al-Muʿizz ibn Bādīs, accompanied by his mother while still a child.

Al-ʿĀdil married her before he attained the vizierate. ʿAbbās later married, and a son—Naṣr—was born to him, whom al-ʿĀdil came to love dearly. He then outfitted the boy’s father for a campaign; when the force encamped at Bilbays, Ibn Munqidh (1) spoke with him, and the two of them—both of whom loathed al-Baykār (2)—agreed to assassinate al-ʿĀdil so that ʿAbbās might step into his post.

Accordingly, Naṣr slew al-ʿĀdil on his very bed in Muharram 548 AH, after which ʿAbbās seized the reins of power and entrenched himself (3).

Naṣr, who was strikingly handsome, won the affection of al-Ẓāfir, and the caliph became attached to him. Naṣr and his father ʿAbbās therefore conspired to eliminate al-Ẓāfir (4).

Naṣr invited him to their house, asking him to come in disguise. The caliph complied and entered the residence that is today the Suyūfiyya Madrasa. Naṣr sprang upon him, killed him, and buried the body inside the house. This took place in Muharram 549 AH.

Some said he had not yet reached the halfway point of his natural span (5); al-Ẓāfir had lived only twenty-two years.

The following morning ʿAbbās mounted and rode to the palace. “Where is our master?” he asked. They searched for him but could not find him. Gabriel and Joseph, the caliph’s brothers, then appeared, and he asked them, “Where is our master?” They replied, “Ask your son.” Enraged, he shouted, “You two have killed him!” and ordered both of them beheaded on the spot (6).