Birth and Family Lineage
Maulana Yusuf Desai was born on 23 Rabi‘ul Awwal 1400, corresponding to 10 February 1980, in Cape Town, South Africa.
Maulana’s maternal grandmother was a Catholic teacher who later accepted Islam. Her father was a white British journalist who married a black woman from the Khoisan community.
His maternal grandfather was a businessman from KwaZulu-Natal, whose mother was a Pathan woman from Kabul.
Maulana’s paternal grandfather, the late Ismail Hajee Desai رحمه الله, was a businessman who had taken Bay‘ah to Hakim al-Ummah, Hazrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi رحمه الله. He was also a close friend and associate of Munshi Saheb رحمه الله of Inanda. Maulana’s paternal grandmother was from the respected Kajee family.
Early Life and Education
Maulana Yusuf grew up in Lenasia, Gauteng, and completed his Matric at Lenasia Muslim School. During his school years, he was appointed as a prefect and subsequently entrusted with the responsibility of Head Boy.
From an early age, Maulana developed a passion for Qur'anic recitation. He participated in numerous Qiraat Jalsas hosted by the Association of Muslim Schools (AMS) and became well known for his recitation.
He also participated in the Imam Saud University Hadeeth Competition, which required contestants to memorise the complete Forty Ahadeeth of Imam Nawawi رحمه الله. Maulana Yusuf achieved first position in this competition.
This early experience of memorising the Ahadeeth of Rasulullah ﷺ would later have a significant influence on his approach to Deeni education.
The Majaalis of the Pious
It was the habit of Maulana's respected father to attend the gatherings of the pious and the ‘Ulama. Through his father, Maulana was exposed from a young age to the company and Majaalis of many great luminaries of the time, including Mufti Mahmood Hasan Gangohi رحمه الله, Shaykh Abdul Fattah Abu Ghuddah رحمه الله, Hajee Farouq Saheb رحمه الله, Maulana Abrarul Haq Saheb رحمه الله and many others.
Maulana grew up in the same town and Extension 9 area as the late Hazrat Mufti Husain Bayat رحمه الله and spent time with his children. When Hazrat Hakim Muhammad Akhtar Saheb رحمه الله visited South Africa, he would often reside at the home of the late Mufti Husain Bayat رحمه الله. During this period, Maulana had the good fortune of regularly spending time in his company and attending his Majaalis. It was also during this period that Maulana first met Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel رحمه الله.
Maulana also benefited from attending the Majaalis of Hazrat Hajee Farouq Saheb رحمه الله and had the good fortune of meeting and sitting in the company of Hazrat Maulana Abrarul Haq Saheb رحمه الله.
These encounters and the environments in which Maulana was raised left a profound impression upon him and played an important role in shaping his understanding of Deen, Tarbiyah and service.
Relationship with Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel رحمه الله
Maulana's relationship with Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel رحمه الله became one of the most significant influences on his life.
Following the demise of Mufti Mahmood Hasan Gangohi رحمه الله, Maulana took Bay‘ah at the hands of Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel رحمه الله. Their relationship developed into a close bond which continued for approximately fourteen years, spanning Maulana's schooling years, Hifz studies and Aalim studies, until the demise of Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel رحمه الله.
In 2004, upon the guidance and instruction of Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel رحمه الله, Maulana migrated from Gauteng to KwaZulu-Natal. He subsequently spent considerable time in the service of Hazrat Maulana and benefited from his constant guidance, mentorship and spiritual direction.
Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel رحمه الله entrusted Maulana with various responsibilities, including serving as deputy Imam and appointing him as Ameer of At-Taqwa Madrasah.
The influence of Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel رحمه الله remained a defining feature of Maulana's Deeni journey, and his teachings and legacy continue to influence Maulana's work to this day.
Through his participation in Qiraat Jalsas during his school years, Maulana developed a close and personal relationship with the late Qari Ismail Ishaq Saheb رحمه الله, who was the head of the Qiraat and Tajweed faculty at Darul Uloom Azaadville.
At the request of Qari Ismail Ishaq Saheb رحمه الله, Maulana enrolled at Darul Uloom Azaadville to complete the memorisation of the Qur'an Sharif. By the فضل and assistance of Allah Ta‘aala, he completed the memorisation of the entire Qur'an in approximately eight months.
Thereafter, Maulana completed the Aalim course as well as the Qiraat course.
