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Index
Cover Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Contents
Introduction to the 2005 Edition
From the Translator’s Introduction to the 1958 Unabridged Edition
Invocation
Foreword
The Introduction: The excellence of historiography. An appreciation of the various approaches to history. A glimpse of the different kinds of errors to which historians are liable. Why these errors occur
Book One: of the Kitâb Al-‘ibar The nature of civilization. Bedouin and settled life, the achievements of superiority, gainful occupations, ways of making a living, sciences, crafts, and all the other things that affect civilization. The causes and reasons thereof
Chapter 1: Human civilization in general
First Prefatory Discussion
Second Prefatory Discussion: The parts of the earth where civilization is found. Some information about oceans, rivers, and zones
Third Prefatory Discussion: The temperate and the intemperate zones. The influence of the air upon the colour of human beings and upon many other aspects of their condition
Fourth Prefatory Discussion: The influence of climate upon human character
Fifth Prefatory Discussion: Differences with regard to abundance and scarcity of food in the various inhabited regions and how they affect the human body and character
Sixth Prefatory Discussion: The various types of human beings who have supernatural perception either through natural disposition or through exercise, preceded by a discussion of inspiration and dream visions
Chapter 2: Bedouin civilization, savage nations and tribes and their conditions of life, including several basic and explanatory statements
Chapter 3: On dynasties, royal authority, the caliphate, government ranks, and all that goes with these things. The chapter contains basic and supplementary propositions
Chapter 4: Countries and cities, and all other forms of sedentary civilization. The conditions occurring there. Primary and secondary considerations in this connection
Chapter 5: On the various aspects of making a living, such as profit and the crafts. The conditions that occur in this connection. A number of problems are connected with this subject
Chapter 6: The various kinds of sciences. The methods of instruction. The conditions that obtain in these conditions
Prefatory Discussion: On man’s ability to think, which distinguishes human beings from animals and which enables them to obtain their livelihood, to co-operate to this end with their fellow men, and to study the Master whom they worship, and the revelations that the Messengers transmitted from Him. God thus caused all animals to obey man and to be in the grasp of his power. Through his ability to think, God gave man superiority over many of His creatures
Concluding Remark
Index
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