Analysis of The Muqaddimah

Ibn Khaldun in his book the Muqaddimah displays his theory on history and how to write about history. History to him is based on patterns. These patterns repeat themselves over and over again during the course of history.  A major pattern which dictates much of history is the continuous cycle that is the rise and fall of political power, mainly dynasties. Ibn Khaldun details this continuous cycle or pattern and the factors that determine its course in chapter three of his book. In this extract Ibn Khaldun determines that there is specific “rules” that dynasties or political power exist, succeed or fail upon.  A main point that runs through this excerpt is the existence of “group feeling” or “Asabiyyah.” This group feeling is a bond that exists amongst people and its existence or absence is something that contributes greatly to the rise and fall of political power. Ibn Khaldun’s theory of history and his theory on the rise and fall of political power pretty accurately reflect the history of the Middle East from 610-1400. That being said there is also several deviations from the patterns he lays down, at least in the excerpt of chapter three.

Before summarizing Ibn Khaldun’s theory on the rise and fall of political power his theory on how to write history must be examined. Previously to the excerpt of chapter three he displays his theory on how history must be written. This theory contradicts with how most histories had previously been written. His theory is that histories must be unbiased and show no partisanship towards any creed or opinion. They must also not be written to garner favor with the powerful by praising or spreading their fame because this skews the history and detracts from its value. Both these beliefs on writing history can be seen within the examples of history within the extract that Ibn Khaldun uses to support his points. For instance, in proving that if an empire’s center is captured then the empire collapses Ibn Khalud uses the Persians as an example. In doing so he offers no flowery words and includes no words of biases like would have been included in previous history writings. Also in writing about religion even though he is devoutly religious he discusses Islam as a tool to power and nothing else which shows non biases. The most important part of his theory on how to write history though is to explain the pattern and laws that govern history and create every event. History to him is a science and should be written about as one. This point he asserts within the excerpt by giving numerous individual “laws” that govern the rise and fall of all dynasties.