Ibn Tumart

Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Tumart (c. 473-524 AH / c. 1080-1130 CE) was a Berber religious scholar and reformer from the Masmuda tribe of the Atlas Mountains of Morocco who founded the Almohad (al-Muwahhidun) movement. He studied in al-Andalus, then traveled to Baghdad, Egypt, and the Hijaz, where he was influenced by the reformist teachings of Abu Hamid al-Ghazali and other scholars.

Ibn Tumart developed a purist theological position emphasizing strict monotheism (tawhid), rejecting anthropomorphic interpretations of divine attributes, and adhering to what he considered the original Islam of the Prophet ﷺ. He was influenced by Ash'ari theology and the writings of al-Ghazali. On his return journey westward, he began preaching reform and confronting what he viewed as moral and religious corruption.

He declared himself the Mahdi (the guided one) — a claim that significantly shaped his movement — and began organizing the Berber tribes of the Atlas Mountains into a military and religious force. His key lieutenant Abd al-Mu'min led the movement to military victory after Ibn Tumart's death, establishing the Almohad caliphate that would eventually rule all of North Africa and al-Andalus.

Ibn Tumart authored theological works outlining his reformist creed. The Almohad movement he founded represented one of the most significant religio-political revolutions in North African Islamic history. However, his legacy is also marked by controversy, as the Almohad persecution of Jews and Christians in North Africa and al-Andalus was severe. He passed away in approximately 524 AH in Tinmel, Morocco.