Travel in Islamic culture and Hajj travel of Andalusian traveler Ibn Jubayr

The aim of this study is to understand the place of travel in Islamic tradition and to make a study through the book "The Travel of Ibn Jubayr" which was written by one of the pioneers and famous travellers of the 12th century, Abu'l Hasan Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Jubayr al-Kinani whose widely known as Ibn Jubayr. On the purpose of Hajj, starting from Granada in al-Andalus (Islamic Spain), Ibn Jubayr made a long journey travelling to many cities in North Africa, Levand (Damascus), Arabian Peninsula on his round trip route. The concept of "Seyh" deriving from the Arabic root is generally defined as walking, travelling on the purpose of worship on the earth, or long journeying. Travel, which has an important place in Islam, has always maintained its importance and existence since the early periods. Many travels have been made for many purposes such as Hajj, demand for knowledge, linguistic studies and geographical researches. Moreover, the concept of travel book or "Rihlah" has been formed and developed since the early Islamic period through writings which are authentic travel experiences enriched with the worldview of the travelers. viii The result of this study shows us the importance of travel in Islamic culture. Certain reasons such as Islam's encouragement to travel, the wish of Allah from man to see what Allah has created on earth and to think about the cerated things, Hajj, the necessities of the age, have led people to travel. A great many Muslim travellers can be seen on the stage of history due to these reasons. "The Travel of Ibn Jubayr" has a highly historical value as it contains historical, sociological, cultural and architectural information about the holy lands of Mecca and Medina where he spent most of his time and the main Islamic centers such as Damascus, Iraq and Hijaz. Furthermore, his visiting to Sur, Acre and Sicily which were under the Christian rule, his description of socio-political situation and cultural perspective there and his explanation of MuslimChrsitian relations as a Muslim observer and narrator are among the factors that make him important and outstanding. Keywords: Travel, Rihlah, Traveler, Travel book , Ibn Jubayr, The Travel of Ibn Jubayr