He lacked the qualities of his father 'Adud al-Dawla and failed to have a grip upon his state affairs.

[3] During 'Adud al-Dawla's lifetime, Abu Kalijar Marzuban was assigned the governorships of Buyid Oman and Khuzestan.

This issue was never completely clarified by 'Adud al-Dawla before his death, resulting in a succession crisis.

Marzuban, who was in Baghdad when his father died, at first kept his death secret in order to ensure his succession.

In Diyar Bakr, a Kurd named Badh ibn Hasanwaih took power and forced Samsam al-Dawla to confirm him as its ruler.

However, his relative from his mother's side, Ziyar ibn Shahrakawayh, managed to make most of them change their mind and stay loyal to Samsam al-Dawla.

In 985, a Dailamite chief, Saffar ibn Quddawiyah, revolted against the authority of Samsam and joined with Shirdil.

In early 986 Samsam captured Basra and Khuzestan, forcing the two brothers to flee to Fakhr al-Dawla's territory.

However, Asfar quickly changed his mind, and declared allegiance to the latter's other brother Abu Nasr Firuz Kharshadh, who was shortly given the honorific epithet of "Baha' al-Dawla."

He gained the support of the Kurdish ruler Badr ibn Hasanwaih and prepared for the expedition.