Abu Kalijar has built up his power in Fars, although the first several years of his reign are marked by the oversight of his tutor, a eunuch named Sandal.

When Sultan al-Dawla became the senior amir of the Buyids in 1012, he had appointed his brother Abu'l-Fawaris (thereafter known as Qawam al-Dawla, "Foundation of the State") as governor of Kerman.

When Sultan al-Dawla left Fars for Iraq in around 1017, Qawam al-Dawla decided to attack.

With the support of the Ghaznavids, he had invaded and occupied Fars.

A counterattack had expelled him from that province, but he had managed to retain his hold on Kerman.

Eventually, Qawam al-Dawla and Abu Kalijar had engaged in hostilities against each other; the fighting ceases only when Qawam al-Dawla dies, from poison, in late 1028.

Abu Kalijar takes over Kerman.