Yusuf Motala
Encyclopedia
Shaikh al-Hadith Yusuf ibn Sulaiman ibn Qasim Motala (b. November 25, 1946) is an Indian Muslim scholar of Islam
and one of the disciples of the late Shaikh al-Hadith Muhammad Zakariyya al-Kandhalwi.
, which is located in the state of Gujarat, India
. Though their source of income was farming, his paternal grandfather, Qasim Motala, relinquished his land on a contract and adopted business as his source of income. Due to his premature death, Shaikh's father, Sulaiman ibn Qasim Motala, was raised in his mother's care. After reaching puberty, he started a business. His first marriage was into an honourable family of another village in the district of Surat
called Hathuran
. From that marriage, he had a son named Mohamed Ali. Unfortunately, this wife died within a few years, after which he married Shaikh's mother. Her family hailed from Kholwad, a village on the shores of the Tapisti River in the district of Surat
. For unknown reasons, however, they shifted to the village of Nani Naroli. There, they adopted farming as their source of income. Shaikh was born at his maternal grandfather's house in Nani Naroli on the night of Monday, November 26, 1946.
In 1953, Shaikh's maternal aunt died in South Africa
during childbirth. For this reason, Shaikh's grandfather sent Hadhrat's mother to South Africa
to marry her brother-in-law and raise his children. Though she did not wish to abandon her sons, she agreed and reluctantly departed for South Africa
. From then on, seven-year-old Hadhrat and his nine-year-old brother were raised by their grandparents. However, within a few years, they died. Thus, Shaikh and his brother were raised by their maternal aunt.
and studied Urdu
at Madrasa Targhib al-Qur'an. In 1961, Shaikh enrolled at Jaamia Husainiyya, where he completed the first five years of the Alimiyya course. Thereafter, in 1966, Shaikh enrolled at Madhaahir al-Uloom. His classes commenced on February 23, 1966. He studied Mishkat al-Masaabih under Shaikh al-Hadith Yunus Jaunpuri, Tafsir al-Jalaalayn under Shaikh Muhammad Aqil, the third volume of Hidaaya under Mufti Yahya, and Mishkatul Masaabih for a second time under Shaikh al-Hadith Muhammad Zakariyya al-Kandhalwi.
In the following year, Shaikh studied Sahih al-Bukhari
under Shaikh al-Hadith Muhammad Zakariyya al-Kandhalwi, Sunan Abu Da'ud
, Sunan al-Nasa'i, and Mu'atta Imam Malik under Shaikh Yunus Jaunpuri, Sahih Muslim
and Sunan al-Tirmidhi
under Shaikh Mudhaffar Husain, and Sharh Ma'aani al-Athar under Shaikh Asadullah. At around this time, Shaikh wrote a letter to Shaikh al-Hadith Muhammad Zakariyya al-Kandhalwi requesting his acceptance of Shaikh's bay'ah. He replied, accepted Shaikh's bay'ah, and entered Shaikh into his silsila
.
. Approximately four months later, in early June, Shaikh travelled to England. His marriage was conducted within five or six weeks. Shaikh passed the Ramadhaan of 1969 with his Shaikh in Makkah and Medina
. One night, whilst in I'tikaf, after the performance of Salaah al-Taraawih, Shaikh's Shaikh sent for him and Shaikh Ismail Badat and bestowed khilaafah upon them, wrapping turbans on their heads.
, Lancashire
, in 1973. At present, he is the founder and patron of numerous Islamic institutes throughout the world and spiritual guide to thousands of Muslims all over the world. His students, who number thousands, are scattered across the world, occupied in the service of din in varying capacities. More than 75% of English-speaking Ulama
in the UK are graduates of institutes founded by Shaikh, a number of whom are engaged in the reinforcement of community relations. Shaikh is a dedicated educationist and has devoted much of his life to establishing schools and colleges for the betterment of the Muslim
community. His work has been praised by both the community as well as OFSTED
.
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
and one of the disciples of the late Shaikh al-Hadith Muhammad Zakariyya al-Kandhalwi.
Ancestry & Early Life
Shaikh's father's family hails from Varethi, a village in the district of SuratSurat
Surat , also known as Suryapur, is the commercial capital city of the Indian state of Gujarat. Surat is India's Eighth most populous city and Ninth-most populous urban agglomeration. It is also administrative capital of Surat district and one of the fastest growing cities in India. The city proper...
