Tributes have been paid to Shaykh Yusuf Motala who passed away yesterday evening in Toronto, Canada following a heart attack. 

Shaykh Yusuf Motala was among the UK’s leading scholars. He migrated from India to the UK in 1968 and established the first Islamic seminary here in 1973. 

The Darul Uloom in Bury has produced thousands of scholars over the past four decades who are serving their communities in the UK and beyond. Students from as far as Panama, India and New Zealand have graduated from this seminary.  

A few weeks ago, Shaykh Yusuf Motala travelled to Canada to deliver some lectures. He suffered a heart attack on Sunday 24 August. He was hospitalised and passed away yesterday evening 8.20pm local time.   

Reflecting on the Shaykh’s demise, Moulana Yusuf Shabbir, a Blackburn based graduate of Darul Uloom Bury said, “This is a great loss for the Ummah. We are all indebted to our respected teacher Shaykh Yusuf Motala for his lifelong efforts and sacrifices.

"His legacy includes the establishment of the first Muslim seminary in the Western World which has produced well over a thousand graduates. 

Asian Image:

The Darul Uloom in Bury

A significant number of British Muslim scholars who are active across a range of disciplines and contributing to civic society are his students directly or indirectly. Many of his students have established seminaries, schools, charities and other institutions.” 

Moulana Yusuf added, “He was among the leading scholars of the UK whose contribution and efforts have had a profound impact on communities not just in the UK, but in many countries across the world. We pray to Allah Almighty to grant him an abode in the gardens of Paradise and grant patience to all family members and associates.”   

The Ramadhan Foundation Chairman Shaykh Muhammad Umar and CEO Mohammed Shafiq said, “It’s with great sadness that Shaykh ul Hadith Maulana Yusuf Mutala has passed away. When the history of the British Muslim community is written he will be at the heart of that story. 

"He was one of the first to establish educational institutes in the UK where to date thousands have graduated into Muslim scholars who serve humanity around the world. 

"His humbleness, compassion and love was self evident to all and his death will he mourned by many around the world. 

"We have both had the honour of meeting him a few times over the past twenty years and were truly moved by his character and dignity."

We want to offer our personal condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and students, a huge loss to bear. 

"May Allah elevate his rank in Jannah."

The funeral is scheduled to take place this afternoon in Toronto, Canada.