Career
Installed in August 1953, he abdicated in October 1955, while Mohammed V was still in exile. The reign of this "Mohammed VI" was not recognized in the Spanish protected part of Morocco. Protests against Ben Aarafa helped lead to Moroccan independence, which was agreed to between France and Mohammed V in 1955.
He died in 1976 in France.
Mohammed V"s grandson now reigns in Morocco as Mohammed VI, ignoring the reign of Ben Aarafa by using the same regnal number.