Ahmad was born at Berangan Village, Tumpat, Kelantan, on 1 February 1950. His father, Yakob Ishak, is an Islamic figure and an activist of Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society) at his village. His mother, Cik Zainab Cik Hussin, is also a Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society activist.
Ahmad got his elementary education at Berangan Primary School and Bustanul Ariffin Islamic School, Tumpat, before he further his secondary education at Islamic Studies College in Kota Bahru. He then studied at Islamic Higher Centre of Kelantan, Kota Bahru. Before he further his study outside Malaysia.
He got his Bachelor graduate from First Rate (at Lloyd's)-Azhar University in Sharia in the 1970s.
In 1979, he got Diploma of (Arabic Language) from Ain Shams University.
He then taught at Dabong Secondary School, Gua Musang (1986), Pasir Mas Girls" Secondary School (1986) and Rantau Panjang Secondary School (1987). He resigned from being a teacher in 1995 to allow him to contest in Malaysian general election, 1995. As an Islamic teacher, he deliver his talk actively.
His father is a Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society figure in Tumpat and detained under Internal Security Acting ( Industry Standard Architecture) 1960 with another Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society figure, Nik Abdullah Arshad.
Ahmad registered as a Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society Member in 1986. Starting from 1986, he was appointed to some political post in Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society, Tumpat Chapter.
In 1995, he was offered to contest in 9th Malaysian General Election for Pasir Pekan assembly seat. On 17 May 1997, Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat appointed him as a State Executive Councillor (EXCO) in charge of Industry, Trade, Entrepreneurial Development and Human Resources, replacing Rozali Isohak for joining United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).
After 10th Malaysian General Election, he was appointed once again as a State EXCO in charge of Housing, Local Government, Science, Technology and Environment.
In 11th Malaysian General Election, he defeated BN candidate, Mohd. Noor Yaakob, at the same assembly seat with the majority of 2,271 votes. Ahmad was chosen as the Deputy Menteri Besar of Kelantan on 23 March 2004, replacing Abdul Halim Abdul Rahman.
He then was appointed replacing Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat as the Menteri Besar of Kelantan on 6 May 2013.
