The Khatmiyya Order: Religion and Politics

Its religious framework. This was something rejected by their leaders, that the Khatmiyya would dissolve into... The Khatmiyya had a special conception of the Mahdist idea. It did not consider Imam Muhammad Ahmad ibn Abd Allah al-Mahdi a true Mahdi. This was not its sole position; it was joined by a group of scholars whom the Mahdists, followers of the existing authority, called "evil scholars." Likewise, those whose interests clashed with the Mahdiyya did not accept it, as did those who suffered from the oppression and terror of the Mahdist men. They stood against it and fought it. Thus, resistance to the Mahdist revolution was an existing matter, not an isolated or unique act. It is also illogical to consider it a form of collaboration with foreigners. The alliance between the former Turco-Egyptian rule and the Khatmiyya was a valid contract throughout Sudan, where the Khatmiyya enjoyed strong influence. Some ladies from the Al Mirghani family helped... resistance to the Mahdiyya in Shandi. The political and military activities displayed by the Khatmiyya Order during the Mahdist revolution gave the Khatmiyya Order strength later, after... the Mahdist state's demise, in coordination with the Anglo-Egyptian rule, to be the first leader... the first man upon whom the English could rely – the heir of the Mirghani house – namely Sayyid Ali. Sayyid Ali is a story in itself, but on the political level, Sayyid Ali, born around... the year 1894 in Masawiyya, near the Sha'iqiyya, was the fruit of a long life of struggle, religious work, and relationships. He forged for himself a political glory and status that brought his followers and those who rallied around him to the first national government in the country. Sayyid Ali al-Mirghani was involved in political work from childhood. The Egyptian government paid him great attention and placed him under its patronage. This was due to the great services rendered by Sayyid Muhammad Uthman al-Awad to the government during the Mahdist period. However, the government at that time also feared the influence of the Khalifa on Sayyid Ali. Therefore, Holdsmith suggested removing him from them. He concluded his memo by saying: "The Khatmiyya Order still has strong influence in Sudan, and it is expected that this boy will be of future benefit to the government." This is according to the study by Abu Salim on Sayyid Ali. The government at that time provided considerable financial assistance to the Mirghanis as compensation for the damages they suffered during the Mahdist revolution.