The Extraordinary Life And Travels Of Ibn Battuta
Crossing Kingdoms And Cultures
The Muslim explorer earned his title as "the traveler of Islam" through a truly astonishing feat. Here’s an intriguing look at how Ibn Battuta covered approximately 75,000 miles across three continents even before the age of steam.
Birth And Background
In Tangier, Morocco, on February 24, 1304, Ibn Battuta was born during the Marinid dynasty's rule. His family was part of the Berber Lawata tribe, which had a history of being involved in Islamic legal studies. A number of them became judges known as qadis.
Early Years
Growing up in Tangier, young Ibn Battuta received traditional Islamic education at a Sunni Maliki school. This religious and legal training became fundamental to his future career, as Maliki Muslims often requested his services as a judge during travels.
Departure From Home
When he was just twenty-one, on June 14, 1325, little Battuta set off from Tangier to go on his hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. He went solo, without any friends or a caravan for safety, as he was simply eager to visit the important Islamic holy sites.
Initial Journey Path
His first route followed North Africa's coastline through Abd al-Wadid and Hafsid sultanates. While traveling through Tlemcen and Béjaïa, he made his way to Tunis, where he stayed for some months before heading further east to the ancient lands of Egypt.
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