 Abu Ja’far Ahmad's rise to power began in May 923, when the people of Zarang proclaimed him amir.Sistan at that time was ruled by 'Abdallah ibn Ahmad, who was unpopular in Zarang due to his harsh taxes.Taking advantage of his ties to the Saffarids, Abu Ja’far Ahmad gained the support of the city ‘ayyars, who stopped an attempt by ‘Abdallah's son ‘Aziz to maintain control of the town.