cAbd al-Rahman b. Muhammad Ibn Khaldun
(1332 - 1406 A.C.E. / 732 - 808 A.H.)
He is `Abd al-Rahman bin Muhammad bin Muhammad bin Muhammad bin Al-Hasan bin Jabir bin Muhammad bin Ibrahim bin Abdurahman bin Ibn Khaldun. According to Ibn Khaldun, his ancestors originated in Hadramut, Yemen. He also traced his ancestry (through another genealogy, as supplied by Ibn Hazem who looked to his grandfather who was the first to enter Andalusia) back to Wail ibn Hajar, one of the oldest Yemeni tribes. In either case, the genealogy points to his Arab origin, although scholars do question the authenticity of both reports due to the political climate at the time of the reports. 
Ibn Khaldun was born in Tunis on May 27, 1332 A.C.E. (Ramadan 1, 732 A.H.).  He received a traditional education that was typical for one of his family’s rank and status. He learned first at the hands of his father, who was a scholarly person, not involved in politics like his ancestors. He memorized the Qur’an by heart, learned grammar, jurisprudence, hadith, rhetoric, philology, and poetry. He reached a certain proficiency in these subjects and received certification in them. In his autobiography, he mentions the names of the scholars with whom he studied. 
Ibn Khaldun continued his studies until the age of nineteen, when the great plague swept over the lands from Samarkand to Mauritania. It was after this plague that Ibn Khaldun received his first public assignment, marking the start of his political career, and forever changing his life. 
Ibn Tafrakin, the ruler of Tunis, called Ibn Khaldun to be the seal-bearer of his captive Sultan Abu Ishaq. It is here that Ibn Khaldun got a first-hand look at the inner workings of court politics and the weakness of the government. Before long he had the opportunity to leave Tunis.
In 1352 A.C.E. (713 A.H.) Abu Ziad, the Emir of Constantine, marched his forces on Tunis. Ibn Khaldun accompanied Ibn Tafrakin with the forces that warded off Abu Ziad’s attack. Tunis was defeated and Ibn Khaldun escaped to Aba, where he lived with al-Mowahideen. He moved back and forth through Algeria and settled in Biskra. 
At the same time, in Morocco, Sultan Abu Enan, who had recently settled on the throne of his father, was on his way to conquer Algeria. Ibn Khaldun traveled to Tlemcen to meet the sultan, and mentions that the sultan honored him and sent him with his chamberlain Ibn Abi Amr to Bougie to witness its submission to Sultan Abu Enan.
Ibn Khaldun stayed in the company of the chamberlain while the sultan moved back to the capital, Fez. In 1354 A.C.E. (755 A.H.) Ibn Khaldun accepted the invitation to join the council of ‘ulama and moved to Fez. He was eventually promoted to the post of seal-bearer and accepted it reluctantly, as it was inferior to the posts once occupied by his ancestors.
Ibn Khaldun used his stay in Fez to further his studies. Fez at this time was a capital of Morocco and enjoyed the company of many scholars from all over North Africa and Andalusia. Ibn Khaldun was an ambitious young man and at this point of his life he began to engage in court politics. He was promoted from one position to another.  He also conspired with Abu Abdullah Muhammad, the dethroned ruler of Bougie who was captive in Fez at that time. Abu Abdullah was from the Banu Hafs that were patrons of Ibn Khaldun’s family. Sultan Abu Enan found out about the conspiracy and imprisoned Ibn Khaldun. Abu Abdullah was released from prison and Ibn Khaldun lingered on for two years. Sultan Abu Enan fell ill and died before fulfilling his promise to release Ibn Khaldun. The Wazir al-Hassan ibn Omar ordered the release of Ibn Khaldun, who was then restored to his former position. 
The political climate was tense and Ibn Khaldun again tested his fate and conspired against the wazir with al-Mansur. This loyalty was short-lived as well. He conspired with Sultan Abu Salem who overthrew al-Mansur. Ibn Khaldun took the position of secretary (literally, “repository of secrets” Amin as-Sir). 
Here Ibn Khaldun excelled in his position and composed many poems. He oc