History of Islam Vol 3 of 3 by Akbar Shah Najeebabadi

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The History of Islam
luxury and comfort and lost their spirit and courage, Vaqub bin Laith
succeeded in setting up his own independent regime. He belonged to
a family of brass vessel makers therefore he was called "saffar", which
comes from the word brass in Arabic. He achieved this success simply
because of
his soldierly character. Yaqub was matchless in friendliness,
He easily made friends and served them
generosity and simplicity.
wholeheartedly even at the cost of his own comfort. Due to these
honorable traits, he was able to gather around him a very large circle
of
friends, supporters, followers and well wishers. As a king, he never
ignored his childhood friends and gave them opportunity to attain
high social and political positions. Even during his tenure as a ruler,
he behaved like an ordinary soldier. He never showed any reluctance
in sleeping on the ground and digging trenches. He abhorred the life
of luxury and debauchery. He showed firmness and determination in
whatever task he performed. These are the reasons why he reached
the pinnacle of power and glory from a very humble position. He
became so mighty and formidable that the Caliphate of Baghdad was
never able to overpower him by any means.
Following the death of Yaqub, bin Laith, his brother Amr bin Laith
came to the throne. He expanded his territory. Even though he is said
to be superior to Yaqub in wisdom and sagacity, he lacked the
soldierly character and simplicity of his brother. He was once defeated
by Muwaffaq, the brother of Caliph Mu'tamid. But he lost no time in
restoring his position and became a terror for the caliphate. At last, the
caliph sent Ismail Samani, Governor of Mawaraunnahr to take on Amr
bin Laith Ismail Samani came out with twenty thousand horsemen
against Amr bin Laith's seventy thousand strong cavalry, which had
come across the river Oxus to give battle to his enemy. However,
during the fierce fighting Amr bin Laith's horse carried him to the
battle line of Ismail Samani's army where he was easily captured.
Ismail Samani sent him to Baghdad and thus the greatness and
grandeur of the Saffaria almost met its doom.
The greatest difference
between Yaqub bin Laith and Amr bin Laith
lay in the fact that, while Yaqub could live on dry bread and face
hardships
with a Smile on his lips Amr bin Laith lived a luxurious life
with all the royal comforts and splendor at his command.