Sudan Archive

Open the original scan

OriginalTranslateMachine translation — not a source document

However different the manifestations of this personal element may be, it ultimately culminates in a unity that gathers all of Ibn Tumart's opinions. This is represented by that functional character which reveals to the contemplator of these opinions that each idea of the Mahdi was crafted to serve a specific function in achieving the comprehensive reform plan he drew up for Moroccan society and strived diligently to implement. The opinions related to the conceptual understanding were prepared to be suitable for the creedal understanding of the people. The opinions related to the Imamate and the command of good and the prohibition of evil were prepared to assist in achieving political and social change, from the perspective of legitimate authority that establishes justice and security. And the legal opinions on the basis of which the new society's conduct would be, and thus the element of employing opinions to serve reform, which is not for the sake of novelty and innovation.

Notes related to the Mahdi's opinions on the call: His opinions were included within the framework of the call to implement Islamic Sharia. The Mahdi deeply believed that life in all its aspects should proceed according to the Islamic methodology. He harnessed all his intellectual, psychological, and scientific energies to achieve this matter in which he believed. He had, in this regard, an experience in the call as deep as his faith in the necessity of the supremacy of Sharia, and as rich as the energy he exerted for the sake of this faith. If the Mahdi did not document his experience in the call in a theoretical outcome that governs his opinions on the foundations and methodology of the call, then through his practical practices, we can infer some of the foundations he relied on and the rules he followed in his call.

We observe, first and foremost, the firm conviction in the mind and soul of the Mahdi of the necessity of connection between thought and action. For abstract ideas, however much they carry the principles of truth, do not achieve their full value unless they become a basis for people's behavior and guide their path. It is not his revolt against the scholars and jurists loyal to the Almoravids, nor his revolt against Ali.

Text produced by OCR — report an error