WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.469 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:05.469 --> 00:00:07.469 A summary of the book 00:00:07.469 --> 00:00:09.470 Ramadan: 00:00:09.470 --> 00:00:11.470 Events and Lessons. 00:00:11.470 --> 00:00:16.260 The birth of Ibn Khaldun 00:00:16.260 --> 00:00:18.260 and his death. 00:00:18.260 --> 00:00:22.379 Chronology: 00:00:22.379 --> 00:00:24.379 He was born at the beginning of the month of Ramadan 00:00:24.379 --> 00:00:28.379 in the year 732 AH. 00:00:28.379 --> 00:00:30.379 His death 00:00:30.379 --> 00:00:32.380 occurred with four days remaining in Ramadan 00:00:32.380 --> 00:00:34.380 in the year 808 00:00:34.380 --> 00:00:40.219 AH. 00:00:40.219 --> 00:00:42.219 Ibn Khaldun: 00:00:42.219 --> 00:00:44.219 A personality whose fame spread far and wide, 00:00:44.219 --> 00:00:46.219 whose reputation became widespread, 00:00:46.219 --> 00:00:48.219 and who received a great deal 00:00:48.219 --> 00:00:50.219 of attention and celebration. 00:00:50.219 --> 00:00:52.219 This was not only 00:00:52.219 --> 00:00:54.219 from Muslims, 00:00:54.219 --> 00:00:56.219 but was also celebrated by 00:00:56.219 --> 00:00:58.219 writers, philosophers, 00:00:58.219 --> 00:01:00.219 and non-Muslim thinkers. 00:01:00.219 --> 00:01:02.380 This great interest 00:01:02.380 --> 00:01:04.379 was not 00:01:04.379 --> 00:01:06.379 due to the sheer number of works 00:01:06.379 --> 00:01:08.379 that Ibn Khaldun left behind, 00:01:08.379 --> 00:01:10.379 but rather due to the emergence of his unique genius 00:01:10.379 --> 00:01:12.379 in his book, 00:01:12.379 --> 00:01:14.379 *The Muqaddimah* (The Introduction), 00:01:14.379 --> 00:01:16.379 which revealed his breadth of knowledge, 00:01:16.379 --> 00:01:18.379 depth of analysis and critique, 00:01:18.379 --> 00:01:20.379 and extensive 00:01:20.379 --> 00:01:22.379 mastery of the sciences, 00:01:22.379 --> 00:01:24.379 along with his brilliant pioneering work 00:01:24.379 --> 00:01:26.379 in establishing sociology, 00:01:26.379 --> 00:01:28.379 as well as theories and principles 00:01:28.379 --> 00:01:30.379 related to the sciences of economics 00:01:30.379 --> 00:01:32.659 and politics. 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:34.659 It is not viewed favorably by all parties; 00:01:34.659 --> 00:01:36.659 rather, it has become 00:01:36.659 --> 00:01:38.659 a subject of controversy among various groups 00:01:38.659 --> 00:01:40.659 regarding his opinions, 00:01:40.659 --> 00:01:42.659 his thought, his conduct, 00:01:42.659 --> 00:01:44.659 and his relationships with 00:01:44.659 --> 00:01:46.659 historical figures that were not viewed favorably. 00:01:46.659 --> 00:01:48.730 So much so that al-Shawkani, 00:01:48.730 --> 00:01:50.730 after citing 00:01:50.730 --> 00:01:52.730 some of what was said about Ibn Khaldun, 00:01:52.730 --> 00:01:54.730 said: 00:01:54.730 --> 00:01:56.730 "Allah knows the truth best. 00:01:56.730 --> 00:01:58.730 If it is true that 00:01:58.730 --> 00:02:00.730 those noble words came from him, 00:02:00.730 --> 00:02:02.730 then he is among those whom Allah has led astray 00:02:02.730 --> 00:02:04.730 despite his knowledge." 00:02:04.730 --> 00:02:08.069 The name of Ibn Khaldun, 00:02:08.069 --> 00:02:10.069 his lineage, and his birth, 00:02:10.069 --> 00:02:12.580 may Allah have mercy on him: 00:02:12.580 --> 00:02:14.580 He is ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Muhammad 00:02:14.580 --> 00:02:16.580 ibn Muhammad ibn Khaldun 00:02:16.580 --> 00:02:18.580 ibn al-Hasan ibn Muhammad ibn Jabir 00:02:18.580 --> 00:02:20.580 ibn Muhammad ibn Ibrahim 00:02:20.580 --> 00:02:22.580 ibn Muhammad, 00:02:22.580 --> 00:02:24.580 Wali al-Din, 00:02:24.580 --> 00:02:26.580 al-Ishbili al-Tunisi, 00:02:26.580 --> 00:02:28.580 then al-Qahiri, 00:02:28.580 --> 00:02:30.580 al-Maliki. 