"We have no desire for worldly power or kingship, nor any longing for its fleeting life or pleasures. Our sole purpose is to guide people to God, as He and His Messenger have commanded us. If you reject our message, then do not accept from us anything, neither in kind nor in coin. You will see what will befall you. Listen attentively, for I speak the truth. If you have any understanding, know that God Almighty has shown me His mercy by making obedience to Him through following me, and His wrath upon those who disobey Him by opposing me. He has drawn me near to Him with victory and triumph, and has supported me with His messengers, His proofs, and His angels and saints. No one among mankind or jinn could harm me, even if they were to combine their strength. If I wished, God would seize your weapons, and your companions would kill you and not be killed. But I have chosen the success of God Almighty, and martyrdom in His path, following the example of the Messenger of God, may God's peace and blessings be upon him. May God be pleased with them. In the days of delusion, the army of God is victorious. This is sufficient for those who desire it. Peace be upon you.

The memory of the English expedition to Dongola after the rescue of Sir Charles Wilson from the Mahdi's camp. The nation sent an army under the command of Abd al-Rahman al-Najumi, who was coming to them. There was a Mahdist army encamped north of the river. They set up dummy soldiers made of wood, resembling the Mahdist army, at the beginning of the night. From a distance, they appeared as cavalry, and they lit kerosene lamps in the pitch darkness. They marched until they reached the well of Abu Talih. No one around them knew of their departure from al-Qubba, where they thought the Mahdist army was. They believed the soldiers were standing in their fort. At night, they saw the lamps above the tents, and they suspected nothing of the army's survival. They remained in this state for three nights, firing bullets at the tents. On the morning of the third day, they realized..."