🕌 Early Life & Family Roots
Born: 25 November 1946 (1 Muḥarram 1366 AH) at his maternal grandfather’s house in Nani Naroli, Gujarat, India .
Lineage: Son of Sulayman Motala (descended from the farming community of Varethi, Surat district) and Aminah bint Muḥammad ibn Ismā‘īl Desai, known for her piety .
Qur’ān memorisation: Completed his hifz at Madrasah Ta‘līm al‑Qur’ān in his hometown under the care of his maternal grandparents and aunt .
📚 Formal Islamic Education
Jamia Husayniyya, Rander (1961–1966): Studied the Alimiyya curriculum for five years, where he first glimpsed his future teacher, Shaykh Zakariyyā Kandhlawī .
Mazāhir al‑Ulūm, Saharanpur (1966–1968): Completed the final years of the ‘Ālimiyya course under Shaykh Zakariyyā and other luminaries. Despite his young age, he earned special favour with Sheikh Zakariyyā, who delayed retirement to personally teach him Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī, and bestowed upon him ijāzah in tasawwuf. He was affectionately known there as “Qārī Yusuf” .
🌍 Move to the UK & Founding of Darul Uloom
Relocation: In 1968, on the instruction of Shaykh Zakariyyā, he accepted an imamate in Bolton, UK, to serve the British Muslim community .
Establishment of Darul Uloom Bury (1973): With perseverance, he transformed a derelict sanatorium in Holcombe, Lancashire, into Darul Uloom al‑Arabiyyah al‑Islamiyyah—the UK’s first full‑spectrum Dars‑i‑Nizāmi seminary outside the Indian subcontinent .
🎓 Legacy & Influence
Educational impact: Over the decades, thousands graduated from Darul Uloom Bury and its sister institutions (including Bradford for women). Graduates have spread across the UK, Europe, North America, the Middle East, and beyond, many establishing new seminaries .
Balanced approach: He encouraged students to pursue both traditional Islamic sciences and Western academia, reflecting deep insight into Western society’s needs .
Spiritual character: Known for his humility, gentle demeanour, and deep compassion, he taught with a measured voice and unwavering presence, even through health struggles .
✍️ Writings & Scholarly Contributions
Authored numerous works in Urdu, Arabic, and English, including:
Adwā’ul‑Bayān fī Tarjamat‑ul‑Qur’ān (Urdu translation of the Qur’ān)
Juz’ Amir Tafsīr, Urdū commentary on the Four Imams and pious saints, Jamāl‑e‑Muhammadi, Ināyat Nāmeh, Itā‘at‑e‑Rasūl, and many others .
🕊️ Passing & Posthumous Recognition
Demise: He suffered a heart attack on 25 August 2019, passed away on 8 September 2019 (1441 AH) in Mississauga (Toronto region), Canada—and was buried in Woodbridge, Canada. His death was widely mourned; thousands attended his funeral .
Honours: Named among “The 500 Most Influential Muslims” in 2011 and honored posthumously in subsequent editions .
🌟 Final Reflections
Shaykh Yusuf Motala’s life is a testament to the prophetic legacy: deep bond with scholars of old, rigorous pursuit of knowledge, steadfast service to the Ummah, and spiritual refinement. He bridged continents, tradition and modern realities, building institutions that continue to flourish. May Allah reward him immensely and grant him lofty ranks in Jannat‑ul‑Firdaws, alongside the Prophets and the righteous. Āmīn.