00:02:30.580 --> 00:02:39.580 The social scientist and researcher, Abu Zayd al-Hadrami, a descendant of Wa'il ibn Hujr. 00:02:39.580 --> 00:02:51.349 He was born at the beginning of Ramadan in the year 732 AH in Tunis. His upbringing and education, may Allah have mercy on him: 00:02:51.349 --> 00:03:00.699 Ibn Khaldun grew up in an academic environment and received a diverse education, including both religious and worldly sciences, 00:03:00.699 --> 00:03:08.930 as well as transmitted and rational sciences, taking a share of every discipline. Al-Sakhawi said: 00:03:08.930 --> 00:03:16.930 "He memorized the Qur'an, the two Shatibiyyah poems, the *Mukhtasar* of Ibn al-Hajib on *fiqh*, and *al-Tashil* on grammar." 00:03:16.930 --> 00:03:24.930 He studied *fiqh* under Abu ‘Abd Allah Muhammad ibn ‘Abd Allah al-Jiyani and Abu al-Qasim Muhammad ibn al-Qusayr. 00:03:24.930 --> 00:03:30.930 He read *al-Tahdhib* by Abu Sa‘id al-Baradhi‘i under him, and studied *fiqh* with him. 00:03:30.930 --> 00:03:37.930 He frequented the circle of the Chief Judge Abu ‘Abd Allah Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Salam and benefited from him. 00:03:37.930 --> 00:03:42.930 From him and from Abu ‘Abd Allah al-Wadiyashi, he heard *hadith*. 00:03:42.930 --> 00:03:50.930 He wrote in his own hand that he heard *Sahih al-Bukhari* from Abu al-Barakat al-Bulqini, and some of it by authorization (*ijazah*). 00:03:50.930 --> 00:03:56.930 He studied the *Muwatta'* under Ibn ‘Abd al-Salam and *Sahih Muslim* under al-Wadiyashi. 00:03:56.930 --> 00:04:03.930 He learned the seven canonical readings, both individually and collectively; he even completed a full recitation for Ya‘qub 00:04:03.930 --> 00:04:09.930 under the scholar Abu ‘Abd Allah Muhammad ibn Sa‘d ibn Nazal al-Ansari. 00:04:09.930 --> 00:04:17.930 He presented the Shatibiyyah and Arabic grammar to him, as well as to his father, Abu ‘Abd Allah Muhammad ibn al-‘Arabi al-Hasari, 00:04:18.930 --> 00:04:25.930 Abu ‘Abd Allah ibn Bahr, the reciter Abu ‘Abd Allah Muhammad ibn al-Shawwas al-Zawawi, 00:04:25.930 --> 00:04:32.930 and Abu ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Qassar. He kept the company of al-‘Ala’ Abu ‘Abd Allah al-Ishbili and benefited from him. 00:04:32.930 --> 00:04:37.959 He also studied under Abu Muhammad ‘Abd al-Muhaymin al-Hadrami 00:04:37.959 --> 00:04:45.959 and Abu ‘Abd Allah Muhammad ibn Ibrahim al-Abuli, the master of rational sciences in the Maghrib, among others. 00:04:45.959 --> 00:04:52.959 He devoted himself to literature, writing, and calligraphy, learning these from his father and others. 00:04:52.959 --> 00:05:00.959 He excelled in all of these, memorizing the *Mu‘allaqat*, the *Hamasah* of al-A‘lam, the poetry of Habib ibn Aws, 00:05:00.959 --> 00:05:10.889 a portion of the poetry of al-Mutanabbi, and *Siqt al-Zand* by al-Ma‘arri. His travels and positions, may Allah have mercy on him: 00:05:10.889 --> 00:05:16.050 Ibn Khaldun traveled through many regions in the East and the West, 00:05:16.050 --> 00:05:19.050 to the point that he authored a book about his travels. 00:05:19.050 --> 00:05:26.050 In every place he stayed, he was met with honor and hospitality by its rulers and people. 00:05:26.050 --> 00:05:30.050 Conversely, he also encountered some harm and trials. 00:05:30.050 --> 00:05:35.110 Al-Sakhawi said: "He became attached to royal service, 00:05:35.110 --> 00:05:39.110 and held the position of secretary for the ruler of Tunis." 