He was released from the prison of potential heirs to the throne to succeed his brother Murad IV who wanted him to be executed but only survived because he was deemed too mad to be a threat. He almost led to the downfall of the empire in no time; he was obsessed with obese women and ordered his officials to search for the fattest woman possible. When they found her, he was so pleased that he began to give her government pension; she was also given the title of Governor General of Damascus. He was some time seen feeding coins to fish in the palace's pool.