The Khatmiyya Order: Religion and Politics

This was something rejected by their leadership – for the Khatmiyya to dissolve. The Khatmiyya had a special conception of the Mahdist idea and did not consider Imam Muhammad Ahmad bin Abd Allah the Mahdi as a true Mahdi. This was not their sole position; a group of scholars, whom the Mahdi considered followers of the existing authority and whom he called "evil scholars," shared this view. Furthermore, those whose interests clashed with the Mahdiyya, and those who suffered from the oppression and terror of the Mahdist men, opposed and fought against it. Thus, resistance to the Mahdist revolution was an existing phenomenon and not a spontaneous or unique act. It is also illogical to consider it a form of collaboration with foreigners.

The alliance between the former Turco-Egyptian administration and the Khatmiyya was a valid contract throughout Sudan, where the Khatmiyya enjoyed strong influence. Some ladies from the Al Mirghani family in Shandi assisted in this. The political and military activities demonstrated by the Khatmiyya Order in resisting the Mahdiyya during the Mahdist revolution later gave the Khatmiyya Order strength. Following the demise of the Mahdist state, the Khatmiyya coordinated with the Egyptian administration to be the primary leader. Sayyid Ali, the heir of the Al Mirghani house, was to be the first man the British could rely on. Sayyid Ali is a story in himself, but on the political level, Sayyid Ali, born in the village of Musawwi in the Sha'iqiyya region, was the fruit of a long life of struggle, religious work, and relationships. He forged for himself political glory and a status that led his followers and those who rallied around him to the first national government in the country.

Sayyid Ali Al Mirghani was linked to political work from childhood. Egypt took great interest in him and placed him under its care. This was due to the distinguished services rendered by Sayyid Muhammad Uthman al-Awsi to the government during the Mahdist period. However, the government at that time also feared the influence of the Khalifa on Sayyid Ali. Therefore, Holdsworth suggested his removal from them, concluding his memo by stating: "The Khatmiyya Order still has strong influence in Sudan, and it is expected that this boy will be of benefit to the government in the future." This is according to a study by Abu Salim on Sayyid Ali. The government at that time provided substantial financial aid to the Mirghanis as compensation for the damages they suffered during the Mahdist revolution.