?

Answer 5

He memorized the Qur’an, learnt Arabic grammar, Hadith, Islamic law, and poetry by the age of 19, after which he obtained certificates in these subjects.

Question 6

Which world did he find himself in?

Answer 6

Soon he found himself in the world of power and politics.

Question 7

From 1352 onwards which places did he move to?

Answer 7

From 1352 onwards he moved from government to government and country to country including Tunis, Morocco, Egypt, Granada, Andalusia (Spain), Damascus, Constantinople, and Arabia.

Question 8

In Fez, the capital of Morocco, what did he enjoy?

Answer 8

In Fez, the capital of Morocco, he enjoyed meeting and exchanging views with scholars from all over North Africa and Andalusia.

Question 9

Wherever Ibn Khaldun went, how would the people treat him and why?

Answer 9

Wherever Ibn Khaldun went, his knowledge, learning, and wisdom were recognized and he was given influential positions of high rank, but at times he also became a victim of intrigues.

Question 10

What positions did Ibn Khaldun gain?

Answer 10

He was made Chief Justice, Ambassador of Peace, Chief Negotiator, and Custodian of the Royal Family. He also served as a Maliki Judge, and lecturer of Hadith at different times in different countries.

Question 11

Why was it obvious that he had to write a book?

Answer 11

Obviously with so much experience and knowledge, and such a scholarly background, it was natural for him to write down his analysis of all that he had learned, in the form of a book.

Question 12

When and where did he start writing his famous book? What is the books name?

Answer 12

He started writing his famous Muqaddama and the first part of his Universal History at the age of 42 in Constantinople.

Question 13

For more research, for his book, where did he go?

Answer 13

For more research he went to Egypt where his fame had reached before him.

Question 14

How was he welcomed in Egypt?

Answer 14

He was warmly welcomed and received by students and scholars alike.

Question 15

Where did he lecture at in Egypt?

Answer 15

Here he lectured at the Al-Azhar University and other centres of high learning.

Question 16

What did the Sultan of Egypt recognize in Ibn Khaldun to appoint him as a Maliki Judge? Did this position last long?

Answer 16

The Sultan of Egypt recognized his knowledge and wisdom and appointed him a Maliki Judge. However, this did not last for too long because of rivalries.

Question 17

Where did he set out from Egypt and after coming back what was he appointed as?

Answer 17

From Egypt he set out for Hajj and after coming back was appointed as a Lecturer of Hadith by a Centre of Religious Studies and also by a Sufi School of high learning.

Question 18

Later, what was he reappointed as and where?

Answer 18

Later, he was reappointed as the Chief Maliki Judge in Cairo.

Question 19

While in Cairo, why was Ibn Khaldun asked by Sultan Faraj to accompany him to Damascus?

Answer 19

While in Cairo he was asked by Sultan Faraj to accompany him to Damascus, Syria to negotiate with Timur, the Mongol leader who was heading a war party towards Damascus.

Question 20

Who was Timur giving a tough time too?

Answer 20

Timur was giving a tough time to the various people trying to discourage his plans but all failed.

Question 21

What did Ibn Khaldun take upon himself and what did he do?

Answer 21

Eventually, Ibn Khaldun took it upon himself to visit the court. He stayed there for 35 days discussing different topics with Timur who was greatly impressed by the scholar, and asked him to stay on in his court, Ibn Khaldun was thus able to successfully change Timur’s plans of war.

Question 22

Which position did Ibn Khaldun spend the rest of his life in?

Answer 22

Ibn Khaldun spent the last years of his life in the position of Chief Maliki Judge in Cairo.

Question 23

When did he die and where is he buried?

Answer 23

He died at the age of 74 and is buried in the Sufi graveyard in Cario.

Question 24

What subjects are his books based on that make them very valuable for students and scholars all over the world?

Answer 24

His books on philosophy and universal history about the rise, decay, and fall of societies, governments, and civilizations are very valuable for students and scholars all over the world.

Question 25

What is his effort in acquiring knowledge a beacon for our generation?

Answer 25

His effort in acquiring knowledge is a beacon for our generation to keenly pursue leaming.