The Council of Ten (Arabic: مجلس العشرة or أهل الجماعة) was a group of Ibn Tumart's earliest and closest disciples, at the top of the hierarchy of the Almohad movement.[1]: 68 [2] It was composed of members from different tribes, including ‘Abd al-Mu’min al-Kumi of the Zanata, the chronicler al-Baydhaq of the Sanhaja, and the tribal chief Abu Hafs ‘Umar al-Hintati of the Masmuda.[1]: 68 The Council of Ten evoked the image of the Prophet Muhammad's ten companions,[1]: 68 though sources indicate that, for the Almohad council, ten was more of a name than a fixed number of members.[3]: 32
The status of members of the Council of Ten was based, not on tribal origin, but on adherence to Almohad doctrine and proximity to Ibn Tumart.[1]: 68 Members of the Council of Ten were appointed as governors and given military responsibilities from the conquest of Marrakesh in 1147 until 1157, when ‘Abd al-Mu’min started appointing his heirs.[3]: 133
Of the few primary sources on the matter there are the anonymous Kitāb al-Ansāb (كتاب الأنساب في معرفة الأصحاب)[4] and Ibn al-Qattan's Nuẓm al-Jumān (نظم الجمان لترتيب ما سلف من أخبار الزمان).[5]
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