Mansa Musa - Unframed Artwork (A3)

Mansa Musa ‎ؒ is known in history as a pious man, a scholar, a generous patron, a far-sighted ruler and the richest man in history. He expanded the Mali influence over the Niger city-states of Timbuktu, Gao, and Djenne. Timbuktu became one of the major cultural centers not just of Africa but of the world. Vast libraries, madrasas (Islamic universities) and magnificent mosques were built. Timbuktu became a meeting place of poets, scholars and artists of Africa and the Middle East. Even after Mali declined, Timbuktu remained the major Islamic centre of sub-Saharan Africa.

In Cairo, the Sultan of Egypt received Musa ‎ؒ with great respect, as a fellow Muslim. The splendour of his caravan caused a sensation and brought Mansa Musa ‎ؒ and the Mali Empire fame throughout the Arab world. Mali had become so famous by the fourteenth century that it began to draw the attention of European mapmakers. In one map, produced in 1375, Musa ‎ؒ is shown seated on a throne in the center of West Africa, holding a nugget of gold in his right hand.

According to the research conducted by brother Mustafa Briggs - Mansa Musa ‎ؒ was a spiritually inclined individual (a person of Tasawwuf). He makes this claim on the testimony of the Emir of Cairo who had spent some time with Mansa Musa ‎ؒ.

Al-Fatiha for his blessed soul.