Though contemporary sources do not indicate when Anushtakin learned Arabic and converted to Islam, Lev presumes it occurred during his time in Damascus.[11] It is not clear which tradition of Islam Anushtakin followed.[12] However, al-Maqrizi indicated that Anushtakin subscribed to Isma'ili Shia Islam, the religion of the Fatimid state, but toward the end of his life, he deviated from the Isma'ili madhab (school of thought), which was rarely practiced in Damascus, possibly to Sunni Islam.[12] Lev doubts that Anushtakin ever deviated from the state religion,[13] and asserts that in any case, Anushtakin firmly forsook his pagan past for a Muslim frame of reference.[14]