Final answer:
Mansa Musa, ruler of Mali, is known for his devout Islamic faith and his lavish pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324. His journey demonstrated the wealth of Mali and had economic impacts on regions he passed through. After his hajj, Mansa Musa established Timbuktu as a center of Islamic learning and scholarship.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nomadic African traders, known as Berbers, were instrumental in spreading Islam across North Africa, including to sub-Saharan regions. The spread of Islam in Africa continued beyond the initial military conquests, facilitated by merchants, scholars, and missionaries. The Berbers traveled along trans-Saharan trade routes, bringing Islamic ideas to West African trading towns and influencing regional rulers.
One of the most noteworthy rulers influenced by Islam was Mansa Musa of the Mali Empire, who was a devout Muslim. He significantly contributed to the establishment of Islam in Mali and is renowned for his extravagant hajj, or pilgrimage, to Mecca in 1324. Mansa Musa's journey was not only a religious endeavor but also a display of unparalleled wealth and generosity, as he distributed gold along his route, causing a significant impact on the economies of the regions he passed through.
Upon his return from the hajj, Mansa Musa embarked on a substantial building program, including the construction of the Djinguereber Mosque in Timbuktu, which cemented the city's reputation as a center of Muslim scholarship and education. His reign is marked by increased political stability, economic prosperity, and educational advancement, with Timbuktu becoming a synonym for a city of wonders and learning thanks to Mansa Musa's influence.