His uncle was supported by some army commanders because they didn't want to be executed for al-Muqtadir's murder by his sons.
His uncle, al-Qahir, rule from 932 until 934, when he refused to abdicate in favour of al-Radi (r. 934–940), he was blinded and cast into prison.
During al-Muti's reign it was expected that he would be succeeded by one of his brothers (especially Ishaq) however he nominated his son al-Ta'i as heir.
When Ishaq died in March 988, his son Ahmad quarreled with his half-sister, Amina, over the inheritance.
To escape capture, Ahmad went into hiding for a while, before seeking refuge with the governor of the swamps of Bathihah near Basra, Muhadhdhib al-Dawla, for about three years.