The Muqaddimah: An Introduction to History

Society relies on the animals and agriculture that require the wide spaces of the desert. The Bedouin-type of people who live there are a natural part of society and have few possessions. This includes both nomadic animal herders who live in tents and small villagers who farm. The Arab Bedouin who herd camels go into the deepest desert and are therefore the purest (and most ferocious) example of this type. As some Bedouin grow prosperous, however, they naturally desire more things, which leads to cities, crafts, and commerce. This latter group is sedentary and based in cities. Bedouin and sedentary people form the two natural types of society.

The “simpler” Bedouin therefore emerge in history prior to sedentary peoples. They are morally superior since sedentary people’s habitual seeking of pleasure leads to vice, which in turn causes sedentary civilization to decay. Sedentary people shy away from danger, have their self-reliance destroyed by submission to laws, and lose their ability to defend themselves. In contrast, the Bedouin restrain themselves out of respect for their leaders and religious shaykhs. They also, in accord with God-given human nature, aid their blood-relations and sacrifice for them.