Prior to Malik Shah's accession, the throne had remained vacant for three years following the death of Kilij Arslan I in 1107.
Malik Shah was held prisoner in Isfahan until 1110 when he returned to Anatolia to assume the throne.
Shortly before his death he was defeated by the Byzantine emperor Alexios Komnenos at the Battle of Philomelion.
Malik Shah then signed a treaty with the emperor, allegedly agreeing to let the Byzantines take back all their land in Anatolia, but the treaty was nullified after Malik Shah was deposed, blinded and eventually murdered by his brother Mesud, who succeeded him as sultan.
The loss of prestige suffered by Malik Shah due to his defeat by the Byzantines probably precipitated his fall.