Walking Holidays in Andalucia
Books
The Muqaddimah: An Introduction to
History - (Bollingen S.) Ibn Khaldun, N.J. Dawood (Editor),
Bruce B. Lawrence (Introduction), Franz Rosenthal (Translator)
“He is indeed the one outstanding
personality in the history of a civilization whose social life on
the whole was 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short'. In his
chosen field of intellectual activity he appears to have been
inspired by no predecessors, and to have found no kindred souls
among his contemporaries, and to have kindled no answering spark
of inspiration in any successors ; and yet, in the Prolegomena
(Muqaddimat) to his Universal History he has conceived and
formulated a philosophy of history which is undoubtedly the
greatest work of its kind that has ever yet been created by any
mind in any time or place. It was his single brief 'acquiescence'
from a life of practical activity that gave Ibn Khaldun his
opportunity to cast his creative thought into literary shape.
Ibn Khaldun (born in Tunis 1332 AD - died in Cairo 1406 AD)
is the most important figure in the field of History and Sociology
in Muslim History. He is one of those shining stars that
contributed so richly to the understanding of Civilization. In
order for one to understand and appreciate his work, one must
understand his life. He lived a life in search of stability and
influence. He came from a family of scholars and politicians and
he intended to live up to both expectations. He would succeed in
the field of Scholarship much more so than in any other field.
He would write his Introduction to his book of universal
history in a span of five months. This impressive document is a
gist of his wisdom and hard earned experience. He would use his
political and first had knowledge of the people of Maghrib to
formulate many of his ideas. This document would summarize Ibn
Khaldun's ideas about every field of knowledge during his day. He
would discuss a variety of topics. He would discuss History and
Historiography. He would rebuke some of the historical claims
with a calculated logic. He would discuss the current sciences of
his days. He would talk about astronomy, astrology, and numerology.
He would discuss Chemistry, alchemy and Magic in a scientific way.
He would freely offer his opinions and document well the "facts"
of the other point of view. His discussion of Tribal societies and
social forces would be the most interesting part of his thesis. He
would illuminate the world with deep insight into the workings and
makings of kingdoms and civilizations. His thesis that the
conquered race will always emulate the conqueror in every way. His
theory about Asbyiah (group feeling) and the role that it plays in
Bedouin societies is insightful. His theories of the science of
Umran (sociology) are all pearls of wisdom. His Introduction is
his greatest legacy that he left for all of humanity and the
generations to come. ”
by Muhammad Hozien |
|
|
The Muqaddimah, often translated as
"Introduction" or "Prolegomenon," is the most important Islamic
history of the premodern world. Written by the great
fourteenth-century Arab scholar Ibn Khaldun (d. 1406), this
monumental work laid down the foundations of several fields of
knowledge, including philosophy of history, sociology,
ethnography, and economics. The first complete English translation,
by the eminent Islamicist and interpreter of Arabic literature
Franz Rosenthal, was published in three volumes in 1958 as part of
the Bollingen Series and received immediate acclaim in America and
abroad. A one-volume abridged version of Rosenthal's masterful
translation was first published in 1969.
“Arnold Toynbee (no slouch) rated this book as 'one of the
greatest books ever written.' So, when I was in college, I ran out
and got it, and I have to confess that its greatness was lost on
me at that time. Lots of stuff about Bedouins settling down and
becoming sedentary, etc.”
“Obviously, I HIGHLY recommend the Muqaddimah to anyone
with an interest in political science, anthropology, sociology, or
history.” |
“The English interpretation of Ibn
Khaldun's historical works should be read by all those who wish to
gain a better understanding into the currents that drive human
civilization. The scholar's words, although they were written
down over six hundred years ago, contain insights that are
remarkable and wisdom that will provide the reader with a fresh
outlook on the world around them.
The work deals with the various conditions that underly
the rise, maintenence, maturity and decline of civilization and
of the political entities that are created by people. The role of
the "dynasty" (government) in the economy, the effect of taxation,
the circulation of wealth, and other aspects of the political
economy are set down in great detail.
Ibn Khaldun describes the stages that every civilization
passes from the turmoil of the inception of political entities,
through the stability of the "middle period," to the "senility"
and decline. Where the pursuit of luxury and ease in a sociey
dominates and results in the eventual death of the dynasty. His
parallel of the life of a society and with the life of an
individual is a thing that is thought provoking.
I hope more people will read this book and thereby
experience the genius of Ibn Khaldun. Peace.” |
|
|
|
