Málaga was the second largest city of the Emirate after the capital and its most important Mediterranean port, without which "Granada was no more than an isolated mountain-girt city", according to historian L. P. Harvey.[8] As it had been reoccupied after a rebellion lasting more than a decade, governing the city posed a difficult challenge and Abu Said was likely chosen because of his administrative experience in addition to his father's previous tenure there. According to Rubiera Mata, Abu Said "would brilliantly overcome" these challenges.[9] With his katib (secretary) Ibn Isa, he implemented policies—with both firmness and gentleness, according to the near-contemporary historian Ibn al-Khatib—which eventually won over the people of Málaga and improved economic conditions. He also became rich from the tax revenues of the region.[10][11] He embarked on the project of constructing large ships in Málaga, to which Rubiera Mata attributes "the great power of the Nasrid fleet in the following years".[4][12] He maintained high personal prestige due to his standing in the royal family as well as his administrative and military accomplishments, and began receiving dedications in works of literature.[10][11] Ibn al-Khatib reported that he cared for his son Ismail, who enjoyed "the favour of his father" (ni'mat abihi).[13] He also had a younger son, named Muhammad, whose birth date is unknown.[14]