The Yarubid dynasty (also Ya'ariba or Ya'arubi; Arabic: أسرة آل يعرب) were rulers of Oman between 1624 and 1742, holding the title of Imam.

Their forces expelled the Portuguese from East Africa and established long-lasting settlements on Zanzibar, Mombasa and other parts of the coast.

The dynasty lost power during a succession struggle that started in 1712 and fell after a prolonged period of civil war.

The coastal region, particularly the northeast coast around Muscat, was more outward looking, with longstanding connections to Mesopotamia and Persia.

[2] After the early days of Islam, the interior tribes were led by Imams, who held both spiritual and temporal power.

[3] They established a system where the ulama of the Banu Sama, the largest of the Ibadi tribes of the interior, would select the Imam.

[4] In 1507 the Portuguese captured the coastal city of Muscat, and gradually extended their control along the coast up to Sohar in the north and down to Sur in the southeast.

He captured Sur, Qurayyat and Muscat, expanded the fleet and attacked the Portuguese on the Gujarat coast.

This confirmed that the succession was now hereditary, since his father had also succeeded dynastically, while in the Ibadi tradition the Imam was elected.

[11] A large falaj was built to provide water for the town of Al Hamra, and it seems that the Ya'ariba supported major investment in settlement and agricultural works such as terracing along the Wadi Bani Awf.

[13] He made the castle of Rustaq his residence, adding the Burj al Riah wind tower.

The Siege of Fort Jesus ended after 33 months when the thirteen survivors of famine and smallpox surrendered to the Omanis, who now became the dominant power on the coast.

This caused an uprising led by Bel'arab bin Nasir, a relative by marriage of the deposed Imam.

[20] A civil war commenced in which Muhammad bin Nasir seized power and was elected Imam in October 1724.

Saif was only supported by the Beni Hina and a few allied tribes, but had the navy and the main seaports of Muscat, Burka and Sohar.

[25] With his power dwindling, Saif bin Sultan II eventually asked for help against his rival from Nader Shah of Persia.

[28] For a few years after this Saif bin Sultan II was undisputed ruler, but he led a self-indulgent life, which turned the tribes against him.

Taking advantage of the situation, Ahmad invited the remaining Persian garrison to a banquet at his fort in Barka, where he massacred them.