He succeeded his father at the age of 16. In 1912 when the French occupied Morocco, Muhammad's father Yusuf replaced his brother as Sultan. In 1927 at the age of 16 Muhammad was chosen to succeed his father. The choice was made by the French who had imagined to have clout on a 16-year-old boy. But Muhammad secretly collaborated with the Istiqlal party a nationalist organisation. His popularity in Morocco increased when the French attacked the Sultan in 1950. He along with his family was exiled to Madagascar, where he remained for three years. In 1955 the Sultan regained Morocco on 2 March 1956. Morocco became independent and he became the Chief of the State.