and all the finery was displayed: before him lay the ‘Uthmani codex of the Qur’an, the Mantle rested upon his shoulder, the staff was in his hand, and he was girt with a sword (1). The curtain was then let down, and the Turks and the Daylamites entered without arms.

Permission was next granted for ‘Adud al-Dawla to enter; the curtain was raised for him, and he kissed the ground.

The narrator relates: Ziyad (2) the commander was alarmed and said in Persian, “Is this God?” He was told, “No; this is God’s Caliph on His earth.”

‘Adud al-Dawla advanced and kissed the ground seven times. Al-Taʾiʿ said to his servant, “Draw him nearer.” He came up and kissed the ground twice, whereupon the Caliph said, “Come closer.” He approached until he kissed the Caliph’s foot; al-Taʾiʿ bent his hand toward him and bade him sit. After at first refusing, he finally sat on a chair when the Caliph swore, “I adjure you—you must sit.”

The Caliph continued, “How eagerly we have longed for you and yearned to confer with you.” ‘Adud replied, “My excuse is known.” Al-Taʾiʿ said, “Your intention is trusted,” and ‘Adud bowed his head. The Caliph then declared:

“I have resolved to delegate to you everything that God has entrusted to me of the subjects’ affairs, in the East and in the West, save only my own household and private matters. Undertake this, seeking refuge with God.”

‘Adud replied, “May God aid me in obeying our master the Commander of the Faithful and in serving him; I would like the senior commanders to hear your words.”

Al-Taʾiʿ ordered, “Bring al-Ḥusayn ibn Mūsā, Ibn Maʿrūf, and Ibn Umm Shaybān.” They were brought forward, and the Caliph repeated his statement of delegation. ‘Adud was then invested with the robes of honour and the crown. The Caliph signalled for him to kiss the ground, but he could not, so al-Taʾiʿ said, “Enough.”

He fastened two standards for him with his own hand, then said, “Let his decree be read,” and it was read aloud. Al-Taʾiʿ said, “May God ordain the best for us, for you, and for the Muslims. I command you with what God has commanded you, and I forbid you what God has forbidden; I disclaim before God all else. Now rise in the Name of God.”

He then handed him, with his own hand, a second sword in addition to the ceremonial one, and ‘Adud left through the Private Gate and traversed the city.

Abu Isḥāq al-Ṣābiʾ (3) composed an ode on the occasion, from which are the following lines: