The Rihla Summary and Analysis

The final chapter discusses the Rihla itself. It is commissioned by Abu 'Inan, who appoints a writer named Ibn Juzayy to work with Ibn Battuta and prepare a book describing all he has seen. The writing takes at least two years, and seems to be based in part on notes given to Ibn Juzayy by Ibn Battuta, although there is no evidence, Dunn explains, that Ibn Battuta kept a journal or any notes while traveling. It is also clear that following the tradition of the time, large sections of the Rihla are based on previous books that describe the regions where Ibn Battuta had traveled.

Dunn explains that in his lifetime Ibn Battuta was suspected of being a liar because of the outlandish nature of many of the stories he tells. Some scholars do come to his defense, however...