Timbuktu's Greatest Scholar: The Life and Legacy of Ahmad Baba

This episode explores the remarkable life of Ahmad Baba al-Timbukti, the 16th-century scholar who became a symbol of Timbuktu's golden age and its resilience during the Saadian invasion. We trace his education under the Aqit family, his encyclopedic knowledge of Maliki fiqh, and his refusal to compromise his principles when captured by Judar Pasha. Ahmad Baba's writings, including the Mi'raj al-Su'ud, challenged the legitimacy of enslaving free Muslims, and his return to Timbuktu sparked a revival of learning. We also discuss the controversy over his birth year, the destruction of his works by the Saadians, and how his legacy endures today through the Ahmed Baba Institute in Timbuktu. Join us for a deep dive into the man who embodied West Africa's intellectual tradition. #AhmadBaba #Timbuktu #Songhai #Saadian #Maliki #Mi'rajalSu'ud #Sankore #Djinguereber #JudarPasha #Aqit #TarikhAlSudan #AhmedBabaInstitute #WestAfrica #IslamicScholarship #Slavery #16thCentury #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo