Ibn Khaldun’s Muqaddimah: a book ahead of its time
Written as an introduction to a history, the Muqaddimah became more famous than the history itself.
An introduction that outgrew its book
ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Khaldūn wrote the Muqaddimah around 1377 CE as the opening to his large work of history. Over time, it became the part most read and discussed.
Testing the news
Ibn Khaldun urged historians to examine reports against what is possible in human society, rather than accepting them as transmitted. This early call for method still applies to the stories we share today.
ʿAṣabiyya and the cycle of states
One of his best-known ideas is ʿaṣabiyya, the solidarity that binds a group and gives it the strength to build a state, and how it weakens across generations as luxury grows.
Why it is still read
Many scholars see in the Muqaddimah early seeds of sociology, economics and the philosophy of history, and it continues to be read and taught worldwide.
How to read it today
Rather than reading cover to cover, treat it as a set of connected ideas: a method for handling reports, a theory of the rise and fall of states, and wide observations on economy, crafts and education. Note a modern example for each idea you read.
Original Vemetto explainer in English, adapted from our Arabic page. Last reviewed: 9 November 2026.
Questions and practical notes
Questions for discussion
- Is ʿaṣabiyya still useful for understanding modern societies?
- How can his method of testing reports apply to social media?
- Where does the cycle-of-states theory stop being a good generalisation?
Frequently asked questions
When was it written?
Around 1377 CE, as an introduction to his history.
Is Ibn Khaldun the founder of sociology?
Many scholars see early sociological thinking in the Muqaddimah, though how to describe this is debated.
Where can I read it?
Critical editions exist, and English translations are widely available in libraries.