 In October 1917 Waxitov became a member of Kazan VRK.In January 1918, he was appointed commissar of Central Muslim Commissariat of Narkomnats (People's Commissariat on Nationalities) and a chairman of Central Military collegium attached to People's Commissariat of Military and Navy affairs.In August 1918 he fought in the defence of Kazan from an attack by Czechoslovak Legion forces.