This movement enjoyed widespread popularity and united Tatar farmers, craftsmen and petty bourgeoisie.
The main doctrines of Wäisi were disobedience to civil laws and administration, adherence to the Sharia and Qur'an rather than government regulations, evasion of service in the "kafir" army and of paying imposition, and refusal to obtain the Russian passport featuring a double-headed eagle.
After the arrest of Bahawetdin Wäisev and some other leaders, the remaining membership switched to underground work.
After the First Russian revolution in 1905-1907 the Wäisi movement increased in size and was renovated and reconstituted as Islamic Socialism.
Mirsaid Sultan-Galiev and Mullanur Waxitov were among its most influential followers, organising the Muslim Socialist Committee of Kazan.