Question

Ibn Battuta, a Muslim trader who travelled to Mali in 1352. On Fridays, if a man does not go early to the mosque, he cannot find a corner to pray in, because of the crowd. Because of this many men send a boy to the mosque with a prayer-mat. The boy then sits on it until his master arrives. One day I knocked on the door of a judge’s office . He called me in and I saw he was with a young and beautiful woman who was not his wife. I was embarrassed and tried to leave but the judge said ‘Why are you leaving? We are just having fun.’ I was astonished at his behaviour especially as he had just been on pilgrimage.

What can you learn from Source A about religion in Mali?
a. Provide insights on religious practices in Mali based on Source A.
b. Mention specific details that convey information about religious behavior.
c. Analyze the behavior of individuals, such as the judge, and its relation to religion.
d. Offer a comprehensive understanding of religious aspects in Mali based on the source.

Answer 1

Source A provides insights into religious practices in Mali, specific details about religious behavior, and raises questions about the behavior of individuals in relation to religion.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on Source A, we can learn about religious practices in Mali. It mentions that on Fridays, people in Mali go to the mosque to pray. In order to secure a place to pray, some men send a boy to the mosque with a prayer mat to reserve a spot until they arrive. This demonstrates the importance of regular attendance and devotion to prayer in Mali.

Source A also conveys specific details about religious behavior. It highlights the crowdedness of the mosque on Fridays, indicating the significant number of people attending prayers. Furthermore, it mentions the practice of sending a boy with a prayer mat to reserve a spot, which suggests the commitment and dedication of the people to their religious obligations.

Regarding the behavior of individuals, we can analyze the judge's actions mentioned in Source A and its relation to religion. The judge's behavior of engaging in inappropriate activities with a woman who was not his wife contradicts the principles of Islamic teachings. This incident portrays the judge's disregard for religious values and raises questions about the religious practices of individuals in Mali during that time.

Overall, Source A provides insights into religious practices in Mali, specific details about religious behavior such as the crowdedness of the mosque and the use of prayer mats, and raises questions about the behavior of individuals in relation to religion.