Final answer:
Mansa Musa I was the ruler of the Mali Empire from 1312 to 1337, during which time he made a legendary pilgrimage to Mecca, significantly expanded the empire and contributed to the flourishing of Timbuktu as a center of learning.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mansa Musa I ruled over the Mali Empire from 1312 to 1337. Notably, he embarked on a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324-1325, which showcased the empire's wealth and enhanced its reputation across the known world, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa. Under Mansa Musa's rule, the empire expanded to include important centers such as Timbuktu and experienced a period of prosperity and cultural enrichment.
Mansa Musa's reign is marked by his devout Islamic faith, the development of trade and commerce, and significant contributions to scholarship. His hajj resulted in Mali's recognition due to his extravagant display of wealth, which included gold donations in Cairo that affected the value of gold in the region for years. He also played a critical role in the establishment of Timbuktu as a major center of education and learning, attracting scholars and architects to the city.