Obituary: Mufti Yusuf Mayat (1412/1992 – 1447/2025)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Beneficent
Last week, we were all very saddened to receive the news of the demise of our very dear friend, Mufti Yūsuf Māyat, the son of Mawlānā ʿAlī Māyat (d. 1444/2022), who passed away in a tragic water incident in Mozambique. Mufti Yūsuf was a very learned scholar who was very fond of books. Whenever I would meet him, he would always enquire about books. He would also message me regularly regarding books. He would visit my respected father’s residence and sometimes borrow books. He was passionate about helping others and possessed exemplary character. His smile was priceless as was his jovial nature. As family friends, we knew him since he was a child, and recall his poem about his father, “Mawlānā ʿAlī climbed the tree, at half past three …”. Since his sudden demise, tributes have been flowing in from his seniors, contemporaries and juniors. Everybody has something positive to say about him. He was loved by everyone, just as he loved everyone around him. It is a great honour for us to publish his obituary penned by his learned nephew Mawlānā Muḥammad Māyat and other family members. We pray to Allah Almighty to forgive his shortcomings, grant him an abode in Jannat al-Firdaws and enable us to adopt his good qualities. Āmīn. Our readers are also requested to partake in the Ṣadaqah Jāriyah project outlined at the end.
Yusuf Shabbir
24 Rabīʿ al-Thānī 1447 / 17 October 2025
The Demise of Mufti Yusuf ibn Mawlānā Ali Mayat
By Mawlānā Muhammad Mayat and family
One week ago, on Friday 10th October 2025, under the sweltering skies of Mozambique, we witnessed the sudden departure of Mufti Yusuf Mayat ibn Mawlānā Ali Mayat Raḥimahullāh from this temporary world, in the most enviable and admirable fashion. As the sad news began to spread like wildfire across the world, messages of condolences and tributes began to pour in from around the globe. Due to this, we decided to put together a few words pertaining his life journey, and his qualities. We pray that this article will be accepted in the court of Allah, becomes a means of reward for Mufti Yusuf, and a means of benefit for the entire ummah. Āmīn.
Mufti Yusuf ibn Mawlānā Ali Mayat was born on 28th June 1992, corresponding to 27 Dhū al-Ḥijjah 1412, in the town of Blackburn, England. He grew up in the Audley area of Blackburn. In his early years, he attended the local primary school and Madrasah Noorul Islam. It was here that he received his early Madrasah education under the guidance of esteemed scholars. From a young age, he showed a deep love for knowledge. It was approximately during the year 2000, that he began his journey of memorising the Quran.
The tarbiyah (upbringing) in the family home was underpinned by the strong values embedded by his beloved mother and late father. They would encourage them from a young age to perform Ṣalāh and engage in Islamic activities. The home was always illuminated by daily taʿlīm which would take place before the children left for school. His father, Mawlānā Ali Ṣāḥib would take Mufti Yusuf and his siblings to local recreational grounds on the weekends where they would play football and engage in other activities. This balance from childhood is reflected in Mufti Yusuf’s own life where he was always in the pursuit of knowledge but ensuring that he engaged in other activities alongside this.
Later in August 2003, at the tender age of 11, Mufti Yusuf enrolled at the world-renowned Darul Uloom Al Arabiyya Al Islamiyya (Darul Uloom Bury). In 2007, he completed his Ḥifẓ of the Quran under Mawlānā Noorul Haq ibn Ḥaḍrat Mawlānā Islamul Haq Ṣāḥib. Mufti Ṣāḥib then continued studying at Darul Uloom, completing the ʿĀlimiyyah course in 2014, and thereafter completed the iftā course in 2015. This period was only interrupted for 2 years when Mufti Ṣāḥib enrolled at Madrasah Miftahul Uloom under the supervision of Mufti Inayatullah Ṣāḥib. Here, he completed his first two years of the Dars Niẓāmī ʿĀlimiyyah course. During his post graduate year, Mufti Ṣāḥib also attended The Markfield Institute of Higher Education where he completed his Masters’ degree in Islamic Education. As a student in Darul Uloom Bury, he would regularly achieve first place in examinations and was of the brightest students.
