 The life of Aliyu unlike other sudanic princes at the time was one of a strict adherence to "Tasswuf", according to the "Tarikh al Kano", Aliyu was a strict adherent of the Qadariyyah Order and a gifted swordsman.At a young age he wrote the "Rad al Jahla"; a sufist text for initiates.In 1893, shortly after the death of Emir Muhammad Bello, Sultan Abdurrahman appointed Tukur the new Emir of Kano.