Muslim became a companion to the governor of Iraq, Umar ibn Hubayra, who in 722/723 appointed him as governor of Khurasan, replacing Sa'id ibn Amr al-Harashi.[3][4] He took office at a sensitive time, as widespread unrest among the native Iranian and Turkic populations of newly conquered Transoxiana had been brutally suppressed by al-Harashi.[5][6] When appointing him to the post, Ibn Hubayra advised him to seek conciliation with the native populations, and especially the converts (mawali).[3] Indeed, al-Kilabi appointed officials that would be acceptable to the locals, such as Bahram Sis, a Zoroastrian who was appointed as marzban of Merv.[3][7]