Ibn Battuta ( 1304 â `` 1368 or 1369 ) was a Moroccan explorer . Hajji Abu Abdullah Muhammad Ibn Battuta , or simply Ibn Battuta , also known as Shams ad -- Din ( February 25 , 1304 â `` 1368 or 1369 ) , was a Moroccan Berber Islamic scholar and traveller known for the record of his travels and excursions published in the Rihla ( literally , `` The Journey '' ) .