He was born on 5 July 1883 in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire, a son of Prince Mehmed Selaheddin Efendi and Naziknaz Bashanimefendi. He became Sultan of the Ottoman Empire and Caliph of Islam upon the death of Abdülmecid II on 23 August 1944. He reigned until his death on 4 June 1954 in Constantinople. He was succeeded by his half-brother Osman IV. Among his children was Sultan Ali I.