Who was a Historian, justice, philosopher as well as Politician?

The correct answer to this question is Abdur Rehman bin Khaldun (commonly known as Ibn Khaldun).

Abdur Rehman bin Khaldun was a 14th-century polymath whose influence stretches across the disciplines of historiography, sociology, economics, and law. Born in 1332 in Tunis, his life was a whirlwind of academic pursuit and high-stakes political involvement. Unlike many scholars who remained confined to libraries, Ibn Khaldun was a man of action who navigated the turbulent courts of North Africa and Andalusia, serving as a diplomat, a prime minister, and a supreme judge.

A Career in Law and Justice

While the world primarily remembers him for his philosophical writings, Ibn Khaldun was a highly respected legal authority. He served as the Chief Maliki Judge (Qazi) in Cairo, Egypt, multiple times. His approach to justice was known for being rigorous and uncompromising. In the 14th century, the position of a Chief Justice was not merely judicial but deeply political, requiring a person to navigate the complexities of Mamluk rule. His legal career provided him with a practical understanding of how laws govern human behavior, which he later integrated into his theories on social organization.

The Political Strategist and Diplomat

Ibn Khaldun’s political career was as volatile as the era he lived in. He served in various capacities for rulers in Tunis, Fez, Tlemcen, and Granada. One of the most famous episodes of his political life occurred in 1401 when he was sent to negotiate with the Mongol conqueror, Tamerlane (Timur), outside the walls of Damascus. During their meetings, Ibn Khaldun used his vast knowledge of history and geography to impress Timur, eventually securing safe passage for the city's inhabitants. This experience as a "politician-diplomat" allowed him to observe the rise and fall of dynasties firsthand, providing the raw data for his academic masterpieces.

The "Muqaddimah" and Historiography

In 1377, while seeking refuge in the Castle of Ibn Salama in Algeria, he wrote the "Muqaddimah" (The Introduction). This work revolutionized how history was written. Before Ibn Khaldun, history was often a list of dates and names. He transformed it into a science by looking for the underlying "why" behind events. He introduced the concept of Asabiyyah (social cohesion or group solidarity), explaining that the strength of a civilization depends on the unity of its people. As a philosopher, he argued that climate, economics, and culture all play a role in how a society evolves.