The early life of Muhammad Shah is unknown.[5] The current Sultanate of Brunei was formed by Muhammad Shah, with the help of his brothers Awang Pateh Berbai (also known as Ahmad of Brunei, the third Sultan of Brunei) and Awang Semaun.[2] He ruled from 1368[4] to his death in 1402.[1] He ruled as Raja Awang Alak Betatar until the early 1360s,[4] at which point he converted to Islam to marry the daughter of the King of Temasik (Old Singapore, known as that time in Brunei as Johor).[4][1]