A Khurasani Arab from the Banu Khuza'a tribe, he was one of earliest followers of the Abbasid missionary effort (da'wa) in Khurasan, and eventually became one of the principal leaders ("the twelve naqaba'") of the—as yet secret—Abbasid movement.[1][2] On the outbreak of the Abbasid Revolution in late 747, he was chosen by the Abbasid leaders as camp commander and head of the security force (shurta) under the main Abbasid commander, Abu Muslim, while his son Nasr was named as his deputy.[1][3] In this capacity, Malik participated in the battles of the Abbasid Revolution in Khurasan and in the offensive westwards under Abu Muslim.[1]