Although the Almohad state was founded in the Maghreb and did not extend beyond Tripoli, it cast its gaze eastward beyond Tripoli, especially towards Egypt. This was in response to what the Mahdi had mentioned about possessing both the Maghreb and the East. This hope became a firm resolve when Abu Yusuf Ya'qub al-Mansur took power (reigned from 1184 AH / 1198 CE to 1198 AH / 1201 CE). The state reached its zenith during his reign. Al-Marrakshi mentioned: "He declared to the Almohads the journey to the East, and began to mention the Egyptian lands and the evils and heresies within them, saying: 'We will purify them, God willing.' This resolve remained with him until his death, may God have mercy on him."

If Ibn Jubayr is truthful in his account, then the Almohads had a widespread presence in Egypt, and the people of these lands, as he saw them, were eager for the Almohad call and awaited its arrival. He says in this regard: "One of the strange things we witnessed concerning the faithful Almohad call was the spread of its message in these lands and the people's awareness of its dominion. They look forward to it in the morning with clarity, affirm its truth, and await it like the Hour, in which they have no doubt of its fulfillment. We witnessed this in Alexandria, Egypt, and elsewhere." He also mentioned a strange matter that indicates that this noble matter is the true command of God and His truthful call. It was conveyed to us that some of the scholars and leaders of these mentioned lands had prepared sermons to deliver before our master, the Commander of the Faithful, may God exalt his cause. They await that day with patience, and anticipation for happiness, and waiting for...

Al-Marrakshi, Al-Mu'jib: (12) Ibn Jubayr's journey to the East was from (13) This coincides with the end of Yusuf ibn Abd al-Mu'min's reign, from 578 AH / 1182 CE to 581 AH / 1185 CE. Ibn Jubayr, Al-Rihla: (14) 57 . 350