محمد المهدي السنوسي

Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Ali al-Sanusi, known as al-Mahdi (1843 – around 1902 CE), the second leader of the Sanusiyya. He was the son of Muhammad ibn Ali al-Sanusi, succeeded his father after his death, and was known for righteousness. ²

Al-Zirikli says that the order grew strong in his time, until its lodges spread from the Far Maghrib to India, and from Wadai to Istanbul, most of them in the Sahara and North Africa. Each lodge had a deputy who ran its affairs, taught people's children, kept livestock and farmed, and was aided by the disciples. ² What exceeded the lodge's expenses went to the head of the order, and Al-Zirikli holds that the head of the order had come to resemble a king to whom tribute is paid. ²

Al-Zirikli says that Sultan Abd al-Hamid feared the outcome of his affair. The shaykh sensed this, and in 1312 AH he left for the oasis of Kufra, then moved to Wadai, and died there. ²

The year of death (around 1902 CE) is converted from the Hijri date, and a second source is advised to check it.