Colleagues of Mufti Yusuf describe him as extremely intelligent, kind, beautiful and always smiling. A man who always remembered people and took their needs into consideration, reflecting the purity of his soul. He is described as a man whose smile infected all those around him with warmth, comfort and positivity whilst it was not possible to find someone who would say a bad word against him. His intelligence did not make him haughty or arrogant, rather he would use these qualities to help others.
After graduating, Mufti Yusuf dedicated his life to teaching. He taught in several institutions, including Masjid Noorul Islam, Bayt Muhammad Academy, and Al-Itqan Institute. He taught books from the Ṣiḥāḥ Sittah and advanced Fiqh books such as Hidāyah. In addition to this, he would use his time busying himself in studying and understanding advanced works of Fiqh and creed. His depth of knowledge was remarkable — he even taught difficult and complex texts such as Miḥak al-Naẓar by Imām Ghazālī, Al-Intibāhāt al-Mufīdah by Mawlānā Ashraf Ali Thānawī, and Hujjat al-Islām by Mawlānā Qasim Nanowtwi — works that few scholars today are qualified to teach with such diligence and insight. Along with this, Mufti Ṣāḥib formed relationships with scholars with the intention of securing the future and development of his own journey of knowledge. Besides his official responsibilities, Mufti Ṣāḥib would spend hours daily in informal circles of knowledge teaching and studying.
Mufti Sāhib loved to travel. He visited countries including India, Bosnia, Albania, Canada, Barbados, Uzbekistan, Japan, Turkey, Morocco, South Africa, Mozambique, and many others — always combining his travels with learning, and upholding family ties.
In March 2018, Mufti Sāhib got married, yet his pursuit of knowledge did not stop. During 2018 and 2019, he spent the summer with his wife in Turkey, studying under Shaykh Dāwūd at Maʿhad Shaykh Akbar, focusing on ʿAqīdah (creed), Manṭiq (logic) and Fiqh. He also took private lessons with some scholars from Syria and Yemen.
Gathering information about his studies was never easy, as he was a man of deep humility. He never spoke of his achievements — even his own family often did not know what books he was teaching. Such was his sincerity and ikhlāṣ.
In addition to this, Mufti Ṣāḥib never viewed himself as being above any form of servitude. For example, a family member mentioned that they personally remember Mufti Yusuf at one institute carrying wet mattresses, which had been left out and were full of dirty water, and packing them into a skip, as well as other tasks that many would be reluctant to undertake. He also mentions that he remembers seeing Mufti Yusuf coming out of a Madrasah with his eyebrows full of dust, having shovelled dust throughout the day.
Since 2020, Mufti Ṣāḥib was an active member of the Masjid Noorul Islam events team. Some of his projects were as follows:
- Sīrah classes for 1 year from winter 2021.
- 10 sessions on Fiqh of Zakat in Ramadan 2022.
- ʿAqīdah sessions for scholars from summer 2022.
- Tafsīr of the first portion of Sūrah Maryam in December 2022.
- ʿAqīdah and Tafsīr teacher for the Sanatayn programme between 2023 and 2025.
- Organised Sīrah course which is currently ongoing.
- Facilitated weekly English Tafsīr lessons from April 2024 which are currently ongoing.
- Organised a Fiqh workshop recently.
Mufti Ṣāḥib also encouraged other scholars to join these groups to help the Masjid make progress. Many of the scholars who are part of the current team are a result of his encouragement.
From September 2023, Mufti Ṣāḥib dedicated a generous amount of time to Al-Itqan institute under the supervision of Mawlānā Husayn Patel. Here, he taught elementary Arabic books, showcasing his own passion to educate the new generation of scholars. Along with this, Mufti Ṣāḥib would dedicate time in the evenings teaching ʿAqīdah and Manṭiq. He had also initiated a plan to encourage students to study by opening the Madrasah on Saturday mornings and inviting students to study.
Mufti Ṣāḥib was a teacher of exceptional calibre. His students recollect that he would enter the class with a big smile and begin lessons by asking how each student was. He would explain the lessons in a slow and calm way which made the students feel relaxed. He would go above and beyond to ensure that the students would understand the lessons, whilst instilling a passion within the students to take their education even further. This was not restricted to his students, but also to others. He encouraged his nephew, Mawlānā Muhammad Mayat who study the advanced sciences of Ḥadīth in Binoni, South Africa which he is currently doing.
