How did the Buyids reduce Abbasid caliphs to figureheads in Baghdad?

The Buyid dynasty reduced the Abbasid caliphs to figureheads by seizing direct control of the political and administrative functions of the Abbasid caliphate in Baghdad.12

In 945, the Buyid leader Ahmad occupied Baghdad and assumed the title of amīr al-umarāʾ (commander in chief). By doing so, he effectively displaced the military generals who had previously competed for influence over the caliphs, placing the caliphs under Buyid protection and control.12

The Buyids maintained the caliphate as a symbolic institution because they recognized its value as a stabilizing factor for the Islamic world, even though they were Shiʿi and did not view the caliphate as having spiritual authority over them. To solidify their dominance, the Buyids:2
* Assumed control of the caliphate's political functions, effectively turning the caliph into a protégé.2
* Used honorific titles that emphasized their role as the upholders of the state, while the caliphs reserved titles containing the word dīn (religion) for Sunni officials to maintain the appearance of religious independence.2
* Later rulers, such as ʿAḍud al-Dawlah, further asserted their authority by having their names mentioned in the khuṭbah (sermon) after the caliph and adopting the ancient Persian title of shāhanshāh (king of kings).2