 He participated in the capture of Kufa in 925 and was given command of the town by the Qarmatian leader Abu Tahir.Relations between the two sides, however, subsequently soured, and in 928 Isma'il and several members of his family were killed in a battle with the Qarmatians.Isma'il was succeeded by his son al-Hasan, and at this point the amirate likely subordinate to the Qarmatians.