Mufti Ṣāḥib loved children and would always ensure that he would stop whatever he was doing to come and meet them, pat their head and supplicate for them. He was also very fond of animals. He would fondly play with cats and had his own personal chicken coop, with chickens that had been hatched and looked after by him.
Mufti Ṣāḥib had two mobile phones. An old ‘brick’ phone which he would keep with himself, and a smartphone with WhatsApp which he would leave in the car.
Generally, Mufti Ṣāḥib was very discreet. It is only after his demise that we as a family are being informed of his unique qualities and contribution. There are many things we were unaware of.
Mufti Ṣāḥib was extremely respectful of his seniors and his seniors also had a lot of love for him. His teacher, Shaykh al-Ḥadīth Ḥaḍrat Mufti Shabbir Ṣāḥib said:
“He possessed an academic prowess, he was one of my special students. He was always smiling, and this was how our beloved Prophet ﷺ was.”
Another teacher of his, Shaykh al-Ḥadīth Mawlānā Abdur Raheem Ṣāḥib said:
“He would perform Iʿtikāf every year. He would lead Tahajjud Ṣalāh and he knew his Quran very well. He would often keep me updated with his circumstances.”
Another teacher of his, Mufti Sufi Tahir Ṣāḥib said:
“He was a lover of knowledge and studied very hard. He had a lot of respect for his teachers and he remained in contact with me after his graduation also. He would always meet me with a lot of respect. He was the son of my friend, so I was affectionate towards him like I was towards his father. Allah Almighty wanted to grant him multiple martyrdoms, so he passed away whilst on a journey which is also a form of martyrdom, and drowning is also another form, and he passed away on a Friday.”
Likewise, Shaykh Abdur Rahman Idrisi al-Yamani said:
“Mufti Yusuf was an amazing man, with good conduct and a pure heart, moulded in virtue, elegance and excellence. I neither knew of him, nor did I witness from him, except goodness, virtue and nobility. He has left a gap in the heart that will not be filled and an effect that cannot be erased.”
On the 3rd of October 2025, Mufti Ṣāḥib departed from the UK to Mozambique on a family trip to meet relatives. Mufti Ṣāḥib, although on holiday, spent his time studying books during journeys, and busying himself in academic discussions with his nephew Muhammad, whilst also fully immersing himself in the fun and joyful activities of the trip, such as horse riding and snorkelling. During the trip, Mufti Ṣāḥib also ensured that he checked in on ill relatives regularly, and ensured that all those who had served them as guests were adequately and individually thanked.
At the same time, Mufti Ṣāḥib would contribute towards the completion of a Quran Khatam daily after which Mufti Ṣāḥib would make duʿāʾ.
On the evening of his passing, Mufti Ṣāḥib and his family formed a gathering of Durūd Sharīf, and Mufti Ṣāḥib himself did the duʿāʾ of the Quran Khatam.
On the day of his passing, Mufti Ṣāḥib made breakfast for the group of fourteen people himself, and as they set out to return to the families’ residence, Mufti Ṣāḥib was reciting Surat al-Kahf. The family stopped at the Zavora beach in Inhambene, approximately 450km from Maputo. Mufti Ṣāḥib who was a strong and passionate swimmer made his final journey to the decree of Allah. Even as Mufti Ṣāḥib entered into the water for the final time, his Satr was completely covered. He departed as he lived, acting upon the Sunnah, whilst ensuring the laws of Allah were not transgressed.
It was at this point that the decree of Allah manifested itself, and no doubt Mufti Ṣāḥib would have met the angel of death with his usual smile.
Within an hour, the body was recovered al-Ḥamdulillāh, which according to locals was nothing short of a miracle. Bodies are rarely recovered from the Indian ocean. This was a blessing of the Quran Khatams and Durūd Sharīf from the previous day. Also, as this incident occurred, the group started to engage in prayers and collective duʿāʾ.
After the body was recovered in the afternoon about 2pm, we drove to Maputo, which is where our family live. The Ghusl was done at approximately 8.15pm as soon as we arrived and the Janāzah Ṣalāh was led by Mufti Ṣāḥib’s elder brother, Mawlānā Ibrahim Ṣāḥib. The recital and duʿāʾ at the grave were undertaken by Mawlānā Nazir Ṣāḥib, who studied in Binori Town, Karachi around the same time as Mufti Ṣāḥib’s father, Mawlānā Ali Ṣāḥib. He is the Imam of Masjid Taqwa and runs a few institutes in Mozambique. The grave in which he was buried is the same grave in which his paternal grandfather and grandmother were buried in, this is in Lhanguene Cemetery, Maputo, Mozambique.