, which is located in the state of Gujarat, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Though their source of income was farming, his paternal grandfather, Qasim Motala, relinquished his land on a contract and adopted business as his source of income. Due to his premature death, Shaikh's father, Sulaiman ibn Qasim Motala, was raised in his mother's care. After reaching puberty, he started a business. His first marriage was into an honourable family of another village in the district of Surat
Surat
Surat , also known as Suryapur, is the commercial capital city of the Indian state of Gujarat. Surat is India's Eighth most populous city and Ninth-most populous urban agglomeration. It is also administrative capital of Surat district and one of the fastest growing cities in India. The city proper...
called Hathuran
Hathuran
Hathuran is an Indian village situated beside NH 8, about 42 km from Surat. It is well connected to Indian railways. Local trains from Surat or Bharuch can be taken to reach Hathuran.-Geography:Hathuran is located at ....
. From that marriage, he had a son named Mohamed Ali. Unfortunately, this wife died within a few years, after which he married Shaikh's mother. Her family hailed from Kholwad, a village on the shores of the Tapisti River in the district of Surat
Surat
Surat , also known as Suryapur, is the commercial capital city of the Indian state of Gujarat. Surat is India's Eighth most populous city and Ninth-most populous urban agglomeration. It is also administrative capital of Surat district and one of the fastest growing cities in India. The city proper...
. For unknown reasons, however, they shifted to the village of Nani Naroli. There, they adopted farming as their source of income. Shaikh was born at his maternal grandfather's house in Nani Naroli on the night of Monday, November 26, 1946.
In 1953, Shaikh's maternal aunt died in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
during childbirth. For this reason, Shaikh's grandfather sent Hadhrat's mother to South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
to marry her brother-in-law and raise his children. Though she did not wish to abandon her sons, she agreed and reluctantly departed for South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. From then on, seven-year-old Hadhrat and his nine-year-old brother were raised by their grandparents. However, within a few years, they died. Thus, Shaikh and his brother were raised by their maternal aunt.
Education
Shaikh completed the recitation and memorization of the Qur'anQur'an
The Quran , also transliterated Qur'an, Koran, Alcoran, Qur’ān, Coran, Kuran, and al-Qur’ān, is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God . It is regarded widely as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic language...
and studied Urdu
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
at Madrasa Targhib al-Qur'an. In 1961, Shaikh enrolled at Jaamia Husainiyya, where he completed the first five years of the Alimiyya course. Thereafter, in 1966, Shaikh enrolled at Madhaahir al-Uloom. His classes commenced on February 23, 1966. He studied Mishkat al-Masaabih under Shaikh al-Hadith Yunus Jaunpuri, Tafsir al-Jalaalayn under Shaikh Muhammad Aqil, the third volume of Hidaaya under Mufti Yahya, and Mishkatul Masaabih for a second time under Shaikh al-Hadith Muhammad Zakariyya al-Kandhalwi.
In the following year, Shaikh studied Sahih al-Bukhari
Sahih al-Bukhari
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī , as it is commonly referred to, is one of the six canonical hadith collections of Islam. These prophetic traditions, or hadith, were collected by the Persian Muslim scholar Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari, after being transmitted orally for generations. Muslims view this as one of...
under Shaikh al-Hadith Muhammad Zakariyya al-Kandhalwi, Sunan Abu Da'ud
Sunan Abu Da'ud
Sunan Abi Daawud is one of the Sunni Six Major Hadith collections, collected by Abu Dawood.-Description:Abu Dawood collected 500,000 hadith, but included only 4,800 in this collection. Sunnis regard this collection as fourth in strength of their Six major Hadith collections.-External...
