Leaders & Politicians · 21st Century

Saddam Hussein’s Last Words

April 28, 1937 December 30, 2006 Age 69 Iraqi
There is no God but God and Muhammad is the messenger of God.
— Saddam Hussein, December 30, 2006

Who Was Saddam Hussein?

Saddam Hussein ruled Iraq as dictator for 24 years. His invasion of Kuwait led to the Gulf War, and his regime was toppled by the 2003 U.S. invasion.

The Final Moments

Saddam was executed by hanging in Baghdad. He was reciting the shahada (Islamic declaration of faith) when the trapdoor opened. The execution was filmed on a mobile phone and leaked worldwide.

Are These Words Verified?

✓ High Confidence

Video documentation and audio from the execution clearly captured him reciting the shahada. This is one of the most verifiable modern last words due to video evidence.

Sources

  • firsthand Leaked execution video
  • archive Iraqi government execution records
  • newspaper International news coverage 2006

Legacy

Saddam's overthrow created a power vacuum that led to years of sectarian violence and the rise of ISIS. The Iraq War remains one of the most contested decisions in modern history.

IraqdictatorexecutionGulf War

Frequently Asked Questions

What were Saddam Hussein’s last words?

“There is no God but God and Muhammad is the messenger of God.”

How did Saddam Hussein die?

Saddam Hussein died on December 30, 2006 at the age of 69. Cause of death: Execution by hanging.

Were Saddam Hussein’s last words documented?

Video documentation and audio from the execution clearly captured him reciting the shahada. This is one of the most verifiable modern last words due to video evidence.