IBN Khaldun’s contributions to the economic system in terms of the founding of economics

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to shed light, albeit to a small extent, on the recent debates on whether Ibn Khaldun, who expressed similar ideas in his Muqaddimah approximately 400 years before Adam Smith, who is known as the official founder of economics, was the “Real Founder of Economics,” to present the comprehensive comparisons and evidences made on this subject throughout the study to the scientific community, and to restore the reputation Ibn Khaldun deserves. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, the “qualitative data analysis-compilation-synthesis” method was used; in the light of evidence, the ideas of two important people were analyzed and detailed comparisons consisting of nearly 40 headings were made. Since this study includes “historical data,” the “qualitative data analysis-compilation-synthesis” method was chosen as the method, and the originality and proof quality of the study were increased by using comprehensive comparisons consisting of detailed headings in the said method. In the study, the relevant subject, historical sources and current articles were tried to be analyzed by blending them together, and in-depth readings were made for comparisons that require mastery of the subject. Findings When the periods in which the two figures lived are taken into consideration and when it is considered that Ibn Khaldun lived approximately 400 years before Adam Smith, it is understandable in which direction the similarities of the ideas they put forward are even without any comparison. As a result of the detailed comparisons and evidences the author has made to help understand the subject more clearly, the conclusion reached is as follows: Ibn Khaldun is familiar with the real norms of economics that are compatible with today’s rules and he systematized the science of economics by clearly presenting these basic paradigms that form the basis of today’s economics. Research limitations/implications The fact that Ibn Khaldun and Adam Smith have not been compared in terms of the founding of economics before, except for limited topics such as “labor-division of labor-specialization,” can be perceived as a “limitation” and at the same time “originality” of the study. Practical implications The fact that the economic doctrines put forward by Adam Smith, the official founder of economics, were expressed by Ibn Khaldun approximately 400 years before him may cause a social interaction. On the contrary, considering the fact that, as expressed by respected scientific circles, the works of Islamic scholars were destroyed by burning or used without giving the source to erase the trace of Muslims in the Middle Ages when the Andalusian Umayyad State ruled, it is thought that this study conducted by the author may constitute evidence and living proof of the grave situation in question. Social implications The fact that these theories of Adam Smith, known to the world as the father of economics, were expressed in a similar way by Ibn Khaldun about 400 years ago can be perceived as a social impact. The most important of these social effects is, in fact, the fact that the extant works of many Islamic scholars who ruled in the Middle Ages have been subjected to such scrutiny; while restoring the reputation of the authors, the satisfaction that the Islamic religion and then the members of this religion will experience from the situation that is a source of pride is, of course, a more important social effect. The details and grounds for this fact are provided in this paper. Originality/value The fact that the economic doctrines put forward by Adam Smith, the official founder of economics, were expressed by Ibn Khaldun approximately 400 years before him and that this subject has not been the subject of much study before, except for certain titles such as “labor-division of labor-specialization,” reveals the originality of the study in question. This study, with its evidence and comprehensive comparisons, exhibits a dimension that will open the door to a clearer understanding of this subject.