The reign of the Abbasid caliph al-Muqtafī (r. 1136–1160) was one great historical significance. Despite his having been chosen and elevated to caliphate by Seljuq sultans during nadir power, after they had murdered deposed another, it who finally succeeded in reestablishing political rule over Iraq. This article traces course al-Muqtafī’s relations with sultans, analyzes how why he revi...