An Analysis of the Attempts to Legitimize the Successors of Adud al-Dawla in the Buyids Era (372-447 AH)

Legitimacy is one of the fundamental components in the relationship between the government and the people. Rulers throughout history have sought to justify power in ways that are acceptable to the people. The Buyid government has also used various means to gain legitimacy to advance its power. Following the death of Adud al-Dawla, the second half of the Buyids' rule became the scene of the internal power struggles and family disputes. Nevertheless, the rulers of this period sought to gain legitimacy in various ways in order to strengthen the foundations of their power. Using a descriptive-analytical method and based on the library studies, this study seeks to analyze the efforts for legitimizing the Buyids rulers in the period after the death of Adud al-Dawla until the fall of this government. The present study tries to answer the question that "what methods did the emirs of the Buyids use to gain legitimacy between the years 372 - 447 (AH)?" Findings indicate that regardless of the domestic ambitions that have overshadowed the history of the Buyids in this era, Adud al-Dawla's successors considered some criteria to gain legitimacy, such as gaining political privileges from the caliphate, paying attention to the ancient heritage, efficiency and securing public interests.