Born in the town of Mosul, Midfai served in the Ottoman army during World War I, but deserted in 1916 to take part in the nationalist Arab Revolt.

He returned to Iraq in 1920, but was soon forced into exile in Jordan because of his anti-British nationalist activities.

[1][2] As a seasoned politician and two-time prime minister, he was asked to form a new government in August 1937, following the assassination of General Bakr Sidqi, who had ruled the country as a military dictator for almost a year.

A staunch monarchist, Midfai was again forced into exile to Transjordan following the short-lived pro-Axis coup by Rashid Ali al-Kaylani in 1941.

[4] When the Crown Prince 'Abd al-Ilah came back to Baghdad in 1 June 1941, He summoned Midfai to Him and after careful consultations, the opinion settled on Midfai to form a new government, so the Prince sent Him the following letter: My most luxurious minister Jamil al-Midfai, Based on the dissolution of the government, and given the current circumstances, and depending on your knowledge and sincerity, We have entrusted you to head the new government, Provided that you elect your associates and present their names on us, and God is the Guardian of success.The circumstances in which Al-Madfai was tasked with forming his fifth cabinet were strict and required the appointment of ministers and determining their responsibilities so quickly that he could not think about the extent of the cooperation that would take place between him and his associates in the management of state affairs in these circumstances.