Biography: Shaikhul Hadeeth Hadhrat Moulana Yusuf Motala saheb daamat barakaatuhum

26 May 2009 205 views No Comment

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Shaikhul ‘Hadeeth Hadhrat Moulana Yusuf bin Suleman bin Cassim Motala daamat barakaatuhum (b. November 26, 1946) is an Indian Muslim scholar of Islam and one of the disciples of the late Hazrat Shaikhul Hadis Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhalwi (RA).

Ancestry & Early Life

Hazrat’s father’s family hailed from Varethi, a village in the district of Surat. Though their source of income was farming, his paternal grandfather relinquished his land on a contract and adopted business as his source of income. Due to his premature death, Hazrat’s father was raised in his mother’s care. After reaching puberty, he started a business. His first marriage was into an honoured 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 Amina bint Mohamed bin Ismail Desai, Hazrat’s mother. Hazrat’s mother’s family hailed from Kholwad, a village on the shores of the Tapisti River in the district of Surat. The clan moved to Nani Naroli. There, they adopted farming as their source of income.

Hazrat’s mother did not bear any children for five to six years after marriage. Then, a pious man arrived in Nani Naroli, whom Hazrat’s father requested to supplicate for children. The pious man presented Hazrat’s mother with a ring and informed her that she would bear a baby boy. He wished well for the child to be characterized with qualities of knowledge and piety. After a year, the pious man returned to Nani Naroli. Shortly prior to his arrival, Hazrat’s elder brother, Hazrat Shaikhul ‘Hadis Moulana Abdur Rahim bin Suleman bin Cassim Motala, had been born. For a second time, the pious man presented Hazrat’s mother with a ring and informed her that she would bear another child.

Education

Hazrat completed the recitation and memorization of the Qur’an and studied Urdu at Madrasa-e-Targibul Qur’an. In 1961, Hazrat enrolled at Jami’a Husainiyya, where he completed the ‘Alim course until the first year of Hidaayah. Thereafter, in 1966, Hazrat enrolled at Madhahirul ‘Ulum. His classes commenced on February 23, 1966. He studied Mishkatul Masabih under Shaikhul Hadis Moulana Yunus, Tafsir ul Jalalayn under Moulana Muhammad Aqil, the third volume of Hidaayah under Mufti Yahya, and Mishkatul Masabih for a second time under Hazrat Shaikh Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhalwi (RA).

In the following year, Hazrat studied Sahihul Bukhari under Hazrat Shaikh Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhalwi (RA), Sunan Abu Da’ud, Sunan un Nasa’i, Mu’atta Imam Malik, and Mu’atta Imam Muhammad under Moulana Yunus Jaunpuri, Sahih Muslim and Sunan ut Tirmidhi under Moulana Muzaffar Husain, and Sharh Ma’aniul Athar under Hazrat Moulana Asadullah. At around this time, Hazrat wrote a letter to Hazrat Shaikh Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhalwi (RA) requesting his acceptance of Hazrat bait. He replied, accepted Hazrat’s bait, and entered Hazrat into his silsila. After this, Hazrat developed a consistent routine of recitation of the Qur’an and performance of Tahajjud, Ishraq, Chasht, and Awwabin Salaah.

Marriage, Khilafah, and the Birth of His First Child

In 1968, after his graduation, Hazrat’s relatives arranged his marriage to a close friend of the family in England. His trip to England was booked for after Ramadan. Approximately four months later, in early June, Hazrat travelled to England. His marriage was conducted within five or six weeks. On April 23, 1969, Hazrat departed from England with four friends to perform Umrah. There, he had the opportunity to pass six to seven months with his Shaikh. Hazrat passed the Ramadan of 1969 with his Shaikh in Makkah and Madina. One night, whilst in I’tikaaf, after the performance of Tarawih Salaah, Hazrat’s Shaikh sent for him and Moulana Ismail Badat and bestowed khilafah upon them, wrapping turbans on their heads. After Ramadan, Hazrat returned to England. However, Hazrat had the opportunity to pass the Ramadan of 1970 in Saharanpur. On November 29, through a telegram, Hazrat received the news of the birth of his first child, a girl. Hazrat’s Shaikh immediately sent a telegram: “May the name ‘Khadijah’ be blessed. The birth of a daughter is an indication of resemblance to the exalted Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu ‘alaihi wa sallam)”.

His Work

Upon the instructions of his Shaikh, Hazrat established Darul Uloom Al ‘Arabiyya Al Islamiyya in Holcombe, Bury, 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 with the service of din in varying capacities. More than 75% of English-speaking ‘Ulama in the UK are graduates of institutes founded by Hazrat, a number of whom are engaged in the reinforcement of community relations. Hazrat 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.