MudaTalk.com_ The theory of social change is one of the theories that gives birth to new governance and patterns of life in society. Dynamic social movements make the theory of social change important to study.
But did you know about the theory of social change and one of its originators. If you don’t know, don’t worry, now it’s MudaTalks about the two things above. Read more about our review below:
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A Brief Biography of Ibn Khaldun
Ibn Khaldun is a prominent Muslim historian, historiographer and sociologist who lived between the 14th and 15th centuries. Ibn Khaldun is famous as a great scientist with his monumental work entitled ” Muqaddimah “.
His thoughts are the result of direct experience and in-depth observation of society and the state.
Ibn Khaldun was born on May 27, 1332 AD with the full name Abdurrahman Ibn Muhammad Ibn Muhammad Ibn Muhammad Ibn al-Hasan Ibn Jabir in Tunisia.
His family came from Hadramaut but when the Muwahhidun dynasty declined in Andalusia and its power fell into Christian hands, little Ibn Khaldun emigrated to Tunisia.
Ibn Khaldun has a natural intelligence and a high curiosity about the phenomena that occur around him.
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Ibn Khaldun’s education
Since childhood he received a lot of knowledge from his father like a child in general. He learned to read the Qur’an and was fluent in Qira’ah Sab’ah.
Besides that, Ibn Khaldun also studied Tafseer, hadith, fiqh, and Arabic grammar from a number of well-known teachers in Tunisia.
When he was 18 years old, two events happened that caused him to stop studying. First, there was the bubonic plague that occurred in 1345 AD in large parts of the Eastern and Western parts of the world. Countries affected by Samarkand to Maghrib, Italy and most of Europe and Andalusia.
This epidemic took many victims including his parents and some of his teachers, the incident made scientists leave Tunisia and move to Northwest Africa.
This resulted in Ibn Khaldun was forced to stop studying and turn his attention to finding a place to live.
Second, the relocation, after several travels to various countries Ibn Khaldun found a place to live and what is more gratifying he managed to occupy an important position in the government of his new place of residence.
His early career started from serving the government of Abu Muhammad Ibn Tafrakin in 1349 AD by occupying a position as a writer. This position also requires expertise in the field of writing.
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Ibn Khaldun Political Career
In 1351 AD Amir Qusainthiang attacked Tunisia which caused the ruler and Ibn Khaldun to flee to Baskarah. This move is another new chapter in his life, in which he is more seriously involved in politics.
In Baskarah Ibn Khaldun occupied the positions of secretary to the sultan, a member of the scientific council and the sultan’s bodyguard on the way to prayer.
In 1362 AD he traveled to Andalusia, Gilbaltar and Granada, it was in Granada that Ibn Khaldun was appointed secretary and speechwriter of the sultan. In 1364 AD went to Bijayah, he was trusted as Prime Minister and became a Lecturer in Law.
Departing from the odyssey and experience as well as knowledge from various disciplines Ibn Khaldun matured and solid as an intellectual.
His experience studying religion, linguistics, and philosophy contributed greatly to his thinking and theory.
Theory of Social Change and State Formation
The theory of social change is the result of Ibn Khaldun’s in-depth observation of the character of the Bedouin in Baskarah. For him, society is always changing and has different historical roots. In addition, they have norms, customs and rules that they must obey.
Usually people know civilization and then oriented towards progress. Ibn Khaldun has two views in the context of social change, namely:
1. Theory of Bedouin Society and City Society
Ibn Khaldun explains in his very monumental and famous work entitled Muqaddimah. It evaluates human beings as social beings who will still need each other in daily life.
Ibn Khaldun divides two social groups with different characters. First, badawa is a society that lives and settles in the interior and is primitive.
Second, Hadharah is a society that tends to live in the city, certainly a society that already has civilization.
The difference in their place of residence certainly affects their lifestyle. Bedouin people live with simplicity, a high level of piety, courage, and have strong solidarity (ashabiyah).
Ibn Khaldun argues that this is the condition of power. Meanwhile, urban people live in luxury and are more individualistic.
As a result, causing a lack of solidarity bonds, the city community will experience destruction which then the Bedouin community will occupy the city.
Ibn Khaldun is of the view that the emergence of a power building will lead to anarchy, then this anarchy will destroy civilization.
This phenomenon will then experience a change from primitive or nomadic life, ruralism to hadharah life or urbanism.
The division of the two societies according to Ibn Khaldun’s perspective is inseparable from the influence of the changes he has experienced.
To be able to see further related to his thoughts on social change and the development of human civilization, it is necessary to see that Ibn Khaldun once occupied a power, was appointed as an imam until he lived in prison.
Ashabiyah Theory and Cycle Theory
The concept of Ibn Khaldun in analyzing a political and state issue using the Ashabiyah concept, in his view ashabiyah is the key to the beginning of the birth of a country.
If the ashabiyah element is weakened, then the country will experience destruction. Ibn Khaldun’s theory of social change is still an inspiration for contemporary political movements.
Ibn Khaldun classified ashabiyah theory into two, namely ashabiyah which has a positive meaning, which refers to the concept of brotherhood.
In the History of Civilization this concept forms the social solidarity of the Islamic community to work together and put aside personal interests.
While the second ashabiyah which has a negative meaning is giving rise to loyalty and fanaticism that is not based on reality.
This second meaning is not desired by the Islamic government system because it will cause the blurring of truth values in accordance with religious principles.
Ibn Khaldun’s views on society
Ibn Khaldun’s view of society is analyzed with a sociological approach. He illustrates with human nature.
That humans are living beings who are in groups and need each other and also have the same goal so that ashabiyah is formed.
According to him the importance of ashabiyah because it is based on several things, namely the theory of the establishment of a state with regard to tribal reality.
Where ethnicity can be seen from a psychological point of view, it is impossible for humans to establish a state if there is no unity and mutual solidarity.
In addition, in forming a country will pass through various obstacles and require a strong struggle. If Imamat is not able to subdue the opponent, it will result in the destruction of a country, so it takes great strength to make it happen.
Ibn Khaldun sparked a theory regarding the stages of the rise and fall of a country or civilization, namely:
First, the Success Stage. The stage where the state authority has the support of the people (ashabiyah) who succeeded in overthrowing the sovereignty of the previous dynasty.
Second, Tyranny Level. At this level, the ruler acts arbitrarily against his people and desires to control everything.
Third, the Prosperous Stage. Where when sovereignty has been enjoyed, the ruler is more focused on efforts to build his country.
Fourth, the Tranquil and Peaceful Stage. At this stage the ruler is satisfied with everything that has been built by his predecessor.
Fifth, the Luxury Stage. This stage is the stage towards destruction, where the ruler becomes the destroyer of the legacy of his predecessors, emphasizing worldly desires and deceit.
That’s the review of an inspirational figure this time about Ibn Khaldun ‘s theory of social change , happy reading