Ibn Tumart

Abū ʿAbd Allāh Muḥammad Ibn Tūmart was a significant Muslim religious scholar and political leader.

He lived from approximately 1080 until August 1130. He was born in the Sous region of southern Morocco. His family was humble, as his father worked as a lamplighter at a mosque. Ibn Tumart belonged to the Hargha tribe within the Masmuda Berber confederation.

As a child, he was known for his piety. He earned the nickname "Asafu," which means "light" in the Tamazight language. This name reflected his habit of lighting candles in mosques.

Ibn Tumart spent his youth traveling to become a highly educated scholar. Around 1106, he traveled to Córdoba to study. At that time, Córdoba was the largest center of learning in the Almoravid dominion. He later traveled east to Baghdad to deepen his theological studies. Some historical accounts suggest he studied under the famous thinker al-Ghazali. Other historians, such as Ibn Khallikan, dispute this meeting ever happened. In Baghdad, he likely studied Ash'arite theology and the Zahiri school of jurisprudence. He eventually developed a unique system by combining these different teachings.

His primary religious principle was a concept called tawhid. This refers to a rigid unitarianism, or the absolute unity of God. Ibn Tumart believed that assigning specific attributes to God was a form of polytheism. He argued that such ideas were incompatible with God's oneness. This stance put him in direct opposition to the prevailing religious orthodoxy. He also favored Zahirism, a school of law that relied heavily on reason. He specifically rejected the practice of taqlid, which is the uncritical following of established legal precedents. He wanted a more direct application of religious law.

Ibn Tumart used his religious ideas to launch a political revolt. He targeted the Almoravid dynasty, which ruled much of Morocco and al-Andalus. He believed the Almoravids had made many theological and social errors. For instance, he criticized them for allowing the public sale of wine and pork. He also opposed the presence of religious art in mosques. He viewed the Almoravids' use of the Maliki school of jurisprudence as flawed. He accused them of relying too much on ijma, or the consensus of jurists. He believed they were neglecting the Sunnah and the hadith.

His journey back to the Maghreb was marked by intense zeal. After leaving Egypt, he traveled by ship to the Maghreb in 1117 or 1118. During this voyage, he reportedly lectured the sailors on their prayer times. Some accounts claim the sailors became so frustrated that they threw him overboard. He traveled through various cities like Bejaia and Fez to preach his reforms. In Fez, his debates with local scholars led to his expulsion. He even faced the Almoravid ruler, Ali ibn Yusuf, in Marrakesh. The ruler did not accept his reforms and ordered him to be flogged.

Following his expulsion, Ibn Tumart began to build a formal movement. He settled near Mellala, where he gathered his first dedicated followers. Among these followers were important figures like the scholar al-Bashir. He also met Abd al-Mu'min, who would eventually succeed him as leader. His followers took the name al-Muwwahidun, meaning "those who affirm the unity of God." This name was later known in Spanish as the Almohads.

This movement was both a spiritual and a military organization. It was designed to implement his strict doctrines throughout the region.

After Ibn Tumart died in 1130, the Almohad movement grew rapidly. His successor, Abd al-Mu'min, was elected in 1133 by the Masmuda Shaykhs. The Almohads established a powerful state with organized councils. These councils included groups known as the "10" and the "50." Under Almohad rule, the movement conquered much of North Africa. They also expanded their control into parts of Spain. The movement transformed the political and religious landscape of the western Islamic world for many years.