Za'ba began to seriously write while serving as a temporary teacher in Johor Baru in 1916. His first plan entitled "The Games in Tanjung Kling bathroom Safar" was published twice by Utusan Melayu. Za'ba capable of combining various aspects such as language, literature, religion, economics, politics and education in writing.
When served in Sultan Idris Training College, Tanjong Malim, Za'ba focused on efforts to combine Arabic and English grammar into English and use these grammatical rules in publishing school textbooks and general reading material. When in Tanjong Malim also, Teacher Magazine and Al-Ikhwan have been published. He also contributed writings, including his translation work in both the magazine until 1931. He then continued his literary career by writing articles for publication as a religious book. His first effort, a book was published in Grassroots Development in 1932.
Za'ba sat for the final examination for the University of London external course and received his Master of Art Second Class at the age of 59 years old. He officially received the titile scholar (Pendeta) in the form of a Malay cap (songkok)in 1956 at the Third Malay Language Literature Congress in Johor Baharu.
In 1953, he was appointed as senior lecturer in the Department of Malay Studies, Universiti Malaya. Together Ungku Aziz, he set up the formation of the Organization of Language Students and two years later he established the Federal Bahasa Melayu Universiti Malaya (bum).