Opinion is formed by combining multiple sayings gathered from different works. This deficiency was a cause for a number of researchers to generalize Mahdi's opinions excessively and to fall into some errors in reporting those opinions as a result of their habit of relying on one aspect of their presentation without completing the picture from other aspects.

The selective nature of Mahdi's opinions: We previously indicated that Ibn Tumart developed a critical mindset due to the diversity in the sources of his knowledge in creed and jurisprudence, and due to the quality of the teachers he learned from. This characteristic allowed him to be free from the complete sectarian commitment that followers of a specific sect or school of thought adhere to, following all the opinions of that sect or school, or at least adhering to its general principles. This is what most theologians and jurists followed.

When we examine Ibn Tumart's opinions on various issues, we find that these opinions are not based on sectarian unity. Rather, they are drawn from different schools of thought, benefiting from the various doctrinal and jurisprudential understandings that Islamic thought had reached by the early sixth century. It is as if Ibn Tumart, after studying the different schools, adopted from each what he saw as closer to the truth and more suitable for his reformist purpose, for which he formulated his ideas. Therefore, the selective nature was evident in his ideas, to the extent that the sources from which Mahdi benefited in formulating his opinions can be clearly discerned. We will attempt in the following to present these sources, explaining the extent of Mahdi's benefit from them.

Ash'arism: Most researchers into Mahdi and his opinions portray Ash'arism as the most important source of these opinions, which is supported by Ibn Khaldun's statement: "And they carried..."

See, for example, his opinion on pages 11, 196.

See, for example, Bergvik's determination of Ibn Tumart's opinion on analogy, pages 12, 309 and onwards.

See previous pages 13, 72.

In Theology: - And Ahmad Mahmoud Sobhi, 148. The pledge of allegiance for the succession... - See: Hussein Mounes 14, 356.