Yusuf Motala

Shaikhul Hadith Hadhrat Maulana Yusuf ibn Suleman ibn Cassim Motala "damat barakaatuhum" (b. November 26, 1946) is an Indian Muslim scholar of Islam and one of the disciples of the late Shaikhul Hadith Hadhrat Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlawi (RA) [ [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article2419512.ece] , Andrew Norfolk, Times Online, 10th September, 2007.] .

Life

Lineage & Early Life

Hadhrat's father's family has resided in 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. Later, his grandfather travelled to South Africa, where he lived for a number of years. After a long period, he returned to the village. A few days after returning to Varethi, he passed away. Hadhrat's father was then raised in his mother's care. After reaching puberty, he started a business. His first marriage was into an honoured family from Hathuran. From that marriage, he had a son named Mohamed Ali. This wife passed away within a few years, after which he married Hadhrat's mother, Amina bint Mohamed ibn Ismail Desai. Hadhrat's maternal grandfather and forefathers 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 years after marriage. Then, a "buzroog" came to Nani Naroli, whom Hadhrat's father requested to supplicate for children. The "buzroog" presented Hadhrat's mother with a ring and gave her the glad tidings of a baby boy. He wished well for the child to be characterized with qualities of knowledge and piety. After a whole year, the "buzroog" visited the village for a second time. Shortly before his arrival, Hadhrat's brother, Shaikhul Hadith Hadhrat Maulana Abdur Rahim ibn Suleman ibn Cassim Motala, had been born. For a second time, the "buzroog" gave Hadhrat's mother a ring and gave her the glad tidings of another child.

After having married Hadhrat's mother, the effect of her religiousness started to overcome Hadhrat's father. Eventually, he accepted the oath of allegiance ("bay'at") at the hands of Maulana Abdul Gafoor Bangali, as a result of which he commenced dhikr. As soon as Hadhrat's father had 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 to your 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 forced to sign the 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, Hawa bint Mohamed ibn Ismail Desai, passed away in South Africa during childbirth of a son, Shabir. Her husband, Cassim Hassan Bhorat, 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 want to abandon her sons, she agreed and reluctantly departed for South Africa. From then on, nine-year-old Abdur Rahim and seven-year-old Hadhrat were raised by their grandparents. However, within a few years, they passed away. Thus, Abdur Rahim and Hadhrat were raised by their maternal aunt, Hafez "Chotikala" Desai.

Education

Hadhrat's preliminary education of Qur'an and Urdu was completed at a madrasa called Targib ul Qur'an in Nani Naroli. In 1961, Hadhrat enrolled at Jamea Hussainia, a well-known madrasa in Rander. There, he studied from the first year of Persian until the first year of "Hidaaya".

During the year of 1384 AH, Hadhrat's brother, Abdur Rahim, after completing his studies, firmly intended to remain in the service of Hadhrat Shaykh Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlawi (RA) in Saharanpur. He insisted that Hadhrat spend Sha'ban and Ramadan in the service of Hadhrat Shaykh Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlawi (RA) as well. Hadhrat reluctantly agreed and departed for Saharanpur accompanied by Maulana Abdur Rahim, Maulana Ismail Badat, and Maulana Gulam Mohamed Desai. They departed aboard the Dehradun Express and arrived in Saharanpur at Dhuhr time. In Saharanpur, they adopted Hadhrat's 24-hour routine and remained with Hadhrat for the whole of Sha'ban and Ramadan. After Eid ul-Fitr, Hadhrat returned to Surat. However, Hadhrat returned to Saharanpur for Sha'ban and Ramadan in 1385 AH.

Thereafter, in 1966, Hadhrat enrolled at Mazahirul Uloom in Saharanpur. On February 21, 1966, Hadhrat received permission to sleep in the Old Madrasa of Mazahirul Uloom and use a locker for his belongings. His classes commenced on February 23, 1966. There, 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 Shaykh Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlawi (RA).

In the following year, he studied Sunan Abu Da'ud, Sunan An-Nasa'i, Mu'atta Imam Malik, and Mu'atta Imam Muhammad under Maulana Yunus Jaunpuri, Sahih Muslim and Sunan at-Tirmidhi under Maulana Muzaffar Hussain, and Sharh Ma'ani al-Athar under Hadhrat Maulana Asadullah. At around this time, Hadhrat wrote to Hadhrat Shaykh Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlawi (RA) requesting the acceptance of "bay'at". He replied, accepted Hadhrat's "bay'at", and entered Hadhrat into his circle ("silsilah"). After this, together with his studies, Hadhrat commenced recitation of the Qur'an and performance of Tahajjud, Ishraq, Chaasht, and Awwabeen salaah with consistency. Under Hadhrat Shaykh Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlawi (RA)'s guidance and shadow, Hadhrat pursued the six "kitabs" of hadith for a second time.

Marriage

In 1968, after completing his final year, Hadhrat's relatives engaged him to a close friend of the family in England. Hadhrat's trip to England was fixed for after Ramadan. In Ramadan of 1968, Hadhrat was appointed to lead the five daily salaahs and taraweeh salaah. Two "paras" were to be read in each taraweeh. However, after three or four days, Hadhrat fell ill and was sent home to Surat. Approximately four months later, in early June, Hadhrat travelled to England. The marriage was conducted within five or six weeks.

In the Company of His Shaikh

On April 23, 1969, with four of his friends, Hadhrat departed from England to perform Umrah. There, he had the opportunity to spend six to seven months in the company of his Shaykh. Hadhrat spent the Ramadan of 1969 with Hadhrat in Makkah and Madina. Whilst in I'tikaaf, one night after having read taraweeh and other salaahs, Hadhrat's Shaykh, Hadhrat Shaykh Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlawi (RA) called Hadhrat and Maulana Ismail Badat into his tent and granted them permission to accept "khilafat". He also wrapped a turban 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 baby girl. Hadhrat's Shaykh 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 (SAW)."

His Work

Upon the instructions of his Shaikh, Hadhrat established Darul Uloom Al-Arabiyyah Al-Islamiyyah in Holcombe, Bury, Lancashire, in 1973 [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3355803.stm Inside Britain's Islamic Colleges] , Dominic Casciani, BBC News Online, January 15, 2004.] . 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 spread across the globe occupied in the service of "deen" 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 relations [ [http://www.muslimnews.co.uk/paper/index.php?article=1359 Muslim Leader's Detention Condemned] , Ahmed J Versi, The Muslim News, 28th November, 2003.] .

Hadhrat 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 a whole as well as OFSTED [ [http://www.mcb.org.uk/media/presstext.php?ann_id=53 Police Harassment of Leading British Muslim Scholar] , Iqbal Sacranie, MCB Press Release, 15th November, 2003.] .

His Institutions

*Darul Uloom Al-Arabiyyah Al-Islamiyyah, Bury, UK
*Madinatul Uloom Al Islamiya, Kidderminster, UK
*Jamiatul Imam Muhammad Zakariyya, Bradford, UK
*Markazul Uloom, Blackburn, UK
*Madrasatul Imam Muhammad Zakariyya, Bolton, UK
*Madrasatul Imam Muhammad Zakariyya, Preston, UKand others throughout the world.

References