His rule began after a period of conflict and internecine rivalry of succession that followed the death of his father, Sultan bin Ahmad, in November 1804.

Said is noted for moving his capital to Zanzibar, where it remained during the time when the Omani Empire reached the zenith of its power and wealth.

[5] Sultan's brother Qais bin Ahmad, the ruler of Sohar, decided to attempt to seize power.

Early in 1805 Qais and his brother Mohammed marched south along the coast to Muttrah, which he easily captured.

[9] In 1820, he launched a punitive expedition against the Bani Bu Ali with the assistance of the East India Company.

[11] In 1835, he ratified a treaty with the United States on very favorable terms, that had been negotiated by Edmund Roberts at Muscat on 21 September 1833,[12] and returned by USS Peacock.

In 1840, Said moved his capital from Muscat to Stone Town in Zanzibar, where Richard Waters was American Consul,[14] and sent a ship to the United States to try to further a trading relationship.