He was known as a wasatiyyah (moderate) cleric, who took syncretic approaches in the religious outlook, and was a Sufi and aspired for reformation and purification of Islam in the Agam region of West Sumatra at the same time.
In addition, some of his militant students were assigned to preach in IV Angkek, especially to the nagari of trade ventures.
Some of his students who continued their efforts in instilling sharia in Minangkabau were Jalaluddin Fakih Shagir who founded surau in Campak Koto Laweh, Agam, Tuanku Bandaro from Alahan Panjang who struggled with Tuanku Imam Bonjol, Tuanku Rao in Rao who took over the nagari leadership and preached in his homeland, and Saidi Muning who held the area in Lintau, Tanah Datar.
By the 1790s in the IV Angkek region, Agam, regulations regarding trade affairs had advanced greatly and as a result, he had been known as the "patron of traders.
Tuan Ku Nan Tuo was a highly respected authority on Islam and the Padri desperately needed his blessing.
Even before the Dutch offensive, Nan Tuo had managed to rally support against the Padri in villages from Candung to Padang Tarab.