declared al-Qādir’s cause, proclaiming him the Commander of the Faithful. A public announcement was made, witnesses were summoned to attest that al-Ṭāʾiʿ had deposed himself and surrendered the caliphate to al-Qādir bi-llāh, and the leading dignitaries confirmed the matter. Al-Qādir was then called for and urged to come at once, while the Palace of the Caliphate was thrown open to plunder until even its wooden fittings were torn away (1).

Al-Qādir wrote:

“From the servant of Allah, the Commander of the Faithful, al-Qādir bi-llāh, to Bahāʾ al-Dawla, Radiance of the Religion, Abū Naṣr son of ʿAḍud al-Dawla.
Peace be upon you.
To proceed: May Allah prolong your life and preserve your majesty. Your letter has reached us concerning the deposition of the rebel who styles himself al-Ṭāʾiʿ, on account of his crimes and evil intentions. By this you have become the exterminating sword of the Commander of the Faithful (2).”

In the following year the deposed al-Ṭāʾiʿ was delivered to al-Qādir, who lodged him in a room under guard yet treated him with courtesy. Heavy demands were made upon the dethroned caliph; on one occasion a half-used candle was set before him, which he rejected, so they brought him a new one (3). He continued to be honored until he died (4). No other deposed caliph had ever been shown such consideration.

His reign had lasted eighteen years (5).

He survived his removal for several years, dying on the night of ʿĪd al-Fiṭr in 393 AH. Al-Qādir led the funeral prayer over him and pronounced the takbīr five times,