Final answer:
Mansa Musa's contribution to religion in the Mali Empire was the c) spread of Islam, most notably through his pilgrimage to Mecca and the subsequent establishment of educational and religious institutions, such as universities and mosques, to bolster Islamic teachings in his realm.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mansa Musa's contribution to the religion of the Mali Empire was quite significant; c) he spread Islam throughout his kingdom.
This is best represented by his pilgrimage to Mecca, which was not only an act of spiritual devotion but also a demonstration of Mali's wealth and commitment to Islam.
Following his journey, he invested heavily in establishing universities and mosques in the empire. This greatly enhanced the presence and importance of Islam within Mali, with Timbuktu blossoming as a center for Islamic education and international trade.
During Mansa Musa's reign, he began the practice of sending students to Morocco for studies, setting Timbuktu on the path to become the educational hub of western Sudan.
His generous patronage of the Islamic faith also included bringing Arab scholars, architects, and books into the empire. Under his rule, Timbuktu saw the construction of over one hundred schools and eighteen universities dedicated to Islamic studies.
The correct answer to the student's question would be option c) He spread Islam first on his pilgrimage to Mecca. Then by building Universities and Mosques throughout his kingdom.