His real name was Aḥmad b. al-Mutawakkil ʿalā Allāh. He was also known as Ibn Futyan. On the 13th of Rajab of this year, on a Tuesday, he received the oath of allegiance (bayʿa) for the caliphate at the house of Emir Yarjukh, a few days before the deposition of al-Muhtadī. Then, on Monday the 8th of Rajab, a general oath of allegiance was given. Twenty days before the end of Rajab, Mūsā, the son of al-Būyā al-Kabīr, and Mufliḥ came to Sāmarrāʾ and pledged allegiance to him. Afterwards, Mūsā went and settled in his own house. Thus, the fire of discord there was extinguished.
As for the black leader who claimed to be an ʿAlid, he was besieged in Basra. The caliph's soldiers kept him surrounded. Every day, he tormented the people of Basra, seized their property as spoils, and took control of the food and provisions brought to them by ships. After this, he invaded Ubulla, Abadan, and other towns. The people of Basra were greatly afraid of him. His power increased steadily, and he maintained this strength and position until the end of the year.
In this year, a man named ʿAlī b. Zayd al-Ṭālibī rebelled in Kufa. The caliph's soldiers came against him, but ʿAlī b. Zayd defeated them. His position in Kufa grew stronger, and the discord intensified.
In this year, Muḥammad b. Wāṣil al-Tamīmī attacked Ḥāris b. Simā al-Sharābī, the governor of Ahvaz. He killed him and seized the city of Ahvaz.
In the month of Ramaḍān of this year, Ḥasan b. Zayd al-Ṭālibī gained control over the city of Rayy and its surrounding towns. Mūsā, the son of al-Būyā al-Kabīr, set out against him in the month of Shawwāl. The caliph also saw Mūsā off as he departed.
In this year, a great battle took place at the gate of Damascus between the governor Amājūr and Ibn ʿĪsā b. al-Shaykh. The governor of Damascus, Amājūr, had only about 400 cavalry with him, while Ibn ʿĪsā had nearly 20,000 soldiers. Amājūr defeated him. The caliph appointed him governor over the region of Armenia, instructing him to leave the district of Syria. He accepted this appointment, departed from Syria, and left.
In this year, Muḥammad b. Aḥmad b. ʿĪsā b. Manṣūr led the people in the pilgrimage (ḥajj). Among the pilgrims was Abū Aḥmad b. al-Mutawakkil, who, however, hastened and returned to Sāmarrāʾ. Three days before the end of the month of Dhu al-Ḥijja, on a Wednesday night, he entered the city.
In this year, the caliph al-Muhtadī passed away. May Allah have mercy on him.
The other notable figures who died this year are as follows: