In those years, he met with the sheikhs of the desert Arabs from the countryside and the caravan routes. The caravan routes pledged to march with him to fight Al-Khalifa, and whatever wealth, weapons, and cunning they acquired, they would give to him. So, delegations gathered around him, and he headed towards Darfur. He did not approach it from the east, but rather from the south. Before his arrival, he wrote a letter to Al-Khalifa saying: "From Abd al-Rahman, Sultan of Darfur, to his nephew Ishaq. To proceed: I offer condolences and sympathy to you, for you were my brother, as you are closer to him than I am. I advise you to be dutiful to your parents. If you know this, then know that your uncle and his wife are like your father, and it is a disgrace for children to confront their fathers and uncles, let alone draw a sword against them. You are forbidden from fighting. Beware of being provoked by the young and listening to the words of the corrupt, lest they sow discord between me and you. I give you my word and covenant with God that I will leave Khalifa as he was in your father's days and make you my heir. You were loyal to your father's covenant, so listen to my words and spare the blood of Muslims. If you disobey, regret will befall you, and those who have wronged will come to know to what [evil] end they will return." When the letter reached Al-Khalifa and he understood its contents, he wrote to Sultan Abd al-Rahman after greetings: "To proceed: I have covenanted with God Almighty not to disturb my father's peace, and I am loyal to his covenant. It is not right for you to..."