Knowledge is originally a guide, and ignorance, doubt, and conjecture are origins of misguidance. And he realized through this debate that the methodological basis of the Almoravid culture would be a great barrier to his call. This led him to elaborate on knowledge, its foundations, and its methods, as a prelude for minds to understand his call and accept it. In this sense, his research into knowledge and methodology was part of his plan for the call, and this research can be divided into the following elements: The reality of knowledge and its virtue: The reality of knowledge: 1 Contrary to those who hesitated in defining knowledge and said it is unknowable because its essence is necessary for its conception, Ibn Tumart provided a definition of knowledge, saying: "It is a light in the heart by which truths and characteristics are distinguished." And he said in another place: "As for the meaning and reality of knowledge, it is the clarity of truths in the soul." Two things draw our attention in this definition: The first is the expression "light in the heart." This reminds us of Al-Ghazali's expression about the certainty he obtained that it is a light that God Almighty cast into the chest. Does the Mahdi see knowledge as a heart-felt acquisition not gained through contemplation and reflection? This meaning might be supported by his saying in another place: "And knowledge is a light from God, by which He guides whom He wills." His upcoming discussion of the methods of knowledge, such as reason, hearing, and senses, and his analysis of the roles of these methods, will confirm, as we shall see, that he does not go to that meaning. However, these expressions are merely an appreciative description, intended by him. See: Ibn Tumart, A'azz ma yutlab: (4) See: Al-Adud al-Din al-Iji, Al-Mawaqif: (5) And see also in them, 3/1, and Hajji Khalifa, Kashf al-Zunun: 25. And what follows. Aidān al-Dīn? Narīt ghazla for knowledge: and also in A'azz ma yutlab: Ibn Tumart (6) Same source: (7) See: Al-Ghazali, Al-Munqidh min (8) Al-Dalal: 91. Ibn Tumart, Risala fi anna al-Tawhid huwa (9) Asas al-Din: 279. 162