Qutb al-Din's father had served as the malik Shah-i Shahan's representative in Sistan during the latter's absence while campaigning with Timur. After Shams al-Din Shah 'Ali's death Qutb al-Din was selected by the malik as his replacement. Both Shah-i Shahan and Qutb al-Din participated in Timur's campaign against the Ottomans in 1402; on the return journey Shah-i Shahan died and Timur appointed Qutb al-Din as his successor.