Then the year 423 AH began.
On the sixth of Muḥarram the people of Baghdad went out to perform the rain-prayer (ṣalāt al-istisqāʾ) because the seasonal showers were overdue, yet no rain fell and mortality among the populace increased.
When the day of ʿĀshūrāʾ arrived, the Rāfiḍah committed their atrocious innovation: wailing and lamentation filled the streets, markets, and every quarter.
Later, in Ṣafar, the population was ordered once more to assemble for the rain-prayer on account of the drought, but—despite Baghdad’s vast size and great numbers—not even one hundred people turned out in all the city’s mosques.
Events of the year
A clash broke out between the army and Jalal al-Dawlah, and it was agreed that he should withdraw to Basra. He therefore sent many of his singing-girls back to their instructors, retained a few, and departed Baghdad on the night of Monday, the sixth of Rabīʿ al-Awwal. The ghilmān and isfahsālārs (commanders) thereupon wrote to the ruler Abū Kālijār, inviting him to come, declaring that the land was now prepared for him and that no obstinate foe or jealous rival remained. They plundered Jalal al-Dawlah’s residence and other properties besides.
Abū Kālijār’s arrival, however, was delayed because his vizier al-ʿĀdil ibn Ṣāfana counseled him not to proceed to Baghdad, and he complied. As a result the ʿayyārūn (brigands) multiplied in the city, disorder worsened, and Jalal al-Dawlah grew so destitute that he was forced to sell some of his garments in the bazaars.
Meanwhile Abū Kālijār became apprehensive of the Turks and demanded hostages from them; nothing came of it, and the stalemate dragged on. The Baghdad commanders therefore resumed correspondence with Jalal al-Dawlah, urging him to return, offering apologies, and restoring the Friday khuṭbah in his name. After forty-three nights he re-entered Baghdad.
The caliph then dispatched envoys to King Abū Kālijār—among them the jurist Abū al-Ḥasan al-Māwardī—to convey greetings and dispel estrangement. They found him splendidly attired. He asked to be granted the title “al-Sulṭān al-Muʿaẓẓam Mālik al-Umam” (The Exalted Sultan, Master of the Nations). Al-Māwardī replied, “That is impossible, for the Exalted Sultan is the caliph, and so too is Mālik al-Umam.” They finally settled on the title “Malik al-Dawlah.”
Abū Kālijār sent back with al-Māwardī magnificent gifts, among them one million Ṣābūrī dinars, thousands of coined dirhams, and assorted presents and courtesies.
The soldiers then gathered to demand their stipends from the caliph, but he could not provide them. They attempted to have his name removed from the Friday sermon, so the prayer was not held for him that week; it was restored the following Friday. Even so, the city descended further into chaos and the bandits multiplied.
In Rabīʿ al-Ākhir of the same year the caliph swore to Jalal al-Dawlah that his intention toward him was sincere and pure, that he stood upon truthfulness, sound purpose, and inner rectitude (1). Yet soon another quarrel erupted between them because of Jalal al-Dawlah’s gaming, his drinking of nabīdh, and his shameless indulgence. He later apologized to the caliph, and they were reconciled, though on shaky ground.