The unification reveals a strong resemblance that strengthens the suspicion of the latter being influenced by the former.

4. The Imams - At first glance, it seems that Ibn Tumart was clearly influenced by the Shi'a regarding the Imamate and its subsequent concepts of Mahdism and infallibility. However, an analysis of the Mahdi's views on these matters, as we have previously explained, reveals a personal element in the structure of these views. The order of the Imams, according to him, differs from their order according to the Shi'a, and the awaited Mahdi he spoke of differs in his person from the awaited Mahdi according to the Shi'a. The infallibility he explained differs in its elements from the infallibility they spoke of. Therefore, if we are to speak of a type of Mahdi's influence by the Shi'a, it does not go beyond borrowing the general idea from the mentioned matters. As for the elements and details, they are from his own creation, necessitated by the political circumstances that surrounded him.

After clarifying the sources of Ibn Tumart's views, what was certain and what was probable, it becomes necessary to ascertain whether his role in these views was merely selection, or if he had a role beyond that, involving personal innovation and renewal that organized these different views into a unifying whole.

Anyone who contemplates Ibn Tumart's various views will find a personal element in them. This element may appear in the generation of new views, as we saw especially in the issue of fundamental principles and the subsidiary issues that arose from it, such as the issue of leadership and its relationship to the origin on one hand, and governance on the other. It may also appear in the derivation of new evidence for a particular view, or in the development of familiar evidence for it, as we saw in the arguments he presented for the divine existence and especially for monotheism. It may also appear in the manner of presentation and arrangement, which is evident in most of his views.

Especially in his fundamental principles, he organized most of his fundamental views so that they would fall under the idea of fundamental principles, serving to support and affirm his view on them.

In Theology: See on the possibility of the Mahdi's influence by the Mu'tazila: Ahmad Hammoud Subhi (51) and Al-Abadi, Al-Muwahhidun wal-Wahda. And Hassan Al-Islamiyya (52) The Rise of the Almoravid State - Ahmad Mahmoud. And onwards. See above p. (52). 303