OPINION: Ibn Battuta And Philosophy of Traveling

Abu Abdulla Muhammed commonly known as Ibn Battuta was a Meghrebi traveler, geographer, explorer and scholor. Over a period of thirty years from 1325 to 1354, he visited most of North Africa, the Middle East, East Africa, Central Asia, South Asia, South East Asia, China, the Iberian Peninsula and West Africa. Near the end of his life, he dictated an account of his journeys and wrote one of the world’s most famous travel logs-the Rihlah. Ibn Battuta reffered as “The Islamic Marco Polo”, has travelled more than any other explorer in pre-modern history, totalling around 1,17,000 km surpassing Zheng He with about 50,000 km and Marco Polo with 24,000 km. Wanderlust has led him to many different parts of the world. Ibn Battuta said–“By traveling we learn limits and off limits. We come to know incredibility of different places, people, good or bad aspects of life and livelihood”. He always wanted to be in the state of continous journey with a goal infront because happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling.

Without traveling the worst situations, no one can touch the best corners of life. Dare to face anything in life…Kites rise highest against the wind; not with it. Difficulties on the way are of amazing nature, for someone these are speed-breakers and for others the opportunity to jump. There is a way and the way is, on the way. When faced with a problem or a challenge, look for the way, not a way out. You always pass through failures on the way to success. When there is a hill to climb, don’t think waiting will make it small. It is much easier to protect your feet with slippers than to cover the earth with carpet. Remember, if road is hard to go, road’s end rewards you.

Traveling broadens horizons, improves learning and develops intelligence. For many philosophers, travel is seen as an extension of journey of life – “What is life but a form of a journey through a foreign world, where journey is being more importamt than the destination.” It provides a means of self-exploration. Traveling through the world produces marvellous clarity in the judgment… This great world is a mirror where we must see ourselves in order to know ourselves. Traveling improves sociability, specially in the age of enlightment, it strengthering human society through the practice of commerce and interaction.

Travel takes us out of our comfort zones and inspires us to see, taste and try new things. It constantly challenge us, not only to adopt to and explore new surroundings, but also to engage with different people, to imbrace adventures as they come and to share new and meaningful experience with friends and loved ones. Travel exposes us to different cultures and ancient traditions. It teachers us humanity and gives usan appreciation, understanding and respect for different points of views and ways of life. Not all class rooms have four walls and travel is the best way to immerse yourself in geography, history, culture, gastronomy, languages, biology… you name it. Travel enriches the mind and educates us far beyond any textbook, we learn different landscapes and lifestyles. Destiny is not created by shoes we wear but by the steps we take. Let’s make the journey of life meaningful and memorable like that of Ibn Battuta.