Ibn Tumart

Ibn Tumart, full name Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Tumart / أبو عبدالله محمد بن تومرت / Abū ʿ Abd Allāh Muḥammad b. Tumart (* 1077, † 1130), called al -Mahdi, was influenced by Sufism Islamic reformer and founder of the movement of the Almohads.

Biography and teachings

Muhammad ibn Abdallah ibn Tumart was in 1077 as a member of Hargha strain ( Masmuda ) born in the Anti-Atlas and studied in Cordoba and Baghdad theology, philosophy and law, where he greatly influenced by the teachings of al -Ghazali ( reconciliation of orthodoxy and mysticism ) been.

After his return to the Maghreb ( 1117/8 ), he spread his doctrine among the Berbers of the High Atlas and gained his first followers around you, including Abd al - Mumin and Abu Hafs Umar. Ibn Tumart emphasized the absolute unity of God and teaching the absolute predestination in a hierarchical society. When the attempt failed to convert the Almoravids under Yusuf ibn Ali to his theology, he retired in 1120 with his followers in the Atlas Mountains back and spread among the Masmuda strains his teaching.

Since 1121 claimed Ibn Tumart to be the infallible Mahdi, and united the Masmudastämme to Kampfbund the Almohads (al- Muwahhidun = " confessors of the divine unity "). To integrate the tribes into the movement a council was formed in the 10 loyal tribal leaders as well as 40 other delegates from other important tribes were involved and the leader of the Almohads were on hand. Center of the Almohads was 1124 Tinmal in the High Atlas, about 100 km south of Marrakech. 1129 but failed to attack the Almohads on Marrakech with a defeat by the Almoravids in al - Buhayra ( May 13, 1129 ).

Ibn Tumart died on 20 August 1130 and was buried in his hometown Tinmal. With him the Almohads lost their spiritual leader, bringing the military-political goals of the movement came to the fore. He was succeeded by Abd al - Mu'min, who led the Almohad victory over the Almoravids. However, the death of Ibn Tumart had to be kept secret for three years, until his successor Abd al - Mumin had secured his rule.