By consolidating the position of his son Al-Mahdi among his brothers, he paid great attention to highlighting him and raising his status. It is most likely that he did this out of a sense of his approaching death, so he hastened to strengthen his son to succeed him as the leader of the movement, out of concern for its future. He also wanted him to overcome the obstacles that Al-Mahdi the younger might place in the way of his succession.

And what is narrated about him in this regard is that he said: "We are from the group of Al-Mahdi." His wife Sukayna said to him: "Is he from your group, or are you from his group?" He replied: "No, we are from his group." He also said on another occasion: "Al-Mahdi has the sword, and the book is for me." Then he put the sword on him and said to him: "Go forward and lead us in prayer." He also said: "I have lived for three years in the shadow of Al-Mahdi." Al-Ashhab mentions that Ibn Al-Senussi used to stand out of respect for Al-Mahdi when he asked for permission to leave. He once polished his shoes and said to the brothers: "Bear witness that I served Al-Mahdi," as sweat dripped from Al-Mahdi's body. Al-Hashaishi narrated in his discussion of Al-Mahdi: "My father used to kiss his palm with joy when he saw the eloquence of his speech." And in the last illness of Ibn Al-Senussi, he said: "We did not leave this world except out of shyness from the light of Al-Mahdi." It seems that Al-Mahdi understood his father's intention and considered his words as encouragement and did not take them negatively. We have already mentioned his words to Ahmed Al-Sharif in this regard. It also appears to us that Ibn Al-Senussi did not say what he said about his son merely to consolidate his position, but also out of belief in his words and admiration for his son's character and qualities.

His childhood and his father's care for him: From the few reports narrated by the historians of the Sanusiyya about Ahmed Al-Sharif, we can infer...

Al-Mahdi, p. 30. Ahmed Al-Sharif, Al-Hashaishi, op. cit., p. 1. See Chapter Two.