During his time in government, he was appointed to fill the office of Minister of Religious Affairs in the First Amir Sjarifuddin Cabinet, though he never assumed the post.

Born as the only son of a family of traders, Azhary was educated abroad in Egypt, attending Al Azhar University in Cairo.

After seven years abroad, he returned to the Dutch East Indies, and founded his own school in 1934.

A few years after his return, he became involved in the Indonesian Islamic Union Party (PSII).

In 1951, he became a member of the Madjelis Sjuro (Consultative Council of religious scholars) of the Masyumi Party.