Abd al-Rahman Ibn Khaldun
Philosophy & Thought Historical Archive

Abd al-Rahman Ibn Khaldun

عبد الرحمن بن خلدون (Known as "Ibn Khaldun")
Philosopher, Sociologist, Historian, Jurist
Born May 27, 1332 Tunis, Tunisia
Passed Away Mar 19, 1406 Cairo, Egypt
Lifespan 73 years old
Notice / Correction
"Past is like water to water with the future. Look to history to understand the rise and fall of nations."

Archival Overview

Pioneering polymath widely regarded as the foundational father of sociology, historiography, demography, and cultural philosophy. Renowned globally for his seminal work, the Muqaddimah.

Biographical Record

Ibn Khaldun (1332–1406) was born in Tunis into an Andalusian family of high official standing. Throughout a life of scholarly rigor and diplomatic agility across North Africa and Al-Andalus, he developed the concept of Asabiyyah (social cohesion), examining how civilizations rise, consolidate power, and inevitably decay through generational cycles.

His Muqaddimah (Prolegomena) remains one of humanity's most profound explorations of economic surplus, urban sociology, and historical causality, preceding modern European sociology by centuries.

Key Life Milestones

May 1332

Birth in Tunis

Born into an eminent scholarly family of Andalusian origin.

1377–1378

Writing of the Muqaddimah

Composed his magnum opus in the fortress of Qal'at Ibn Salama near Oran.

1384

Grand Qadi of Cairo

Appointed Chief Maliki Judge at Al-Azhar in Mamluk Cairo.

1401

Historic Encounter with Tamerlane

Held famous diplomatic dialogues with Timur at the gates of Damascus.

March 1406

Death in Cairo

Laid to rest at the Sufi cemetery outside Bab an-Nasr in Cairo.

Memorial Guestbook & Tributes

2 messages recorded

Leave a Respectful Tribute

Dr. Tarek Al-Masri 2 hours ago
Your legacy lives on in all of us

Your deep analysis of human civilizations continues to inspire sociologists and thinkers in every corner of the world six centuries later. A truly timeless intellect.

Soran K. 2 hours ago
Forever remembered and cherished

رحمة الله على رائد الفكر وعالم الاجتماع الأول. فخر الحضارة الإنسانية جمعاء.

Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial
Bab an-Nasr Sufi Cemetery
,
GPS: 30.0543, 31.2644
View on Memory Atlas
Archival Standards PastLegacies adheres to strict neutral biographical guidelines and legal standards of remembrance. Next-of-kin may request modifications or removal at any time via our expedited process.