Years of unrest led to a severe split, followed by drought.

Al-Hasan and Kafur In the year 357 AH, during these internal disturbances, the Romans of Constantinople, under the leadership of Emperor Nikephoros Phokas, advanced into Syria with a large army and captured Aleppo, which was still in the possession of the Hamdanids. They encountered Sayf al-Dawla. The ruler of Damascus, under the Ikhshidids, mobilized and rushed to the aid of the Hamdanids with ten thousand men. Nikephoros, hearing of this reinforcement, chose to retreat.

In the year 357 AH, Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Kafur, who took the title Al-Ikhshidi, requested from the Caliph Al-Mutii' Allah to be confirmed in Egypt. He was confirmed, and thus the Abbasid authority returned to Egypt. Kafur was proclaimed on the pulpits in Mecca, all of the Hijaz, the Egyptian lands, and the Levant, including Damascus, Aleppo, Antioch, and Tarsus, among others. Kafur remained in this position for two years. The Fatimids had already captured Fayoum and Alexandria, as previously mentioned, and were gradually extending their rule to the rest of Upper Egypt. Kafur died on the 10th of Jumada al-Ula in the year 357 AH and was buried in the Qarafa al-Sughra. His tomb is known there.

Ahmad Abu al-Fawaris ibn Ali Kafur was succeeded by Ahmad Abu al-Fawaris ibn Ali al-Hasan Ali ibn Muhammad al-Ikhshidi. Abu al-Fawaris was only eleven years old, so the Caliph did not confirm him in power.

Syria and other lands subject to the Ikhshidids pledged allegiance to Husayn al-Ikhshidi. However, he had barely established himself when the Qarmatians attacked and took the lands from him. He fled to the East, intending to take revenge on Ahmad Abu al-Fawaris.

When the Ikhshidid family split up near the end of their reign, the dynasties collapsed. When the state officials saw the division among the ruling family, they grew tired of waiting and went to seek the help of the Fatimids, who had already conquered a large part of Egypt. They responded to the call, and Husayn advanced into Syria and captured Damascus. As for Ahmad Abu al-Fawaris, he was deposed.