The Rationality of Ibn Khaldun and Machiavelli In Thought of Religious and Political Relations

Abstract

This article aims to describe Ibn Khaldun and Machiavelli's thoughts in the context of religious and political
relations. How are the differences and similarities, and what is the background for their thinking? The method
used in this research is descriptive qualitative, with secondary data sources from various literature in the form of
books and journal articles that discuss the political, religious, and state thoughts of the two figures. The results of
the analysis reveal that Ibn Khaldun and Machiavelli's political, religious, and state thoughts were born as an
antithesis to the previous idealistic tendencies of thought. The socio-political situation that developed during their
lifetime is one of the causes of these differences in style and significantly influences their thinking. In the context of
practical politics, they tend to be rational. Meanwhile, they place religion as an institution that has an essential
role as an adhesive element in society. Both of them argue that religion is a social institution that is functional
towards the stability of the state.