00:05:39.110 --> 00:05:43.110 Then he traveled in the year 753 to Fez, 00:05:43.110 --> 00:05:46.110 where he came before its sultan, Abu ‘Inan. 00:05:46.110 --> 00:05:50.110 He was then tested and imprisoned for about two years. 00:05:50.110 --> 00:05:55.110 Later, he served as the private secretary for Abu Salim, the brother of Abu ‘Inan, 00:05:55.110 --> 00:05:58.110 and also oversaw the redress of grievances (*mazalim*). 00:05:58.110 --> 00:06:00.110 Then he entered Andalusia, 00:06:00.110 --> 00:06:04.110 arriving in Granada in early Rabi‘ al-Awwal 00:06:04.110 --> 00:06:06.110 in the year 764. 00:06:06.110 --> 00:06:09.110 Its sultan, Ibn al-Ahmar, received him upon his arrival 00:06:09.110 --> 00:06:12.110 and included him among his council members. 00:06:12.110 --> 00:06:16.110 He served as his envoy to the leader of the Franks in Seville, 00:06:16.110 --> 00:06:18.110 who honored and respected him, 00:06:18.110 --> 00:06:22.110 supported him, and he fulfilled the mission he was tasked with. 00:06:22.110 --> 00:06:26.110 Then he traveled in the year 766 to Bejaia, 00:06:26.110 --> 00:06:30.110 where its ruler entrusted him with the administration of his kingdom for a time. 00:06:30.110 --> 00:06:34.110 He then moved to Tlemcen at the invitation of its ruler, 00:06:34.110 --> 00:06:37.110 and stayed in Wadi al-‘Arab for a period. 00:06:37.110 --> 00:06:40.110 Then he traveled from Biskra to Fez, 00:06:40.110 --> 00:06:42.110 but was robbed on the way, 00:06:42.110 --> 00:06:45.110 and the ruler there died before his arrival. 00:06:45.110 --> 00:06:49.110 Despite this, he stayed there for about two years. 00:06:49.110 --> 00:06:52.110 Then he traveled to Andalusia, 00:06:52.110 --> 00:06:54.110 then returned to Tlemcen, 00:06:54.110 --> 00:06:57.110 where he stayed for four years. 00:06:57.110 --> 00:07:01.110 He then departed in Rajab of the year 780 for Tunis, 00:07:01.110 --> 00:07:04.110 staying there from Sha‘ban 00:07:04.110 --> 00:07:06.110 until he requested permission to perform Hajj, 00:07:06.110 --> 00:07:08.110 which was granted to him. 00:07:08.110 --> 00:07:11.110 He crossed the sea to Alexandria, 00:07:11.110 --> 00:07:15.110 then arrived in the Egyptian lands in Dhu al-Qa‘dah 00:07:15.110 --> 00:07:17.110 of the year 784. 00:07:17.110 --> 00:07:20.110 He performed Hajj and then returned to Egypt. 00:07:20.110 --> 00:07:23.110 Its people welcomed him and honored him, 00:07:23.110 --> 00:07:26.110 frequently keeping his company and visiting him. 00:07:26.110 --> 00:07:30.110 He even began teaching at the Al-Azhar Mosque for a time. 00:07:30.110 --> 00:07:33.110 He kept the company of al-Tanbugha al-Jubani, 00:07:33.110 --> 00:07:37.110 who took care of him until al-Zahir Barquq appointed him 00:07:37.110 --> 00:07:40.110 to teach at the Qamhiyyah school in Egypt, 00:07:40.110 --> 00:07:43.110 and then as the Maliki Chief Judge in the Egyptian lands 00:07:43.110 --> 00:07:47.110 in Jumada al-Akhirah of the year 786. 00:07:47.110 --> 00:07:49.110 He became stern with people, 00:07:49.110 --> 00:07:52.110 to the point that he would not stand for any of the judges 00:07:52.110 --> 00:07:55.110 when they entered to greet him, 00:07:55.110 --> 00:07:58.110 though he would apologize to those who reproached him for it in general. 00:07:58.110 --> 00:08:03.110 He took severe measures against many of the prominent notaries and witnesses, 00:08:03.110 --> 00:08:05.110 and began punishing them with slaps, 00:08:05.110 --> 00:08:07.110 which he called *al-zajj* (the reprimand). 