Ibn al-Haytham was born in Basra, which is in modern-day Iraq. Little is concretely known about his early life and upbringing. Basra, at this time, was a major intellectual center of the Abbasid Caliphate, exposing him to rich traditions of Greek philosophy, mathematics, and scientific inquiry. The vibrant intellectual environment likely fostered his innate curiosity and thirst for knowledge.

Details of Ibn al-Haytham's early career are scarce. Historical accounts suggest he may have held some sort of governmental or administrative position in Basra. Stories circulate (though their veracity is questioned) that he feigned madness to avoid such a post, preferring to dedicate his life to learning and scientific pursuits rather than burdensome official duties.

Ibn al-Haytham was summoned to Egypt by the Fatimid Caliph al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah. The Caliph, known for his eccentric nature, tasked Ibn al-Haytham with devising a way to regulate the flooding of the Nile River. Ibn al-Haytham proposed a hydrological project to build a dam, but upon surveying the river, he realized the technical infeasibility of the project with the resources available at the time. Fearing the Caliph's wrath, he feigned madness again.

After the failed Nile project and feigning madness, Ibn al-Haytham was placed under house arrest (or, at least, a restricted residence) in Cairo. During this period of confinement, he dedicated himself fully to his scientific studies, primarily focusing on optics. This time was exceptionally productive, as he developed and refined many of the concepts that would later form the basis of his monumental work, the "Kitāb al-Manāẓir" (Book of Optics).

Following the death of Caliph al-Hakim in 1021 CE, Ibn al-Haytham was released from house arrest. He then dedicated himself to completing the "Kitāb al-Manāẓir". This seven-volume treatise presented a comprehensive and revolutionary understanding of vision, light, and optics. It challenged existing theories based on the emission theory of vision (that the eye emits rays to see objects) and established the intromission theory (that light rays reflect off objects and enter the eye), providing experimental evidence for its claims. This work became a cornerstone for the development of optics for centuries to come.

After completing "Kitāb al-Manāzir", it is believed that Ibn al-Haytham continued his scientific pursuits, writing on a variety of topics, including mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy. While details surrounding his scientific production after the book of optics are limited and somewhat vague, it is certain that his mind was active and producing works until his death.

Ibn al-Haytham died in Cairo around 1040 CE. He spent the later years of his life writing and teaching. His "Kitāb al-Manāẓir" was translated into Latin in the 12th century and had a profound impact on European scholars during the Renaissance and the Scientific Revolution, influencing figures like Roger Bacon, Johannes Kepler, and Isaac Newton. He is remembered today as one of the most important figures in the history of optics and a pioneer of the scientific method.