 Abd-Allah is first mentioned as a high-ranking official of the Saffarid ruler Amr ibn al-Layth.Amr was killed in 901, and was succeeded by his grandson Tahir ibn Muhammad ibn Amr.Tahir, however, was only a figurehead, while the real power was held by his uncle Al-Layth, his ghulam Sebük-eri, and by Abd-Allah himself.