Mansa Musa, also known as Musa I, assumed the role of the ninth Mansa of the Mali Empire, a prominent West African realm, reigning from approximately 1280 to 1337. While the precise assessment of his wealth remains elusive, Musa has earned the title of &quot;the wealthiest person in history.&quot;<br /><br />At the zenith of his rule, Musa expanded the Mali Empire&#39;s boundaries, incorporating territories like Gao and Timbuktu. To strengthen ties with the broader Muslim world, he embarked on a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324, accompanied by a sizable entourage and a considerable amount of gold. His generosity in Cairo during this journey triggered a decade-long decline in gold prices and garnered widespread attention across the Muslim world.<br />Musa actively promoted Islamic scholarship, drawing scholars from various Muslim regions to Mali. Under his patronage, Timbuktu emerged as a center of learning, exemplified by the construction of the Djinguereber Mosque. His reign marked Mali&#39;s pinnacle of power and magnificence.<br /><br />Our understanding of Musa primarily relies on Arabic texts, particularly works by Al-Umari and Ibn Khaldun, composed after his pilgrimage. The Tarikh as-Sudan and the Tarikh al-fattash, written in Timbuktu in the 17th century, offer additional insights.