The Hajj Journey and Its Impact on Relations Between the Marinid and Mamluk States

Abstract

The topic of civilizational interaction among the regions of the Islamic world is of great significance, especially in light of the current political, economic, social, and intellectual challenges facing Muslim societies. This study examines a notable example of such interaction through the pilgrimage journey that connected the Marinid dynasty in the Maghreb with the Mamluk Sultanate in the Arab East. The paper explores the impact of this journey on political, economic, and cultural relations between the two states and highlights the Marinid rulers’ commitment to the Hajj as a fundamental pillar of Islam. Furthermore, the study analyzes the implications of the Marinid recognition of Mamluk authority over the Islamic East following the fall of the Abbasid Caliphate in Baghdad in 656 AH / 1258 CE, emphasizing the pilgrimage's role in fostering ties and unity within the Islamic world.