Born in 1833 in the village of Sharip in Verkheuralsk province, Orenburg Governorate (these days in the Uchalinsky District, Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia) to the family of mullah of the local Islamic community.

After returning to Bashkortostan, introduced several innovations into the local Sufi practices: singing zikr aloud, the observance of Mawlid, (the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad), wearing prayer beads etc.

Endured persecution for preaching Sufizm: the local conservative mullahs and the officials of mainstream Islam accused him of disseminating heresy and undermining activity aiming at the authorities in power.

Served his exile successively in Zlatoust (eight months), Nikolsk, Vologda Oblast (1873-1876) and Kostroma (1876-1881).

Numerous legends are preserved in the Bashkir public memory about the miracles and healings performed by Zaynulla Rasulev.