“Ibn Khaldun” social theory Al-Asabia is about “social solidarity”. According to “Ibn Khaldun”“Al-Asabia” is the force, which push individuals towards one another and create a sense of unity amongst them. Moreover, this force of unity results in the creation of states. Al-Asabia is sharing of similar feeling amongst individuals which bond and unite them together, as a group. “Emile Durkheim” had similar view about mutual relationships amongst individuals, according to him, sharing similar feelings and motives among individuals lead towards the creation of society where individuals live collectively.
“Ibn Khaldun” discussed in his book “Muqadama” that, when individuals start living together in a society, conflict is inevitable, which leads to the violation of state laws. In case of, violation of laws, state steps forward, to maintain law and order. Furthermore, it is vital for the state being, to sustain solidarity amongst the inhabitants. Unity among citizens, helps to defend the state against, external aggression and domination.
“Ibn Khaldun” was amongst the evolutionary social thinker, he was interested in the gradual social change, in society. He believed that, individual start living together because of Al-Asabia, common interest attract them towards, one another and they start living together, as group. With the passage of time groups evolve in clans and tribes and finally transform into societies. Therefore, without the force of solidarity, tribe, clan and state, will become weak and dominated by other external forces. If people of state are not united then, it is easy for foreigners to control and rule over it.
Martindale wrote that, the spirit of solidarity is important for individuals and state. Individuals need each other help in satisfying their basic needs. Single individual cannot perform all the duties, which are crucial for survival. Cooperation of one individual with another is inevitable because they are dependent on each other. Nomads are the good example of solidarity, they travel together live together and face external enemy together, somehow their survival depend upon their unity.
