The Cambridge History of Iran notes that Sultan Muhammad "tried energetically to restore the slipping authority of his dynasty in Iraq".

[3] Meanwhile, the insurgent Abbasids under caliph al-Muqtafi was seizing the Turks of Iraq, and in 1155 supported a rival claimant to the throne, Suleiman-Shah.

Muhammad crossed to the western side and easily captured it, and established his camp while at the same time the caliph fortified the walls of eastern Baghdad.

He also ordered his vizier Awn ad-Din ibn Hubayra to give 5 golden dinars to every wounded soldier.

On March 29, the Seljuks repaired one of the bridges and crossed to the eastern side of the city, where they skirmished with both the Caliph's army and the native militias of Baghdad.

He had already made 400 ladders to climb the walls of Baghdad, but the assault was repulsed due to the heavy fire and casualties.

Muhammad also was forced to lift the siege after his men informed him that his brother Malik-Shah III has captured Hamadan.

Muhammad shortly managed to repel Malik-Shah III, but became sick during this period, and eventually died in 1159 at Hamadan.

[12] Muhammad had a son, whom he handed for protection to Atabeg Hasbeg bin Ak-Sungur Ahmedili, who took him to Maragheh.