, Sunan al-Nasa'i, and Mu'atta Imam Malik under Shaikh Yunus Jaunpuri, Sahih Muslim
Sahih Muslim
Sahih Muslim is one of the Six major collections of the hadith in Sunni Islam, oral traditions relating to the words and deeds of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad. It is the second most authentic hadith collection after Sahih Al-Bukhari, and is highly acclaimed by Sunni Muslims...
and Sunan al-Tirmidhi
Sunan al-Tirmidhi
Jāmi` al-Tirmidhi , popularly and mistakenly Sunan al-Tirmidhi , is one of the Sunni Six major Hadith collections. It was collected by Abu 'Eesa Muhammad ibn 'Eesa al-Tirmidhi.-Title:...
under Shaikh Mudhaffar Husain, and Sharh Ma'aani al-Athar under Shaikh Asadullah. At around this time, Shaikh wrote a letter to Shaikh al-Hadith Muhammad Zakariyya al-Kandhalwi requesting his acceptance of Shaikh's bay'ah. He replied, accepted Shaikh's bay'ah, and entered Shaikh into his silsila
Silsila
Silsila is a 1981 Bollywood film directed by Yash Chopra. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bhaduri, Sanjeev Kumar and Rekha, with Shashi Kapoor in a special appearance.-Plot:...
.
Marriage, Khilaafah, and the Birth of His First Child
In 1968, Shaikh's relatives arranged his marriage in EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Approximately four months later, in early June, Shaikh travelled to England. His marriage was conducted within five or six weeks. Shaikh passed the Ramadhaan of 1969 with his Shaikh in Makkah and Medina
Medina
Medina , or ; also transliterated as Madinah, or madinat al-nabi "the city of the prophet") is a city in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia, and serves as the capital of the Al Madinah Province. It is the second holiest city in Islam, and the burial place of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, and...
. One night, whilst in I'tikaf, after the performance of Salaah al-Taraawih, Shaikh's Shaikh sent for him and Shaikh Ismail Badat and bestowed khilaafah upon them, wrapping turbans on their heads.
His Work
Upon the instruction of his Shaikh, Shaikh established Darul Uloom Al-Arabiya Al-Islamiya in Holcombe, BuryBury
Bury is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on the River Irwell, east of Bolton, west-southwest of Rochdale, and north-northwest of the city of Manchester...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, in 1973. At present, he is the founder and patron of numerous Islamic institutes throughout the world and spiritual guide to thousands of Muslims all over the world. His students, who number thousands, are scattered across the world, occupied in the service of din in varying capacities. More than 75% of English-speaking Ulama
Ulama
-In Islam:* Ulema, also transliterated "ulama", a community of legal scholars of Islam and its laws . See:**Nahdlatul Ulama **Darul-uloom Nadwatul Ulama **Jamiatul Ulama Transvaal**Jamiat ul-Ulama -Other:...
in the UK are graduates of institutes founded by Shaikh, a number of whom are engaged in the reinforcement of community relations. Shaikh is a dedicated educationist and has devoted much of his life to establishing schools and colleges for the betterment of the Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
community. His work has been praised by both the community as well as OFSTED
Ofsted
The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills is the non-ministerial government department of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools In England ....
.
His Institutions in the UK
- Darul Uloom Al-Arabiya Al-Islamiya, BuryBuryBury is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on the River Irwell, east of Bolton, west-southwest of Rochdale, and north-northwest of the city of Manchester...
(Boys) - Madinatul Uloom Al Islamiya, KidderminsterKidderminsterKidderminster is a town, in the Wyre Forest district of Worcestershire, England. It is located approximately seventeen miles south-west of Birmingham city centre and approximately fifteen miles north of Worcester city centre. The 2001 census recorded a population of 55,182 in the town...
(Boys) - Jami'atul Imam Muhammad Zakariyya, BradfordBradfordBradford lies at the heart of the City of Bradford, a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, in Northern England. It is situated in the foothills of the Pennines, west of Leeds, and northwest of Wakefield. Bradford became a municipal borough in 1847, and received its charter as a city in 1897...
(Girls) - Madrassah Misbahul Uloom, BradfordBradfordBradford lies at the heart of the City of Bradford, a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, in Northern England. It is situated in the foothills of the Pennines, west of Leeds, and northwest of Wakefield. Bradford became a municipal borough in 1847, and received its charter as a city in 1897...
- Markazul Uloom, Blackburn (Girls)
- Madrasatul Imam Muhammad Zakariyya, BoltonBoltonBolton is a town in Greater Manchester, in the North West of England. Close to the West Pennine Moors, it is north west of the city of Manchester. Bolton is surrounded by several smaller towns and villages which together form the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, of which Bolton is the...
- Madrasatul Imam Muhammad Zakariyya, Preston