There are many lessons we can take from Mufti Ṣāḥib’s life, but a few stand out:
(1) Beautiful Character (Akhlāq): Whenever you met Mufti Sāhib, you would be greeted with warmth and a genuine smile, receiving full attention — perfectly embodying the ḥadīth, “I was sent to perfect good character.” (Muwaṭṭaʾ, 1614)
(2) Mufti Ṣāḥib had time for everyone, young and old alike. Whether it was a student, a relative, or a child, Mufti Ṣāḥib made every person feel valued, respected, and loved. His humility and sincerity touched every heart he met.
(3) Even in moments of stress or difficulty, Mufti Ṣāḥib remained calm and composed, never quick to anger. His peaceful presence brought comfort to all around him.
(4) Family and Service: Mufti Sāhib was deeply devoted to maintaining family ties. Mufti Ṣāḥib made a sincere effort to visit, call, and stay connected, embodying the prophetic teaching of maintaining family bonds. Mufti Ṣāḥib also surpassed everyone in serving his parents. Mufti Ṣāḥib’s mother described him as her best friend.
A grieving relative puts together the qualities of Mufti Ṣāḥib in the following poem:
From Us, For Yusuf | مِنَّا لِيُوْسُف
By: a cousin, friend, student, colleague, and mentee
جَاءَنِيْ رَجُلٌ كَرِيْمٌ، وَكَانَ اِسْمُهُ يُوْسُفَ بْنَ عَلِي
A noble man came to me, and his name was Yusuf ibn Ali
وكَانَ يُوْسُفُ مِنْ أَحْسَنِ النَّاسِ، وكَانَ اِبْنَ اُخْتِ اُمِّيْ
And Yusuf was from the best of people, and he was my cousin
وَكَانَ يُوْسُفُ مِنْ كِبَارِ العُلَمَاءِ، لٰكِنْ كَانَ يَخْفٰى عِلْمَهُ خَلْفَ تَوَاضُعٖ
And Yusuf was from the great scholars, yet, he hid his knowledge behind humility
وَكَانَ يُوْسُفُ رَاسِخًا فِيْ العِلْمِ، فَقَرَأَ الكُتُبَ طُوْلَ حَيَاتِهِ
And Yusuf was well grounded in knowledge, and so, he studied books for the entirety of his life
وَكَانَ لِيُوْسُفَ لِسَانٌ بَلِيْغٌ وَصَوْتٌ جَمِيْلٌ، فَقَرَاَ يُوْسُفُ عَلٰى يُوْسُفَ اَلْبُخَارِيْ
And Yusuf had an eloquent tongue, and a beautiful voice, so, Yusuf recited Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī upon Yusuf [Ḥaḍrat Mawlānā Yusuf Motala]
بِدَارِ العُلُوْم بَرِيْ ‘smiley’ وَكَانَ يُوْسُفُ دَائِمَ التَّبَسُّمِ، فَلِهٰذَا سُمِّيَ
And Yusuf was always smiling, this is why he was named ‘smiley’ in Darul Uloom Bury
وَكَانَ يُوْسُفُ أَحْيٰى لَيْلَهُ، بِطَلَبِ العِلْمِ وَقِرَاءَةِ القُرْآنِ فِيْ الصَّلَاةِ
And Yusuf would stay awake at night, seeking knowledge and reciting Quran in Ṣalāh
وَكَانَ يُوْسُفُ مِنْ جَمَاعَةِ الصُّوْفِيَّةِ، فَكَانَ يُوْسُفُ ذَاكِرَ اللهِ فِيْ كُلِّ أَحْيَانِهِ
And Yusuf was from the ascetics, and so, he was ever busy in the remembrance of Allah
وَكَانَ يُوْسُفُ وَاصِلَ الرَّحِمِ، فَبَذَلَ الجُهْدَ فِيْ لِقَاءِ عَائِلَتِهِ
And Yusuf would maintain ties of kinship, and so, he would exert himself in meeting his relatives
وَكَانَ يُوْسُفُ مِنْ أجْوَدِ النَّاسِ، فَأَعْطَى النَّاسَ حَوْلَهُ كَالسَّحَابِ المُمَطِّرِ
And Yusuf was from the most generous of people, and so, he would give to those around him like a raining cloud
