Historical Representations of Yaʿqūb b. al-Layth: A Reappraisal

Abstract

The extraordinary ascendancy of the Saffarid dynasty began with the meteoric career of its founder, Yaʿqūb b. al-Layth al-Saffār. Yaʿqūb appeared on the historical scene in 238/852 as the member of an Eastern Iranian military band, and ended his days as the ruler over a vast swathe of territory stretching from today's ʿIraq to the borders of today's India; while at least theoretical acknowledgement of his overlordship was found both in Central Asia and the holy cities of Arabia.

The Roots and Achievements of the Early Proto‐Sunni Movement: A Profile and Interpretation

“…77 The proto-Sunnis generally and the mutat · awwi'a specifically evidently had no compunction about working closely with these dynasties and their governments because they were essentially proto-Sunni/Sunni ghāzī states, very often led by men who were sympathetic to the proto-Sunni program or who were mutat · awwi'a themselves. 78 As such, these dynasties conformed broadly to the proto-Sunni program: they were committed to jihad (though now primarily on the Central Asian frontier), they stood against "heretics" (the proto-Sunnis' opponents), and, while giving lip service the political authority of the 'Abbāsid caliph, they readily acknowledged the religious authority of the 'ulamā'. 79 That these dynasties aligned themselves with the proto-Sunni movement shows the extent to which the movement was gaining ground, particularly in the east, throughout the 9 th and 10 th and into the 11 th centuries.…”

The Eclipse of Khurāsān in the twelfth century

“…cis-Oxanian Khurāsān, together with what was usually its dependent province, Transoxiana (obviously, during Sāmānid times, the seat of government was actually located in Transoxiana), although "Khurāsān" is normally used in the primary sources to encompass both the cis-Oxanian and trans-Oxanian territories that were normally incorporated under the rule of the governorate of Khurāsān; it is in this more inclusive sense that the term "Khurāsān" will be used henceforth. 7 On which see, in addition to Tor 2015: Tor 2009aTor 2002;and Bosworth 1975: esp. 162-87. of this dynasty's realm was far greater than that of any other Sunni dynasty had been since the political crumbling of the unitary caliphate.…”