He was governor of Berber shortly before the return of Gordon Pasha. It was attributed to him, within the context of the Egyptians' return to Cairo, that he was in charge of this matter and did not allow the Mahdi to reach Cairo. His friend, Muhammad al-Khair, was a preacher of the Mahdi in Berber. He mentioned the arrival of Muhammad al-Khair, calling for the Mahdi to come to Berber. He migrated in the month of Jumada al-Akhirah in the year 1300 AH. Al-Khair returned to Berber. He was with the Mahdi in El Obeid and had written to him a letter to the people of Berber and Dongola, stating that he had been appointed by him as their emir and ordered them to pledge allegiance to him as his representative. The emir's name was Muhammad al-Shakir, but the Mahdi changed it to Muhammad al-Amir. He went to the Mahdi after the appointment of Hussein Pasha as Khalifa over Berber. When he arrived, Hussein Pasha spoke to him and said, "You have delayed in fulfilling your duty. Go to the Mahdi and declare your submission to him and your entry into his allegiance." Hussein Pasha intended by this action to have the Mahdi appoint him as governor over Berber and Dongola. Muhammad al-Khair accepted Hussein Khalifa's suggestion, who gave him travel expenses and a letter for the Mahdi. He set out from Berber to El Obeid, where he was received by the Mahdi with great honor and unparalleled hospitality. After a few days, he was granted the emirate over Berber and Dongola, and he was gifted many horses, camels, and she-camels. He returned, and when he reached the first settlement of Berber from the north, his people received him with great celebration. He sent scribes to invite people to a general assembly in Al-Matamma, which is halfway between Berber and Khartoum. He called them to pledge allegiance to the Mahdi. Many showed doubt in the truth of his claims. Then, a speaker stood up and said, "I bear witness to God and His angels that he is the awaited Mahdi." He then arrested a man and said to them, "If he is not the Mahdi..."