The Mahdi of Sudan Finally, the Mahdi was in Sudan, and he had a strong movement that occupied the governments for a long time. This Mahdi, whose name was Muhammad bin Abdullah, was born in Dongola, and his family claims to be of noble lineage, descended from the Messenger of God. He studied jurisprudence, then Sufism in knowledge and practice. He differed with his sheikh in Sufism, renounced worldly pleasures, and sought spiritual enlightenment, gathering disciples and supporters for his own doctrine. He authored many books for them, inviting them to his path. He continued to grow in his own mind until he believed he was the awaited Mahdi who would fill the earth with justice and righteousness. This belief was strengthened in him by his friend Abdullah, known as Al-Ta'aishi, who became his successor. His origin is also from Dongola. Abdullah suggested this journey to Kordofan, during which he contacted many tribal leaders and helped his call succeed due to the people's dislike of the Egyptian government because of what some of them were doing.