This is what Al-Ghanati narrated from him, as narrated by Al-Zarkashi.

Al-Mutasim Al-Qalaki: He narrated from Al-Wathri, with his religion, about his age at the time of his journey to the East, comparing it to the start date of that journey. Ibn Khallikan narrated that he "traveled to the East in his youth seeking knowledge." Ibn Al-Athir followed him in this. Al-Zarkashi specified his age when he was in Alexandria as twelve years old. It is known that the date of his departure to the East was around the year 500 AH.

These elements, combined with the contradictions within them, suggest that the probable period for the birth of the Mahdi is the period extending from the year 469 AH to 491 AH. This is a matter that calls for more balance and weighting to reach a more precise and accurate date.

If we examine the aforementioned elements and compare them, it becomes clear to us that the first element is the one that deserves to be considered first in determining the birth date, because it relates to the date of death and the age at that time. These are the two matters that are more precisely recorded by historians, as if a person has a prominent status, the year of his death becomes famous among people, just as his age becomes famous. The second element is of less importance, considering the stark divergence between the dates mentioned in it. Likewise, the third element is also of little value, because the phrase "in his youth" mentioned by Ibn Khallikan and Ibn Al-Athir is an imprecise phrase. Youth extends for many years from puberty to after the age of thirty. Also, specifying the age of Ibn Tumart when he was in Alexandria, as mentioned by Al-Zarkashi, lacks the specification of the date of his passing through it, so that his birth year can be known. Some researchers have relied on the date of the two states: Al-Zarkashi (48) Ibn Khallikan - Deaths of Notables: (49) 46 Ibn Al-Athir - Al-Kamil: (50) 294. Date of the two states: Al-Zarkashi (01) See what (52) will come: p. 032.