Al-Sahili facts for kids

Abu Ishaq al-Sahili (Arabic: أبو إسحاق الساحلي, romanized: Abū Isḥāq al-Sāḥilī; c. 1290 – 15 October 1346) was a talented poet and scholar of Islamic law from Al-Andalus (modern-day Spain). He became a favorite advisor to Mansa Musa, the powerful emperor of the Mali Empire. Al-Sahili is the most famous scholar from the wider Muslim world who moved to Mali after Mansa Musa's famous pilgrimage.

Many books in Europe say al-Sahili was an architect. They often credit him with big changes in West African buildings. However, his actual work in architecture was very small. He only worked on one building project: an audience hall for Mansa Musa. His role there was likely more about organizing and decorating than designing the building itself.

What's in a Name?

His full name was Abū Isḥāq Ibrāhīm ibn Muḥammad ibn Ibrāhīm al-Sāḥilī al-Anṣārī al-Gharnāṭī. The part of his name, al-Sahili, means "from the coast." He got this part from his mother's grandfather. The name al-Anṣārī shows he believed his family came from the tribes who helped the Prophet Muhammad in Medina. He was also sometimes called al-Tuwayjin, which means "the small casserole."

His Life Story

Early Years in Granada

Abu Ishaq al-Sahili was born in Granada around the late 1200s. Granada was a city in al-Andalus. His father, Muhammad, was a legal expert and led the perfume makers' group in Granada.

In Granada, al-Sahili wrote legal papers and helped solve legal problems. He also became well-known as a poet. A writer from his time, Ibn al-Khatib, praised his poetry. Around 1321, he left al-Andalus. He traveled through Egypt, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. Then, in 1324, he went on the hajj, a pilgrimage to Mecca.

Meeting Emperor Mansa Musa

During his pilgrimage in 1324, al-Sahili met Mansa Musa. Mansa Musa was the powerful ruler of the Mali Empire. Al-Sahili traveled back to Mali with the emperor. Mansa Musa enjoyed talking with him and gave him many gifts. The emperor likely liked al-Sahili's way with words and his knowledge of Islamic law. Mansa Musa brought many scholars back to Mali, and al-Sahili became the most famous among them.

Al-Sahili was in charge of building a special audience hall in the capital city of Mali. Mansa Musa paid him a huge amount of gold for this project: 12,000 mithqals, which is about 51 kilograms of gold! Al-Sahili's job might have been mostly managing the project. The payment probably covered the building costs too. He was also very skilled in calligraphy (beautiful writing). So, he might have helped decorate the building himself. Once, Mansa Musa gave al-Sahili 4,000 mithqals of gold in just one day. This might have been part of the payment for the audience hall.

Life in Timbuktu

After arriving in Mali, al-Sahili made his home in Timbuktu. In 1334, a merchant from Alexandria named Siraj al-Din visited Mali. He came to collect a debt from Mansa Musa. Al-Sahili hosted Siraj al-Din in his home. Sadly, Siraj al-Din died while staying with al-Sahili. At first, people wondered if something bad had happened. But Siraj al-Din's son confirmed that his father died from natural causes.

Al-Sahili may have helped improve relations between Mali and the Marinid Sultanate. This was a powerful kingdom in North Africa. Between 1331 and 1337, al-Sahili traveled to the Maghreb region. He exchanged gifts with the Marinid sultan, Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Othman. While there, al-Sahili thought about going back to Granada. But things happened that made him return to Mali. He was even attacked by bandits on his way back. Eventually, he safely returned to Timbuktu.

His Death

Abu Ishaq al-Sahili died on October 15, 1346, in Timbuktu. He was buried there. He probably never married, but he had several children. His children later settled in Walata. The famous traveler Ibn Battuta saw al-Sahili's grave when he visited Timbuktu in 1353.

Was He an Architect?

Many modern books say al-Sahili was a great architect. They often say he built famous West African structures. These include the Djinguereber Mosque and a royal palace in Timbuktu, and the mosque of Gao. A French scholar named Maurice Delafosse even said al-Sahili created a whole new "Sudanese architectural style." He thought this style came from North African architecture.

However, there is very little proof that al-Sahili played a big role in the architecture of Mali. The only building project he is known to have worked on was the audience hall in the city of Mali. His part in this project was likely more about organizing and managing. He was not necessarily the main designer. Other buildings linked to him were probably given to him because people just assumed he was Mansa Musa's main architect. This idea is not supported by historical records. West African architecture mostly grew from local ideas. It also slowly took in influences from North Africa over time.

See also

In Spanish: Abu Isaq Es Saheli para niños