Biographies - Hadhrat Shaikhul Hadith Maulana Yusuf Motala

Hadhrat Shaikhul Hadith Maulana Yusuf bin Suleman bin Cassim Motala (da)
Lineage & Early Life
Hadhrat's father's family has resided in the village of Varethi,
within the Surat district, for centuries. Though their occupation was
farming, his paternal grandfather relinquished his land on a contract
and adopted business as his source of income. Due to Hadhrat's
grandfather's premature death, Hadhrat's father was raised in his
mother's care. After reaching puberty, he started a business. His
first marriage was into an honoured family from Hathuan. From that
marriage, he had a son named Mohamed Ali. Thiswife passed away within
a few years, after which he married Hadhrat's mother, Amina bint
Mohamed bin Ismail Desai. Hadhrat's maternalfamily lived in a village
called Kholwad on the shores of the Tapisti River. For unknown
reasons, this clan moved to Nani Naroli. There, they adopted farming
as their profession and source of income.
Hadhrat's mother did not bear any children for a period of five to six
yearsafter marriage. Then, a pious man arrived in Nani Naroli, whom
Hadhrat's father requested to supplicate for children. The pious man
presented Hadhrat's mother with a ring and imparted the glad tidingsof
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, Hadhrat's brother,
Hadhrat Shaikhul Hadith Maulana Abdur Rahim binSuleman bin Cassim
Motala, had been born. For a second time, the pious man presented
Hadhrat's mother with a ring and imparted the glad tidings of another
child.
After having married Hadhrat's mother, the effect of her religiousness
started to overcome Hadhrat's father. Eventually, his oath of
allegiance (bay'at) was accepted at the hands of Maulana Abdul Gafoor
Bangali, as a result of which he commenced dhikr. As soon as Hadhrat's
father commenced dhikr, the effects of it steadily began to influence
his health to such an extent that it started to have a reclusive
effect on his state of affairs. In this condition, he said to
Hadhrat's mother, "I intend to forsake the world. You must return
toyour house". The elders and influential men of Hadhrat's family
attempted to dissuade him in every possible manner, but to no avail.
Eventually, he was forcedto sign divorce papers in case his condition
reached insanity. The iddah was until the day Hadhrat was born.
Hadhrat was born at his maternal grandfather's house in Nani Naroli on
the night of Monday, November 26, 1946.
In 1953, Hadhrat's maternal aunt passed away in South Africa during
the childbirth of ason, Shabir. Her husband was left a widower with
eleven children. So, Hadhrat'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 passed away. Thus,
Hadhrat and his brother were raised by their maternal aunt,
affectionately called Chotikala.
Education
Hadhrat's primary Islamiceducation of Qur'an Sharif and Urdu was
completed at Madressa-e-Targib in Nani Naroli. In 1961, Hadhrat
enrolledat Jamea Hussainia a well-known madrasa in Rander. There, he
studiedfrom the first year of Persian until the first year of Hidaaya.
Thereafter, in 966, Hadhrat enrolled at Mazahirul Ulum in Saharanpur.
His classes commenced on February 23, 1966. He studied Mishkaat ul
Masabeeh under Shaikhul Hadith Maulana Yunus, Tafsir ul Jalalayn under
Maulana Muhammad Aqil, Volume 3 of Hidaaya under Mufti Yahya, and
Mishkaat ul Masabeeh for a second time under Hadhrat Shaikh Maulana
Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlawi (RA).
In the following year, Hadhrat studied Sahih ul Bukhari under Hadhrat
Shaikh Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlawi (RA), Sunan Abu Dawud,
Sunan An Nasa'i, Mu'atta Imam Malik and Mu'atta Imam Muhammad under
Maulana Yunus Jaunpuri, Sahih Muslimand Sunan At Timrmidhi under
Maulana Muzaffar Hussain, and Surah Maiani Al Athar under Hadhrat
Maulana Asadullah. At around this time, Hadhrat wrote a letter to
Hadhrat Shaikh Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlawi (RA)requesting the
acceptance of bay'at. He replied, accepted Hadhrat's bay'at, and
entered Hadhrat into his silsilah. After this, along with his studies,
Hadhrat commenced a consistent routine of the recitation of Qur'aan
Sharif and performance of Tahajjud,Ishraaq, Chaasht and Awwaabeen
Salaah.
Marriage, Khilafat, and the Birth of His First Child
In 1968, after completing his final year, Hadhrat's relatives engaged
him to a close friend of the family in England. His tripto England was
booked for after Ramadan. In Ramadan of 1968, Hadhrat was appointed to
lead the five daily salaahs and Taraweh Salaah. Two paras were to be
recited in each Taraweeh Salaah. However, after three or four days,
Hadhrat became ill and was sent home to Surat. Approximately four
months later, in early June, Hadhrat travelled toEngland. His marriage
was conducted within five or six weeks.
On April 23 1969, along with four friends, Hadhrat departed from
England to performUmra.There, he had the opportunity to spend six to
seven months in the company of his Shaikh. Hadhrat passed the Ramadan
of 1969 with his Shaikh in Makkahand Madina. One night, whilstin
I'tikaaf, after the performance of Taraweeh Salaah, Hadhrat's Shaikh
called Hadhrat and Maulana Ismail Badat into his tent and granted them
permission to accept Khilafat, wrapping turbans on their heads with
his own hands. At the end of the month of Ramadan, Hadhrat was sent
back to England.
However, Hadhrat had the opportunity to spend Ramadan of 1970 in
Saharanpur. On the 30th of Ramadan, by means of a telegram, Hadhrat
received glad tidings of the birth of his first child,a girl.
Hadhrat's Shaikh immediately sent a telegram: "May the name 'Khadija'
be blessed. The birth of a daughter is an indication of resemblance to
the exalted Prophet Muhammad (SAWS)."
His WorkUpon the instructions of his Shaikh,Hadhrat established Dar ul
Ulum Al Arabia Al Ilamia in Holcombe, Bury,Lancashire, in 1973. At
present, he is the founder and patron of numerous Islamic institutes
throughout theworld and spiritual guideto thousands of Muslims all
over the world.
His students, who number thousands, are spread across the globe,
occupied in the service ofdeen in varying capacities. More than 75% of
English-speaking Ulama in the UK are graduates of institutes founded
by Hadhrat, many of whom are actively engaged in reinforcing community
relation.
Hadhrat is a dedicated educationist and has devoted much of his life
to establishing schools and colleges for the betterment of the
Muslimcommunity. His work has been praised by both the community as a
whole as well as OFSTED.
His Institutions in the UK
• Dar ul Ulum Al Arabia Al Islamia, Bury
• Madinatul Ulum Al Islamia, Kidderminster
• Jamiatual Imam Muhammad Zakariya, Bradford
• Markazul Ulum, Blackbun
• Madrasatul Imam Muhamma Zakariya, Bolton
• Madrasatul Imam Muhamma Zakariya, Preston