In 1206, Genghis Khan had established a powerful dynasty among the Mongols of central Asia.

During the thirteenth century, this Mongol Empire conquers most of the Eurasian land mass, including both China in the east and much of the old Islamic caliphate (as well as Kievan Rus) in the west.

Hulagu Khan's destruction of Baghdad in 1258 is traditionally seen as the approximate end of the Islamic Golden Age .Mongols fear that a supernatural disaster will strike if the blood of Al-Musta'sim, a direct descendant of Muhammad's uncle and the last reigning Abbasid caliph in Baghdad, is spilled.

The Shiites of Persia stated that no such calamity had happened after the deaths of the Shiite Imam (leader) Hussein; nevertheless, as a precaution and in accordance with a Mongol taboo which forbids the spilling of royal blood, Hulagu has Al-Musta'sim wrapped in a carpet and trampled to death by horses on 20 February 1258.

The Caliph's immediate family is also executed, with the lone exceptions of his youngest son, who is sent to Mongolia, and a daughter who becomes a slave in the harem of Hulagu.