00:08:07.110 --> 00:08:10.110 If he became angry with someone, he would say, 00:08:10.110 --> 00:08:11.110 "Reprimand him!" 00:08:11.110 --> 00:08:14.110 and he would be slapped until his neck turned red. 00:08:14.110 --> 00:08:16.110 It is said 00:08:16.110 --> 00:08:20.110 that when the people of the Maghrib heard of his appointment as judge, 00:08:20.110 --> 00:08:24.110 they were astonished and attributed the Egyptians' choice to a lack of knowledge, 00:08:24.110 --> 00:08:27.110 to the extent that Ibn ‘Arafah said: 00:08:27.110 --> 00:08:31.110 "We used to consider the position of judge the greatest of offices, 00:08:31.110 --> 00:08:33.110 but when this man took it, 00:08:33.110 --> 00:08:36.110 we considered it the opposite of that." 00:08:36.110 --> 00:08:38.139 He was dismissed and then reinstated, 00:08:38.139 --> 00:08:40.139 and this happened repeatedly 00:08:40.139 --> 00:08:42.139 until he died while serving as a judge, 00:08:42.139 --> 00:08:44.139 may Allah forgive him. 00:08:44.139 --> 00:08:48.419 His works, may Allah have mercy on him: 00:08:48.419 --> 00:08:52.549 Ibn Khaldun did not busy himself with prolific writing, 00:08:52.549 --> 00:08:56.549 perhaps due to his preoccupation with his duties and travels, 00:08:56.549 --> 00:08:59.549 or for other reasons. 00:08:59.549 --> 00:09:01.549 However, his book, *The Muqaddimah*, 00:09:02.549 --> 00:09:05.580 sufficed him in place of many other works. 00:09:05.580 --> 00:09:07.580 Among his works: 00:09:07.580 --> 00:09:09.580 First, 00:09:09.580 --> 00:09:12.580 *Al-‘Ibar wa Diwan al-Mubtada' wa al-Khabar* 00:09:12.580 --> 00:09:15.580 *fi Tarikh al-‘Arab wa al-‘Ajam wa al-Barbar* (The Book of Lessons and Archive of Early and Subsequent History of the Arabs, Persians, and Berbers). 00:09:15.580 --> 00:09:19.580 It begins with the *Muqaddimah*, for which he is famous. 00:09:19.580 --> 00:09:21.580 Al-Shawkani said: 00:09:21.580 --> 00:09:26.580 "He authored a great history in seven massive volumes, 00:09:26.580 --> 00:09:29.580 in which he demonstrated eloquence and brilliance." 00:09:29.580 --> 00:09:31.580 Al-Sakhawi said: 00:09:31.580 --> 00:09:33.580 "Among his works, 00:09:33.580 --> 00:09:36.580 besides his prose and poetic compositions, 00:09:36.580 --> 00:09:39.580 which are like magic, 00:09:39.580 --> 00:09:41.580 is the great history 00:09:41.580 --> 00:09:43.580 titled *Al-‘Ibar* 00:09:43.580 --> 00:09:46.580 on the history of kings, nations, and Berbers. 00:09:46.580 --> 00:09:49.649 Its introduction contains all the sciences, 00:09:49.649 --> 00:09:53.649 and the tongues of the eloquent have failed to reach its standard, 00:09:53.649 --> 00:09:55.649 so they neither go nor hover near it." 00:09:55.649 --> 00:09:57.649 By my life, 00:09:57.649 --> 00:10:01.649 it is one of those works whose titles have become famous 00:10:01.649 --> 00:10:03.649 in contrast to their contents, 00:10:03.649 --> 00:10:06.649 like *Al-Aghani* (The Songs) by al-Isbahani— 00:10:06.649 --> 00:10:10.649 he named it *The Songs*, yet it contains a bit of everything; 00:10:10.649 --> 00:10:12.649 and *The History* by al-Khatib— 00:10:12.649 --> 00:10:14.649 he named it *The History of Baghdad*, 00:10:14.649 --> 00:10:17.649 yet it is a history of the world; 00:10:17.649 --> 00:10:20.649 and *Hilyat al-Awliya'* (The Adornment of the Saints) by Abu Nu‘aym— 00:10:20.649 --> 00:10:22.649 he named it *The Adornment of the Saints*, 00:10:22.649 --> 00:10:27.509 yet it contains a vast array of many things. 00:10:27.509 --> 00:10:29.509 His death, may Allah have mercy on him: 00:10:29.509 --> 00:10:32.539 He died suddenly on Wednesday, 00:10:32.539 --> 00:10:35.539 with four days remaining in Ramadan, 00:10:35.539 --> 00:10:38.539 in the year 808 AH, 00:10:38.539 --> 00:10:40.539 in Cairo, 00:10:40.539 --> 00:10:42.539 and was buried in the Sufi cemetery 00:10:42.539 --> 00:10:44.539 outside Bab al-Nasr. 00:10:44.539 --> 00:10:50.690 Ramadan: Events and Lessons.