The death of the Mahdi and the succession of the Khalifa.

When Khartoum was opened and the Egyptian rule was restored, people became more convinced of the Mahdi's claim, especially after witnessing his success in his campaigns. He hardly experienced a battle without victory, nor besieged a city without conquering it. If one considers the obstacles and battles faced by the British army coming to rescue Gordon, one would marvel at the extraordinary success that befell Ahmad. His followers saw this as proof of his divine favor, and he himself became convinced that he was the ruler of Sudan from one end to the other. He imagined he would conquer lands and depose kings, spreading his authority across continents. However, he did not expect all this to happen through his own hands, but he used to say that he would not die until after the conquest of the Two Holy Cities and Jerusalem, and then he would descend to Kufa and die there. His prophecy did not come true, as he did not live to consolidate his rule and reside in his capital, Omdurman, for more than a few months. He was struck by a severe typhus epidemic and died on June 22, 1885. He died on what was described as a simple Sudanese bed, surrounded by his three successors, especially his closest ones: Ahmad Wad Sulayman, Abd al-Baqi Wad al-Majzub, and Uthman Wad al-Ajami. When the Mahdi felt his death approaching, he said in a low voice that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had chosen Khalifa Abd Allah as his successor, and that he was pleased with him, so they should obey him as they obeyed him. He then asked for forgiveness, recited the testimony of faith, placed his hands crossed on his chest, and surrendered his soul. He had not yet breathed his last when the leaders came and pledged allegiance to Abd Allah, calling him "Khalifa al-Mahdi." Among those present at the Mahdi's death was his wife, Aisha Umm al-Mu'minin. People had gathered in large numbers around the house, calling her "Our Lady" and awaiting good news from their master and Mahdi. When they learned of his death, they wailed and cried out. He instructed them that weeping and lamenting were forbidden, as the Mahdi had only departed from his earthly form by his own will. They washed the body, shrouded it, and dug a grave in the room where his soul departed. They covered it and built a dome over it, calling it "Qubbat al-Mahdi" (The Dome of the Mahdi), which people visit for blessings. After the Mahdi's burial, Khalifa Abd Allah went to the mosque and addressed the people, announcing the Mahdi's death. He wept, and the people wept with him. He then urged them to obey and unite to implement his teachings. After the sermon, people came forward to pledge allegiance to him. The Mahdi had sent his envoys to the regions to spread his call and consolidate his rule, urging people to obey him.