Some of them had prophecies that foretold events, and they witnessed them come true. Among the signs they considered to be indicative of this were two ancient, adjoining towers between the Mosque of Ibn Tulun and Cairo. On one of them was a statue facing west. On the other was a statue facing east. They believed that if one of them fell, it would foretell the defeat of the people of the direction it was facing in the lands of Egypt and elsewhere. It was a strange coincidence that the statue facing east fell, and shortly after its fall, the Ghuzz (i.e., Saladin and his army) took over the Fatimid state, conquering Egypt and all the surrounding lands. They are now awaiting the fall of the western statue and the occurrence of what they hope for, which is the rule of their people, God willing.

It is not hidden that Ibn Jubayr's statement contains exaggeration driven by enthusiasm for the Almohads. However, it is a statement that, in any case, depicts the feelings of the people of Egypt of distress and bitterness due to the rule of the Shiite Fatimids. Their longing for salvation from them led them to create such visions. These visions reflect the far-reaching impact of the Mahdi's call in the East.

This state, founded on the principles of Ibn Tumart and a result of his call, was established to reform the corruption that was rampant during the era of the Almoravids. The Mahdi declared a revolution against them because of their ignorance of religion, their unlawful shedding of Muslim blood and confiscation of their wealth, their falling into disbelief and anthropomorphism, their denial of truth and their turning away from it, their commission of abominations and immorality, and their persistence in stubbornness and corruption.

Were the successors of this state committed to the teachings and principles that Ibn Tumart proclaimed, and for the sake of which he revolted against the Almoravids, in order to establish a state based on them that upholds truth, follows the path of justice, and strives for the welfare of the nation?

This question cannot be answered with general judgments about a state ruled by thirteen caliphs for a century and a half. This is because the character of the caliphs varied.

Ibn Jubayr, The Journey: (15) See: Ibn Tumart, Treatise on the Explanation of the Sects of the Falsehoods: (16) 351