[1] From his father, he learned falconry and veterinary science, which enabled him to assume a military post in the Fatimid capital Cairo.
[3] Al-Zafir, who was more interested in the pleasures of the court than exercising governance, appointed Ibn Masal, despite the latter's advanced age, as his vizier.
[1] Ibn Masal received the customary titles of the Fatimid viziers, al-Sayyid al-ʿAjal ("most noble master"), Amīr al-Juyūsh ("commander of the armies"), and al-Mufaḍḍal ("the preferred one") or al-Afḍal ("most superior one").
[1] He was quickly successful in calming the quarrels between the Turkish cavalry (Rayḥānī) and the black military slaves by distributing money and promising to take care of their future welfare.
The two armies met in battle at Dalas in the province of al-Bahnasa on 19 February 1150, in which Ibn Masal was defeated and killed.