Criticism of the Almohad state's tendencies in their souls. If this is the case, then it does not detract from Ibn Tumart's sincerity in his faith and his call. This trait remains one of the distinguishing features of his personality.

Cruelty and Violence - 3 The Mahdi was characterized by a sharpness of temper, perhaps its seed was deeply rooted in his mountainous nature, then nourished by the hardships he endured in his long journey. This estrangement from family and homeland, which lasted for many years, and this sharpness clearly appeared in the style he used in enjoining good and forbidding evil on his return journey. We often saw him smashing musical instruments and wine vessels, and using a stick to separate men and women in their mixed processions and gatherings.

The incident in Marrakesh pushed this sharpness towards cruelty and violence. As we mentioned before, the man had strong faith in the legitimacy of the reform he called for, yet he faced fierce opposition from the Almoravids, was accused of not wanting good, of not acting out of religion, but of pursuing worldly interests, and was then sentenced to death and hunted to carry out the sentence. This stark contrast between the position of the Almoravid authority and his sincere desire for reform fueled the sharpness in his nature, turning it into a trait of cruelty that reached the height of violence. Perhaps his practice of celibacy also contributed to this, as he lacked the family and children that might have softened his nature.

We often find preachers characterized by sharpness and violence. Firm belief in the principle being called for, when met with denial and rejection, and the call for it to become a reality in the lives of those in this research. (See page 23). Ibn Khallikan mentioned in his "Wafayat" (Deaths) (page 24) that he often recited the words of Al-Mutanabbi: "And if I knew the days, I would know them and the people. He narrated that his spear is not merciful, So he is not merciful if they capture him, nor is there sin in the destruction that befalls them." 138