Beginning from 1987 he worked as imam of 'Imam Bukhari' mosque in Payariq town. Later in 1989-90s he studied at Karaviyin University in Morocco. After university he continued his job in "Imam Bukhari" mosque of Payariq. Starting from January 2000 he was appointed Grand Mufti of Samarkand Region (Viloyat).
Following the resignation on grounds of health of Chief Mufti Abdurashid Bahromov, the Mejlis of Ulama of Uzbekistan elected Alimov Chief Mufti of Uzbekistan on 8 August 2006, a post he held until his death.