The Almohads: How a Berber Reformation Conquered North Africa and Spain

In this episode, we explore the rise of the Almohad movement under the messianic figure Ibn Tumart and his successor Abd al-Mu'min. Beginning with Ibn Tumart's reformist preaching among the Masmuda tribes of the High Atlas, we trace how the Almohads defeated the Almoravids, captured Marrakech, and built an empire stretching from the Atlantic to Tripolitania and deep into al-Andalus. We discuss the military campaigns, the founding of the Ribat at Tinmel, the construction of the Koutoubia mosque, and the intellectual legacy of Almohad rule — including their embrace of Ash'ari theology and the works of Ibn Rushd. This episode touches on the siege of Marrakech in 1147, the Battle of Alarcos, and the eventual decline. The conversation also covers the Almohad caliphs' architectural projects, their administrative innovations, and the complex relationship between Berber identity and Islamic reform.

#Almohad #IbnTumart #AbdAlMumin #Marrakech #Koutoubia #Tinmel #Berber #Masmuda #AlAndalus #Ashari #IbnRushd #Almoravid #IslamicEmpire #NorthAfrica #History #FexingoHistory #Medieval #Reform

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