Khartoum And it was Abd al-Qadir ibn Umm Biyum, whose treacherous dealings with Gordon we have already mentioned, and his appointment as one of his commanders, that Gordon had declared his blood forfeit and offered a reward for his head. Then Gordon wrote to al-Mahdi, telling him that Abd al-Qadir ibn Umm Biyum was his friend and old companion, and that he had come as a messenger from al-Mahdi. Al-Mahdi was afraid that Gordon would take revenge on Abd al-Qadir, so he began to support him by sending him money. These are the texts of the letters.

From the Book of Proclamations The First Book In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Praise be to God, the Lord of the Worlds, and prayers and peace be upon our master Muhammad and his family. And thereafter: The servant who relies on God, al-Mahdi ibn Abd Allah, to Gordon Pasha, may God guide him to the path of salvation before he perishes, Amen. We have received your reply, which reached us and we have read its contents. We have admonished you for not submitting and obeying our command, because you do not know the truth that we are upon, and according to our position and our guidance to God, and our compassion for all of God's creation, even those like you. Our hearts were not pleased to overlook you, and we continue to coax you, hoping that God will guide you to the right path. So answer the call of God and seize your safety from the coming destruction, for you have seen what has happened and what has befallen. You are still weak, and you and your helpers have no strength against the soldiers of God, in fear. You mentioned that Abd al-Qadir, son of Umm Biyum, is your beloved, and we accept his word and advice, and you requested his dispatch. So, are you turning to God and intending to surrender to us through the aforementioned?