Abstract
Ibn Khaldûn has been born in Tunis (1332 A.D.). He died in Cairo (1406), where he was buried. He lived the life of a statesman, a professor and a judge. His fame, in our age, comes from a book called " Introduction " (Muqaddima) to world history. This extremely important work has been re cently translated into English by Franz Rosenthal (1958) and into French by Vincent Monteil (Beyrouth 1968/Paris 1978), from the best manuscript available in Istanbul (n° 1936 in Atif Efendi's library). Highly praised by A.J. Toynbee (A Study in History, London, 1935, III, 322), it is a master piece which deals with every topic conceivable (history, philosophy, cul ture, religion etc.). In fact, Ibn Khaldûn is a forerunner in the realm of social and human sciences, i.e. in sociology. Even now, his Opus Magnum should be read as a modern author's, whose ideas and thought remain valuable for all time.