Maulana Muhammad Yusuf Islahi: A Life of Scholarship and Service

Maulana Muhammad Yusuf Islahi was born in 1932 in the village of Formulli, Attock District, on the Pothohar Plateau in present-day Pakistan. This region has been home to some of the subcontinent’s most influential Muslim thinkers, and young Yusuf grew up in an environment where scholarship and faith were deeply cherished. His father, Shaikh-ul-Hadees Maulana Abdul Qadim Khan, was a respected scholar who recognized early on his son’s potential for learning.

Belonging to a family committed to the service of Islam, Yusuf Islahi grew up with a strong sense of duty and a passion for knowledge. His later family ties also connected him to prominent intellectuals, including Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, the renowned Muslim American scholar and former president of ISNA.

Yusuf Islahi’s early education began in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, where he completed his primary schooling. From the very beginning, his studies were rooted in the Qur’an. He memorized the sacred text and studied tajwīd, perfecting its recitation.

To pursue higher Islamic learning, his father sent him first to Mazahir ul-Uloom, Saharanpur, a leading seminary, and later to Madrasat al-Islah, Sarai Mir, in Azamgarh. It was at Madrasat al-Islah that he came under the direct mentorship of Maulana Amin Ahsan Islahi, one of the leading Qur’anic scholars of the time. These four years under Amin Ahsan Islahi profoundly shaped his intellectual outlook, instilling in him a balance between traditional learning and reasoned interpretation.

He graduated with a Sanad Fazilat (Certificate of Graduation) with distinction, a testament to his scholarly rigor and intellectual brilliance.

In 1953, Yusuf Islahi joined the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, dedicating himself to the movement’s vision of social reform and revival of Islamic values. Over the years, he became a member of the Jamaat’s consultative council (shura) and worked on educational, organizational, and welfare initiatives.

His work was not confined to India. As the chief patron of “Why Islam,” a project of the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), he played a vital role in strengthening Islamic outreach efforts in the United States. Through his students, who had migrated to different parts of the world, his teachings spread to communities far beyond South Asia.

Maulana Yusuf Islahi’s scholarship was vast yet accessible. His two most celebrated books are:

Asan Fiqh (Easy Jurisprudence): A practical guide simplifying complex Islamic rulings for everyday use.

Adab-e-Zindagi (Etiquettes of Life): A book on character, manners, and spiritual refinement that became a staple in Muslim households.

Beyond these, he wrote and edited numerous works and periodicals. He was the editor of Zikra, an Urdu religious magazine, and left behind a publication house devoted to Islamic literature. His writings reflected not only his knowledge but also his ability to address the everyday struggles of ordinary Muslims, making Islamic teachings accessible, relevant, and inspiring.

Maulana Islahi was particularly passionate about women’s education. He became the Rector of Jamiat us-Salehat in Rampur, an institution founded by Maulana Abdul Hayy for women’s higher education in Arabic and Islamic studies.

Under his guidance, Jamiat us-Salehat expanded significantly. Its sprawling campus housed more than a thousand residents, while several thousand more attended from surrounding areas. The institution became a pioneer in providing advanced Islamic education to women in India and beyond.

He also supervised the Markazi Darsgah-e-Islami in Rampur and served as a mentor to many other schools and welfare organizations. A balance of vision, humility, and practical wisdom marked his leadership.

Maulana Yusuf Islahi married into one of India’s most distinguished scholarly families. His wife, the eldest sister of Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, passed away a few years before him. Together, they raised eight children, nurturing in them the same values of service and scholarship. His youngest daughter now lives on the East Coast of the United States, continuing the family’s legacy abroad.

Those who knew him personally often described him as a man of humor, warmth, and humility, who carried his immense knowledge lightly. Despite his status, he led a simple life, dedicating himself entirely to service.

When Maulana Yusuf Islahi passed away on December 21, 2021, tributes poured in from across the world. Students, colleagues, and admirers remembered him not only for his intellectual contributions but also for his kindness, his ability to explain complex ideas simply, and his commitment to the betterment of society.

 are for humanity. May Allah elevate his status in the life hereafter.