Abd al-Rahman ibn Khaldun

Abd al-Rahman ibn Khaldun is considered a forerunner of original theories in social sciences and philosophy of history, as well as the author of original views in economics, prefiguring modern contributions.

Born in Tunis on 27 May 1332 /1 Ramaḍān 732
Died in Cairo on 26 Ramaḍān 808/17 March 1406

Abd al-Rahman ibn Khaldun (born in Tunis on 27 May 1332 /1 Ramaḍān 732 and died in Cairo on 26 Ramaḍān 808/17 March 1406) is the well known historian and thinker from Muslim 14th-century North Africa. He is considered a forerunner of original theories in social sciences and philosophy of history, as well as the author of original views in economics, prefiguring modern contributions. In the following detailed and documented article, Muhammad Hozien outlines the bio-bibliography of Ibn Khaldun and presents insights into his theories, especially by comparing his analysis with that of Thucydides, and by characterizing Ibn Khaldun’s view on science and philosophy. For more details on Ibn Khaldun’s economic theories, see our Special Section Ibn Khaldun: Studies on his contribution in economy.