Ibn Tumart

views updated May 23 2018

Ibn Tumart (1077–1130 (AH 470–524)). A Muslim reformer in Morocco who was known as al-Mahdī of the Almohads. He grew up under the Almoravids who followed the Mālikite understanding of fiqh, in which reason is subordinate—a position contested by al-Ghaz(z)ālī, whose works were burnt by the rulers. He was prepared to preach jihād even against other Muslims, if their lax behaviour constituted, in effect, an attack on Islam. Gathering increasing personal authority to himself, he identified himself as al-Mahdi, calling his followers al-Muwaḥḥidūn (the Unitarians), hence the name Almohads.

About this article

Ibn Tumart

All Sources -
Updated Aug 24 2016 About encyclopedia.com content Print Topic

NEARBY TERMS

Ibn Tumart