page_title: Saif bin Sultan II
section_title: Divided rule
hierarchical_section_title: Saif bin Sultan II / Divided rule
caption_attribution_description: English: Sohar Castle
context_page_description: Saif bin Sultan II was the sixth of the Yaruba dynasty of Imams of Oman, a member of the Ibadi sect. He held the position of Imam four times during a chaotic period of civil war and invasion by Persian forces.
  Saif bin Sultan II inherited leadership of the country as a child, but was pushed aside in favor of his brother. His brother was deposed, and Saif was again proclaimed Imam, although power was held by a regent who later proclaimed himself Imam. The regent was deposed, Saif was proclaimed Imam again, and after a civil war was again deposed in 1724. Fighting continued, and in 1728 Saif became Imam for the fourth and last time. He was forced to share power with a rival Imam who controlled the interior. A civil war ensued in which the country was divided. Saif bin Sultan II twice called for help from Persia. The first time the Persians looted the towns and caused great destruction before leaving. The second time they set about conquering the country. Saif bin Sultan II was deposed in 1742 and died in 1743.
context_section_description: Soon after Saif bin Sultan II had been installed, some of the inhabitants of Az Zahirah elected Saif's cousin Bal'arab bin Himyar as Imam.
  From this time the country was divided between the Ghafiri (Sunni) and the  Hinawi (Ibadi) factions.
  After early clashes, the rival Imams remained armed but avoided hostilities for a few years. Bel'arab controlled most of the interior, and gradually gained the ascendancy on land. 
  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.
  Saif adopted an extravagant lifestyle at his residence in Rustaq, developing a love of Shirazi wine.
  With his power dwindling, Saif bin Sultan II eventually asked for help against his rival from Nader Shah of Persia.
  A Persian force arrived in March 1737.
  Saif bin Sultan joined the Persians. They marched to Az Zahirah where they met and routed the forces of Bal'arab bin Himyar.
  The Persians advanced through the interior, capturing towns, killing, looting and taking slaves.
  They then reembarked for Persia, taking their loot with them.
  For a few years after this Saif bin Sultan II was undisputed ruler, but continued his a self-indulgent life, which turned the tribes against him.
caption: The fort at Sohar
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