His father, Rustam ibn Bahram, a Persian man, left Iraq with his son and wife to join the Maghreb, but died when he arrived in Mecca or its surroundings.
[1] Abd al-Rahman was a quick and energetic learner, and had studied under Abu Ubaida Muslim in Basra.
The first Imam of the Ibadites had captured Kairouan from the Warfadjuma warriors and after his conquest, he gave several parts of Ifriqiya (central North Africa) to Abd al-Rahman (in June 758—the same year—Ibn al-Asha'ath retook Kairawan).
He seems to have had a very peaceful reign and worked hard to ensure that justice and simplicity were also instilled in Tahert's legal system.
The eastern Abadite communities held high respect for him and sent him a number of money and presents, in addition to recognizing his right to an Imamate.