Rise and Fall of Nations: An Islamic Historical Framework.
Ten Principles primarily based on the Holy Quran and Ibn Khaldūn writings.
1. ʿAṢABIYYAH (Social Cohesion and Collective Purpose)
Ibn Khaldūn identifies ʿaṣabiyyah—strong group solidarity—as the primary force behind the rise of dynasties. It unites people in sacrifice, discipline, and shared struggle.
And, when comfort, luxury, and internal rivalry weaken ʿaṣabiyyah, the dynasty loses its ability to defend itself or command loyalty.
In his renowned book, Muqaddimah, he states: “Dynasty has its origin in group feeling.”
2. MORAL AND RELIGIOUS LEGITIMACY
Successful rule is grounded in moral authority and religious values, not coercion alone. The Qur’an repeatedly links power with righteousness and obedience to Allah. The verse 90 of Chapter 16 of the Holy Quran states:
“Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.”
Then, when rulers abandon justice and divine guidance, legitimacy erodes—even if power remains temporarily.
3. JUSTICE (ʿADL) AS THE FOUNDATION OF SOVEREIGNTY
Islamic scholars famously state:
“Sovereignty endures with justice, even if disbelief exists; it does not endure with oppression, even if faith exists.”
Ibn Khaldūn held injustice to be the swiftest cause of ruin.
Oppression (ẓulm), corruption, and arbitrary taxation destroy productivity and loyalty. Speaking about past civilizations, the Holy Qur’an in Chapter 18, verse 59 states:
“And those cities - We destroyed them when they wronged, and We made for their destruction an appointed time.”
4. ASCETICISM AND DISCIPLINE IN EARLY GENERATIONS
The founders of dynasties often live simply, embodying courage, self-restraint, and accountability. These are the qualities that sustain authority.
Later generations grow accustomed to luxury, weakening resolve and competence. Verse 59 of Chapter 19 of the Quran states:
“But there came after them successors who neglected prayer and pursued desires; so they are going to meet evil.”
5. THE CYCLE OF POWER (DAWRAT AL-MULK)
Ibn Khaldūn observed dynasties pass through predictable stages:
- Conquest and unity
- Consolidation
- Prosperity
- Complacency
- Decline and replacement
This cycle may reflect the Qur’anic concept of alternation of power as stated in verse 140 of Chapter 3:
“If a wound should touch you - there has already touched the [opposing] people with a wound similar to it. And these days [of varying conditions] We alternate among the people so that Allah may make evident those who believe and [may] take to Himself from among you martyrs - and Allah does not like the wrongdoers.”
6. WEALTH AS A TEST, NOT A GUARANTEE
Economic strength accompanies rise but is never decisive on its own.
“Wealth and children are but a trial.” (Qur’an 64:15)
When wealth leads to arrogance, hoarding, and exploitation, it accelerates downfall.
7. OBEDIENCE TO DIVINE LAWS (SUNAN ALLĀH)
The Qur’an emphasizes that Allah’s laws in history are unchanging:
“You will never find any change in the way of Allah.” (Qur’an 33:62)
Nations rise by aligning with these moral and social laws; they fall when they violate them—regardless of religious labels.
8. CORRUPTION OF LEADERSHIP AND INSTITUTIONS
Early rulers govern directly and responsibly. Later rulers delegate power to courtiers, mercenaries, or corrupt bureaucracies.
Decision-making becomes detached from reality and public welfare. A verse begins as:
“And when We intend to destroy a city, We command its affluent—but they defiantly disobey therein ...” (Qur’an 17:16)
9. LOSS OF AMĀNAH (TRUST)
Power in Islam is a trust, not ownership.
“Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing.” (Qur’an 4:58)
Then, When leadership becomes self-serving, divine support (naṣr) is withdrawn.
10. REPLACEMENT BY A STRONGER PEOPLE
When a nation fails its moral and social duties, Allah replaces it with another possessing stronger cohesion and resolve.
The verse 38 of Chapter 47 ends as:
“And if you turn away, He will replace you with another people; then they will not be the likes of you.” (Qur’an 47:38)
Let’s summarize all this with the Core Islamic Principle.
That is, Nations rise through ʿaṣabiyyah, justice, discipline, and obedience to divine law—and fall through oppression, luxury, moral decay, and loss of unity.
This framework reflects not only Ibn Khaldūn’s sociological realism but also the Qur’anic moral law of history, making it timeless and universally applicable.