He was born 1873 in Damascus, Syria, during the time of Ottoman Syria.[5] Ayoub studied with painter Jean-Paul Laurens in Paris.[5] They naturalized to the United Kingdom in July 1907.[6] It has been assumed he worked as one of the art copiest team, under artist Luke Fildes.[7] Moussa Ayoub died on the 15th June 1955 in London.[8]