وَكَانَ يُوْسُفُ حَامِلًا لِصِفَاتِ النَّبِيِّ، فَمَا أَزْعَجَ النَّاسَ بِغَضَبٍ أَوْ بِصَوْتِهِ
And Yusuf had the characteristics of our Beloved Prophet ﷺ, and so, he did not trouble people with anger or his voice
وَكَانَ يُوْسُفُ سَيِّدَنَا وَخَادِمَنَا، فَمَا زَالَ مُنْشَغِلًا بِالعَوْنِ فِيْ حَيَاتِهِ
And Yusuf was our leader and helper, and so, he was constantly busy in helping people in his life
وَكَانَ يُوْسُفُ سَابِقًا فِيْ إطَاعَة وَالِدَيْهِ، فَنَالَ رِضٰى أُمِّهِ وَأَبِيْهِ شَيْخْ عَلِيْ
And Yusuf was forthcoming in the obedience of his parents, and so he attained the happiness of his mother and father Shaykh Ali
وَكَانَ يُوْسُفُ صَدِيْقًا وَخَلِيْلًا لِكُلِّنَا، فَلِذَا قُلْنَا يُوْسُفِيْ يُوْسُفِيْ
And Yusuf was a bosom friend for all of us, and so, this is why we said my Yusuf my Yusuf
وَكَانَ فِيْ وَقْتِهِ بَرَكَةٌ، فَكَانَتْ لَحْظَتُهُ كَأَلْفِ لَحْظَتِيْ
And in his time, there was blessing, so, one moment of his was a thousand moments of mine
فَجَاءَ المَلَكُ وَيُوْسُفُ مُتَبَسِّمًا، فَانْتَقَلَ مِنَّا وَصَارَ عِنْدَ اللهِ مِنَ الشُّهَدَاءِ
And then the angel [of death] came and Yusuf was smiling, and so, he left us and became by Allah from the martyrs
تَزَلْزَلَتِ الدُّنْيَا يَوْمَ الجُمُعَةِ، فَأَظْلَمَتْ دُنْيَايَ بِمَوْتِ يُوْسُفِيْ
The world shook on the day of Friday, and my world darkened with the passing of my Yusuf
فَالْعَيْنُ تَدْمَعْ وَالقَلْبُ يَحْزَنْ، وَاِنَّا لَمَحْزُوْنُوْنَ بِفِرَاقِكَ يَا يُوْسُفِيْ
The eyes cry and the heart is grieved, and we are grieved by your separation, O my Yusuf
What gives us great comfort is that Mufti Ṣāḥib attained martyrdom. As the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Five are regarded as martyrs: They are those who die because of plague, Abdominal disease, drowning or a falling building., and the martyrs in Allah’s Cause” (Bukhārī, 2829).
Another ḥadīth states:
“When a person passes away somewhere other than his birthplace, a [place] will be measured for him in Jannah [as large as the distance] from the place where he was born to the place where he passed away” (Ibn Mājah, 1614).
Likewise, another ḥadīth states:
“No Muslim dies on the day of Friday, nor the night of Friday, except that Allah protects him from the trials of the grave (Tirmidhī, 1074).
Mufti Ṣāḥib was always prepared for his demise. His will was prepared and therein is a request for all of us as follows: “If possible, a source of water in a place where is needed as Īsāle Thawāb would be much appreciated.”
Thus, as a family, we are collecting donations for this, via this link:
https://www.paypal.com/pool/9j55dLkZIC?sr=ancr
Donations can also be transferred to the following bank account details:
Name: Abubakr Mohammed Seedat
Sort code: 04-00-75
Account number: 53955994
May Allah Almighty forgive Mufti Yusuf, elevate his status, allow his legacy of knowledge, humility, and service to continue through his students, family, and loved ones. May Allah give the whole family Sabr Jamīl, and reunite everyone in Jannah. May He give the Ummah a recompense for this huge loss. Āmīn.
