Chapter Two The Khatmiyya and the Mahdist State In fact, before delving into the nature of the relationship that united the Khatmiyya Tariqa and the Mahdist government, we must clarify the nature of the ties that arose between the leaders of the Khatmiyya and the Turkish government before the Mahdiyya. Initially, some researchers have tried to establish a link between the delegations of Muhammad Uthman (al-Khatm) to Sudan and the arrival of the Turkish ruler, due to the temporal proximity of these two events. Some have wanted to say that the two events are linked (1). However, Professor Abu Salim believes that this is pure slander and that Sayyid Muhammad Uthman did not come to Sudan through Egyptian planning, nor did he pave the way for Muhammad Ali's invasion. Rather, Muhammad Uthman (al-Khatm) had no connection (2) (as was said) with the Turks because he did not communicate with them directly, adhering to the conduct of his master, Sayyid Ahmad ibn Idris, in abstaining from contact with rulers. A true relationship between the Khatmiyya and the Turks did not arise until after the death of Muhammad Uthman al-Khatm and his son, Sayyid Muhammad al-Hasan, took over the affairs of the Tariqa (3). The officials in eastern Sudan revered and respected him and believed in his righteousness and steadfastness in the truth, so much so that Mawhir Pasha described him in a report as a memorizer of the Quran, inclined to silence, and averse to arrogance (4). The rulers of eastern Sudan knew the status of this man and his influence among the tribes in that region, so they drew close to him and established ties with him. Sayyid Muhammad al-Hasan provided them with sincere assistance in a number of situations, the most important of which was the Jihadiyya revolt in Sudan, which broke out in 1881, in which lives were lost violently in Kassala in the year 1881. Muhammad al-Hasan al-Mirghani intervened on several occasions to stop the conflict between the two parties (5). Although Sayyid al-Hasan was described as shunning politics and hating strife and bloodshed (6), some tried to say that al-Hasan was playing his role in the Jihadiyya crisis in favor of the Turkish administration, as a prelude to eliminating the rebels. It is also said that some circles accused him of being behind this movement (7). Dr. Abu Salim states that al-Hasan was sincere in his efforts and diligent in them (8).

Holy Families and Islam in the Sudan (Holt P. M.P. 8) Quoted from the History of the National Movement in Sudan (Muhammad Omar Bashir) p. 17 Muhammad Ibrahim Abu Salim: Investigation of the Book Al-Ibana Al-Dhuriyya regarding the owner of the Khatmiyya Tariqa (2) Same, same page (3) - 3881 Al-Nasser Abdullah Abu Kroog: History of the city of Kassala, Master's thesis (Cairo University, 1981) (4) Printed by machine, author's page 14 - Faculty of Arts, 1971 (5) Na'um Shuqair: Previous source, p. 154 to Al-Nasser Abu Kroog: Previous source, p. 14 (6) (7) Muhammad Ibrahim Abu Salim: Investigation of (Al-Ibana Al-Dhuriyya), p. 17 (8) Same, same page