He also observed how Egyptian people fought against British colonists to obtain their independence, which influenced his later views.

This situation made him join Muhammadiyah and Persatuan Bangsa Indonesia (Indonesian People's Association).

[5] In 1914, Mansoer and Abdul Wahab Hasbullah (the cousin of Hasyim Asy'ari) founded an educational organization named Nahdlatul Wathan (Awakening of the Homeland).

[5][8] Because of his widespread influence, the colonial government offered him a position in the Het Kantoor van Inlandsche Zaken as the head of the institution of religious affairs.

[8] The purpose of the organization was to aid clerics throughout Indonesia in networking and building relationships with each other, both physically and spiritually.

[9] Under the influence of the nationalism movement, MIAI was also involved in opposing the colonial government, such as in the Gabungan Politik Indonesia (GAPI; Indonesian Political Federation) led by M. H.

Mansoer, along with Sukarno, Mohammad Hatta, and Soewardi Soerjaningrat, were appointed as leaders in 1942; collectively they were known as the Empat Serangkai (Four Series).

Then, he was arrested by the Dutch, and told to give a speech and convince the people of Surabaya to surrender; however, he refused.

[20] On another issue, during the Nineteenth Congress of Muhammadiyah, Hajji Rasul contended that unisex majlis were haraam, but Mansoer disagreed.

[21] In the purification of Islamic teachings, Mansoer prohibited bid‘ah, taqlid, and takhayul (superstition) in worship.