Our first series of "The Journeyed Cities" will cover the cities travelled by one of the greatest of Muslim travellers, Ibn Battuta. He started his journey from Tanjiers, Morocco sometime in the year 1325 (725H) as a 21 year old, which eventually took him on a fascinating journey through the Muslim world of the 14th Century (8th Century Hijrah). During a period of around 30 years he travelled through (what is today) more than 40 countries. It is estimated that he covered more than 120,000 kilometres by land.
His intention to start the journey was for Hajj and during this period, he goes back to Makkah to perform Hajj repeatedly. Ibn Battuta's travelogue shows how the travellers were treated in those days and how the institution of Wakf catered for the travellers, especially those on their way to perform Hajj.
In his book "The Travels of Ibn Battuta" H.A.R Gibbs writes " ..Under these circumstances the brotherhood of Islam, which knows no difference of race or birth, showed at its best, and provided an incentive to travel unknown in any other age or community."
He goes on to say "It is evident from our narratives that in the great majority of the cases they were animated by the same spirit of kindliness and generosity that always marked the mutual relations of Muslims, and readily shared their resources with their fellow-travellers."
His travels were written down by Muhammed ibn Juzayy at the order of the Sultan, after his final return to Fez.
In his opening ibn Juzayy writes:
" Bismillah-hir-rahman-nir-raheem. Praise be to God, Who hath subdued the earth to his servants that they may tread thereon spacious ways,.....
.....A gracious command prescribed that he should dictate an account of the cities which he had seen on his journeys, of the interesting events which he retained in his memory and of the rulers of countries, leaned men and pious saints.....and that the humble servant Muhammed ibn Juzayy should unite the morsels of his dictation into a book which should...............Here begins the narrative of the Shykh Abu Abdallah {Ibn Battuta)"
It is indeed a fascinating travel story of all time. Get hold of a book on ibn Battuta's travels so that you can enjoy a great travel story set in the 8th century Hijrah and at the same time read the modern day "City guide for the Halal conscious Muslim travellers" that we will publish covering most of the cities mentioned by him and are still in existence (around 100 Cities). Let's take the journey together and share our thoughts on exploring the world.
Insha Allah we hope to start this first series of city guides (The Journeyed Cities - Ibn Battuta) on the 1st of Muharram 1432 which should be around the 6th December 2010. So you still have time to get hold of a book on Ibn Battuta.
