Ibn Khaldun's Sociological Theory

Ibn Khaldun’s sociological theory is based on human community and how he considers it the basis to understand society of Arab. His theory of Al Asabiyyah focus on the strong bond which binds individuals in society together and how it diminishes overtime as society progressed paving way for another set of strong collective group to come. Ibn Khaldun is not against the tenets of religion while assessing society. For him, religion strengthens collective bond among members of society. Whereas For Durkheim religious system is symbolic system and society is visible through symbols. There is symbolic relationship between individual and society with that relation collectivity comes in and that collectivity gives rise to solidarity. Therefore for him religion is the source of understanding the society is through rituals conducted by collective group.

Many western theorist such as Emile Durkheim are believed to be influenced by his theories. According to De Boer
“Ibn Khaldun is the first who tried to explain fully the evolution and progress of society, its causes and factors, and their effects on the formation of man’s mind and sentiment as well as formation of society.”(ibid: 156)
Ibn Khaldun is trying to present a sociological theory through his book Al Muqaddimah where he is concerned with widespread strong collective belief and faith that would enable to understand a society among the Bedouins of the Arab, who used to spend the majority of their time in the desert. Blood relationships and purity of lineage were some of the key characteristics of the Bedouins, due to which, there was an increased sense of solidarity between the members. The fundamental characteristic of his theory is the concept of “Al-asabiyyah” or group feeling. Although it was familiar term in pre Islamic era, but it was Ibn Khaldun’s Muqaddimah which made it popular, where it is described as fundamental bond of human