Muhammad as-Saffar

Muḥammad Bin Abdellah aṣ-Ṣaffār (Arabic: محمد بن عبد الله الصفار) was a Moroccan faqih, royal scribe, and author of ar-Rihla at-Tetuania Ila ad-Diar al-Faransia (الرحلة التطوانية إلى الديار الفرنسية), a work of rihla literature about his journey with the Moroccan mission to France in 1845.^[1][2] After the humiliating defeat at the battle of Isly on August 14, 1844 and the French pressure, Morocco sent an embassy to France for defusing the increasing tension on the borders. On December 13, 1845, the Moroccan embassy led by Abd al Qadir ‘Ash ‘ash set off to France. Muhammad al-Saffar, who concerns us, took part in this ambassadorial travel to Europe. Indeed, he was an 'alim' (a scholar); he studied at al- Qarawiyyin University for a long while. He also occupied many positions in the Moroccan court, such as notary, judge and a governor’s counsellor. Moreover, upon his return from France, as-Saffar immediately started to write his account based on his accurate notes and fresh memories. Although he stayed in France for a short time, around three months, as-Saffar successfully wrote a very accurate and informative narrative about the French society. He pays a considerable attention to the culture, social life, politics, economy, technology, and military in France.

The original manuscript of the rihla, handwritten for the sultan by Muhammad as-Saffar upon his return from France.