During this period, he attended lectures at Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo. He then went to Sennar, saying, "You are a man of stature. When the Bey arrived, and the Qadi returned to his home, he was pleased with his sons and family. He did not neglect others, nor did he consider traveling on a mission. Because the promise was broken, and he did not make light of serious matters, he apologized, saying he had no one to rely on. He said to him, 'My son, we have debts to the people that have kept me from paying them. I cannot travel far. I will leave them to you, so that you may manage them and strengthen my arm for travel.' So I was with him for a few months. After that, a caravan from the Egyptian provinces was organized. My father asked his father for one of two things: either to travel with this caravan, or to allow him to travel with it. He said, 'I will not allow you to go, because I know that the money will be lost, especially since I have been informed that your mother has remarried. As for allowing you to go, you will go with another caravan, God willing, which will provide you with what you need to travel, such as slaves, camels, and gold, so that you will not return except with a satisfied heart.' My father refused. The Sheikh said, 'Seek knowledge. My staying here is a waste of time without benefit.' So their opinions differed, and a disagreement occurred between them. My father left angry and went with the caravan, owning nothing. His father followed him after three days.