and the people were forced to pay, even if only a few qirsh. They devised methods of torture until they swallowed the issue of "cotton," where a man would be tied to a post and cotton stuffed into his trousers. In addition to the transgressions of those oppressors against people's honor, they would seize any beautiful woman.

The people of Khartoum were filled with resentment for these reasons, and they realized that their rulers were not good. A revolution was prophesied, promising them salvation from this plight. The Mahdi seized this opportunity, and the Bedouin responded with acceptance and satisfaction from everyone. Some sheikhs even told him, "I pledge allegiance to you, whether you are truthful in your claim or a liar, as long as you are at war with the government."

The Mahdi's Biography The Mahdi was born on the island of Al-Hanaq, south of the city of Al-Mardi, the capital of the province of Kordofan. His parents were from Dongola (Berber) of the tribe called Al-Khanaqiyya, who inhabited this island. His father was named Abdullah bin Ful, and his profession was carpentry, building Nile boats and making oars. He died in the year 1250 AH. He had two brothers named Hamad and Hamida, who were also carpenters and traders. His mother was named Amina bint Qasim, and his grandmother was named Jareh.

In that year, their land suffered from drought due to the low Nile. His father and brothers migrated, and he was an infant, not yet three months old. They settled near the village of Omdurman (Karari), about fifteen miles away. Before he reached the age of reason, his parents died, leaving him in the care of his two mentioned brothers. While grazing, he saw young boys going to the kuttab (religious school) with wooden planks in their hands, learning the craft of boat building. He desired to be among them, so his brothers, Hamad and Hamida, agreed.