It is said that the underage and nervous new ruler, who was returning to Zanzibar after 3 years abroad at a boarding School, was so overcome by the unexpected death of his father and by the overwhelming crowds upon his arrival that Sayyid Ali was unable to speak for two days.
Inasemekana kuwa mtawala mpya mwenye mshawasha na umri mdogo, ambaye alikuwa akirejea Zanzibar baada ya miaka 3 nchi za nje katika shule ya bweni, alizidiwa sana na Kifo ambacho hakikutarajiwa cha baba yake na makundi ya watu makubwa wakati wa kuwasili kwake kiasi Sayyid Ali alikuwa hawezi kuzungumza kwa siku mbili.