A critical study of Taha Hussein’s reading on Ibn Khaldun’s thoughts (Ibn Khaldun, A Modern Sociologist or an Ashari thinker?)

Abstract

The present work aims to study and critically analyse Taha Hussein’s reading on Ibn Khaldun’s thoughts. To this end, by employing the documentary and historical methods, we give a comprehensive review and analysis of the Taha Hussein’s readings on Ibn Khaldun’s contemplations. Furthermore, we evaluate and criticize Taha Hussein’s account of Ibn Khaldun based on the theoretical, social and intellectual backgrounds of both. It is argued that Taha Hussein has carried out his critiques from his modern and positivistic point of view, while Ibn Khaldun had been highly influenced by the Ashari tradition atmosphere of his time which comprises a completely distinguished idea on society, history, causality, etc., than the modern one. Consequently, our analysis leads to the conclusion that Taha Hussein’s critiques dismiss Ibn Khaldun's distinctive social and intellectual backgrounds and hence in many cases appear to be arguably imprecise and incorrect. In other words, Ibn Khaldun’s works and thoughts have to be read and perceived based on his own Ashari worldview.

Keywords

• taha hussein
• ibn khaldun
• positivism
• ashari school
• social thoughts