An Analysis of Ibn Khaldun’s Study of Shiism In The Muqaddimah

The scope of discussion in theology (ᶜilm al-kalām) includes the belief and faith of a Muslim in Allah SWT, in the unseen matters such as supernatural matters including the Day of Judgment, heaven, and hell as well as the discussion of sects in Islam or referred to as firaq. Many Muslim scholars discuss the philosophy or principles of the teachings of these sects, especially on faith matters, including Ibn Khaldun. Ibn Khaldun is an Islamic historian and sociologist who has gained recognition in the Muslim and Western worlds. He was famous through his magnum opus entitled the Muqaddimah, which introduces his historical book, Kitāb al-ᶜIbar, which presents the history of Arabs, ᶜAjam (non-Arabs), and Berber. However, the Muqaddimah Ibn Khaldūn is usually known for the theory of the fall and rise of civilization, economy, and education. It turns out that the Muqaddimah also discusses the division of knowledge and study of religions, including the study of firaq al-Islāmiyyah such as al-Ashāᶜirah, al-Khawārij, al-Shīᶜah, al-Mujassimah, and al-Muᶜtazilah. Ibn Khaldun also dedicates one subchapter entitled Shīᶜah tenets concerning the question of the imamate, which is the twenty-seventh subchapter under the third chapter in the Muqaddimah, namely on dynasties, royal authority, the caliphate, government ranks, and all that goes with these things to expounds the concept of imamate according to Shiism. Therefore, this study presents the opinion of Ibn Khaldun on Shiism as stated in the Muqaddimah. Through the method of qualitative study, specifically semantic content analysis on the Muqaddimah Ibn Khaldun on Shiism, there are four main themes regarding the discussion of Shiism in the Muqaddimah that can be discussed in this study. The four main themes are as follows: firstly, the definition of shīᶜah; secondly, sources and types of texts in Shiism; thirdly, sectarianism in Shiism; and fourthly, imamate/leadership. This study describes and analyzes these four themes with the views of the scholars of firaq from Sunnism or Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jamāᶜah and compared with the views of Shiite scholars. There are some criticisms that Ibn Khaldun has given to the Shiite views on the issue of leadership that should be considered exemplary to modern researchers on the study of sects in Islam.