His replacement by the unpopular Mohammed Ben Aarafa, whose reign was perceived as illegitimate, sparked active opposition to the French protectorate both from nationalists and those who saw the sultan as a religious leader.
Hans afløser var den upopulære Mohammed Ben Aarafa, hvis regeringstid blev opfattet som illegitim og udløste aktiv modstand mod det franske protektorat både fra nationalisternes side og fra dem, der så sultanen som en religiøs leder.