The Adventures of Ibn Battuta: a Muslim Traveler of the Fourteenth Century

The Adventures of Ibn Battuta A Moslem Traveler of the Fourteenth light speed shift Ross E. Dunn Ibn Batutta was a self-proclaimed scholar of the fourteenth blow who traveled extensively passim sub-Saharan Africa under the banner of Islam, and wrote of his travels in an autobiographical book entitled The Travels of Ibn Battuta. The financing for his ventures was derived from Moslem rulers inhabiting the cities he visited. His schoolbook regarding the cities and their occupants provide undischarged insight into the pagan diversity and stinting conditions of medieval Africa, Middle East and Asia.Ibn Battuta excessively exposes intricate details of daily action regarding food, clothing and rituals. His journals relay a trembling existence where food is not eternally palatable clothing is optional and endemical rituals conflict with his own beliefs. Religious studies students whitethorn interrogation the need for this intricate detail however, Ibn Battuta was gathering the crucial knowledge to attend oppositewise Muslims make the journey. His observances to a fault allowed lodge leadership to learn of the actions of other company leaders.Among his much observations Ibn Battuta describes the terrain where he travels and the manner in which each community receives him. On many occasions, particularly when crossing the forsake, advance nock was sent to make provisions for his lodging. This forward-looking notice besides served a alert task, to arrange for a group of muckle to meet the traveling party several(prenominal) days outside of town with the requirement supplies to complete the journey. The text discloses unfortunate events where couriers were lost, resulting in the death of entire parties beca intention additional supplies were never sent to meet them.Recording this persona of instruction would be an invaluable resource for other Muslims who desire to go on a pilgrimage. The Travels also discuss the danger of storms at sea and seasonal conditions that limited the accessibility of this mode of transportation. The rigorous and perilous disposition of distant travel is emphasized in the text and endured often by Ibn Battuta throughout his life. Although he expresses a modicum of regret at his abstinence from a stationary life, his descriptions of events and fine places belie his propensity for wanderlust.This seems a quite a unexpected attitude for a spectral scholar caught in the midst of desert travel. But from the standpoint of the reader, beauty serves as reward for the hardships endured on the journey. Several other passages in the text divulge the seeds valuation of temper and beauty. The Ibn Battuta reflects an well-nigh pantheistic attitude that is simultaneously thankful and priseful of both the desert and gracious gardens. It is likely that this expressed reverence toward nature was intended as an enticement or encouragement his audience to travel.Interestingly enough Battuta also express es knowledge rough Plato Although Ibn Battuta seems to be issue with all facets of nature, and speaks highly of the morals and ingenuousness of many men, discord appears when his beliefs are challenged by the perception of unconventional behavior, such as the wood burning ceremony in Om Obida, Persi, or the burning of widows in Hindustan, The cleaning lady adorns herself, and is accompanied by cavalcade of the deist Hindoos and Brahmans, with drums, huntsmans horns and men following her, both Infidel and Muslim alike (emphasis mine) He also remarks about his shock regarding the public bareness of women.This is another example of direct personal line of credit with his cultural heritage, which dictates that women are kept whole covered with the exception of their eyes. This reaction comes as no surprise because sexual infidelity, on behalf of women, is contrary to Ibn Battutas religious beliefs. As an ulama, Ibn Battutas Muslim beliefs were far more conservative than many of the cultures he visited. The text of Ibn Battuta stands as a relevant survive from and autobiographical standpoint, as well as a study of regional cultural diversity among Islamic communities.It can be said that Ibn Battuta functioned as a type of intelligentsia for the medival Muslim communities, spreading learning between the many towns he visited. His journal entries could easily control influenced the attitudes of community leaders by allowing a direct parity with the practices and habits of other rulers. Through this methodology, Battuta garnered a modicum of unmarried power.Although community leaders did not apprehension Ibn Battuta, his critique of their habits could cause other communities to question a particular leaders respect of Muslim charity laws. This would also watchword into question that leaders religious loyalty to Muslim tradition. Students of religious studies can use the text to discern historical breeding about the size and resources of ancient cities , mess relationships/predominant commodities of value, and similarities and differences in the cultures of the Fourteenth Century Islamicate.We are also given an estimate of the prosperity of cities despite any realistic bias the author might have held toward particular regions or rulers. Closer tryout reveals, for the most part, Muslim reverence for travelers on pilgrimage and particularly those of the Ulama class. perhaps most importantly, the author relays information about daily Muslim life in the medieval age that is not quickly available from other academic sources.