The rise of the Muslims to the zenith of civilisation in a period of four centries was based on Al-Islam's emphasis on learning. This is obvious when one takes a look at the Quran and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) which are filled with references to learning, education, observation, and the use of reason. The very first verse of the Quran revealed to the Prophet on the night of power (Laylathul Qadr) in the month of Ramadhan in 611 CE reads:
"Read: In the name of thy Lord who created man from a clot. Read: And thy Lord is the Most Generous Who taught by the pen, Taught man that
which he knew not." (Translation of Quran 96:1-5)
"And they shall say had we but listened or used reason, we would not be among the inmates of the burning fire." (Translation of Quran 67:10)
Abu Abdullah Muhammad Ibn Battuta, also known as Shams ad - Din, was born at Tangier, Morocco, on the 24th February 1304 C.E. (703 Hijra). He left Tangier on Thursday, 14th June, 1325 C.E. (2nd Rajab 725 A.H.), when he was twenty one years of age. His travels lasted for about thirty years, after which he returned to Fez, Morocco at the court of Sultan Abu 'Inan and dictated accounts of his journeys to Ibn Juzay. These are known as the famous Travels (Rihala) of Ibn Battuta. He died at Fez in 1369 C.E.
Ibn Battuta was the only medieval
traveller who is known to have visited the lands of every Muslim ruler of his time. He also travelled in Ceylon (present Sri Lanka), China and Byzantium and South Russia. The mere extent of his travels is estimated at no less than 75,000 miles, a figure which is not likely to have been surpassed before the age of steam.
Travels
In the course of his first journey, Ibn Battuta travelled through Algiers, Tunis, Egypt, Palestine and Syria to Makkah. After visiting Iraq, Shiraz and Mesopotamia he once more returned to perform the Hajj at Makkah and remained there for three years. Then travelling to Jeddah he went to Yemen by sea, visited Aden andset sail for
Mombasa, East Africa. After going up to Kulwa he came back to Oman and repeated pilgrimage to Makkah in 1332 C.E. via Hormuz, Siraf, Bahrain and Yamama. Subsequently he set out with the purpose of going to India, but on reaching Jeddah, he appears to have changed his mind (due perhaps to the unavailability of a ship bound for India), and revisited Cairo, Palestine and Syria, thereafter arriving at Aleya (Asia Minor) by sea and travelled across Anatolia and Sinope. He then crossed the Black Sea and after long wanderings he reached Constantinople through Southern Ukraine.
Disclaimer: Articles, cartoons and other elements on the Opinion & Analysis and other view section of this website do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of the MPAC, nor can the MPAC be held accountable for these views.
Fair Use Notice: The MPAC website may occasionally contain copyrighted material the use of which may not always have been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. The MPAC is making such material available in its effort to advance understanding of humanitarian, education, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as such (and all) material on this site is distributed without profit. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.