his companions; no one ever opposed him without being subdued. He put to death a number of the leading emirs as well as the two caliphs, al-Rāshid and al-Mustarshid. The conflict with al-Mustarshid arose because Masʿūd’s deputies had grown overbearing in Iraq and infringed upon the caliph’s domains. The caliph therefore marched out to fight him, while Masʿūd’s army was encamped at Hamadhan. The two forces met, the caliph’s troops were routed, and he was captured together with several of his commanders. Masʿūd paraded them through Azerbaijan, and the caliph was killed at Marāgha (1).

Thereafter Masʿūd gave himself over to pleasure and idleness, and for a time he suffered from persistent nausea. A dispute then flared up between him and his uncle Sanjar, but they were later reconciled.

Ibn al-Athir (2) said: “He was much given to jesting, of fine character, generous, and scrupulous concerning the wealth of his subjects. Among the sultans he had one of the best records and the gentlest disposition.”

I say: He abolished many taxes and injustices, ruled with fairness, his dominion broadened, and he inclined toward scholars and righteous people, humbling himself before them.

Ibn al-Dubaythī said: ‘Alī ibn Muḥammad al-Naysābūrī related to us, saying: “The Sultan Masʿūd narrated to us; Abu Bakr, the judge of the bīmāristān, narrated to us; al-Barmakī narrated to us a hadith from the (section on the Helpers).”

Abu Saʿd al-Samʿānī said: “He was a courageous champion, intelligent and high-spirited—qualities befitting a sultan. A number of people heard hadith from him. He died in Jumada al-Ākhira, in the year 547 AH.”

I add: He was carried to Isfahan, where he was buried. He lived forty-five years. He was fond of Khāṣ Bīk the Turkmen, promoted him, and placed him above all his commanders,