Around the time of Maulana's migration to KwaZulu-Natal in 2004, Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel رحمه الله proposed a marriage match for Maulana with one of his students. The proposal was accepted, and Maulana was married during this period.
Maulana and his wife have been blessed with four children.
Throughout Maulana's years of service, his wife has stood steadfastly beside him, providing unwavering support and encouragement. Her contribution has been particularly significant in the development and management of the At-Taqwa Madrasah, where she continues to play an important role in its day-to-day functioning and growth.
Maulana attributes a significant portion of what has been achieved at At-Taqwa to the support of his family, particularly his wife, and to the encouragement and sacrifices of his children. He regards their support as an important part of the journey and of the opportunities Allah Ta‘aala has granted him to serve the Deen.
After relocating to KwaZulu-Natal in 2004, Maulana began a period of dedicated service to Deen and the community.
He taught Hifz at Madrasah Hamidiyyah in Overport for approximately three years.
During the lifetime of Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel رحمه الله, Maulana also served as deputy Imam of Masjid-e-Noor in Asherville, Durban, from 2004 to 2011. Following the demise of Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel رحمه الله, Maulana continued to serve as Imam at Masjid-e-Noor until 2020.
Thereafter, Maulana was offered an Imamat position in the Glenwood area. Recognising the need for Deeni service in the area, he accepted the responsibility and began rendering services to the local Muslim community.
Maulana currently serves as Imam of Musallah Umar Al-Farouq in Glenwood.
Maulana initially took Bay‘ah at the hands of Mufti Mahmood Hasan Gangohi رحمه الله. Following the demise of Mufti Mahmood Hasan Gangohi رحمه الله, he took Bay‘ah at the hands of Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel رحمه الله and remained closely connected to him until his demise.
After the demise of Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel رحمه الله, Maulana established a relationship with Hazrat Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Mazhar Saheb دامت بركاته, from whom he subsequently received Khilafah.
The guidance and influence of these elders have remained an important part of Maulana's Deeni life and continue to inform his approach to education, Tarbiyah and service.
The Development of At-Taqwa
When Maulana Yusuf Desai assumed responsibility at At-Taqwa Madrasah, the institution was a small Madrasah catering for a limited number of primary-school boys. The entire institution operated from a single building which was divided between the Madrasah and a residence.
Over the years, through dedication, planning and foresight, Maulana developed At-Taqwa into a much broader Deeni institution.
Today, At-Taqwa caters for Primary and Senior Boys, as well as a full-time Hifz programme. By 2025, twenty-five learners had completed the memorisation of the entire Qur'an Sharif through the institution.
Maulana's focus has consistently been on quality rather than quantity, with a strong emphasis on excellence in Deeni education, Tarbiyah, discipline and the overall development of learners.
At-Taqwa Girls Madrasah
One of the significant developments during Maulana's tenure was the establishment of the At-Taqwa Girls Madrasah in Essenwood in 2023. The Girls Madrasah commenced with just ten learners and has since grown to approximately 100 learners.
The establishment and development of the Girls Madrasah has been a collaborative effort, with Maulana's wife playing a particularly significant role in its management and day-to-day functioning. Her steadfast support has been instrumental in enabling the Madrasah to develop while maintaining its focus on quality Deeni education and Tarbiyah.
Hifzul Hadeeth Challenge
Maulana's own experience of memorising the Forty Ahadeeth of Imam Nawawi رحمه الله during his youth had a lasting influence on his approach to Deeni education. Drawing inspiration from this experience, Maulana established the Hifzul Hadeeth Challenge at At-Taqwa, encouraging learners to memorise the Ahadeeth of Rasulullah ﷺ through a structured programme incorporating incentives and encouragement.
When the initiative commenced in 2014, learners were encouraged to memorise up to 60 Ahadeeth. The programme has subsequently developed considerably, and learners are now encouraged to memorise up to 250 Ahadeeth.
The initiative reflects Maulana's desire to cultivate a love for the Sunnah and to encourage learners to go beyond the minimum requirements of their formal curriculum.
The At-Taqwa Organisation
As At-Taqwa developed, Maulana structured the organisation into several departments, each serving a distinct purpose.
The Boys Madrasah provides structured Deeni education to primary and senior boys, together with a full-time Hifz programme.
Established in 2023, the Girls Madrasah provides structured Deeni education and Tarbiyah to young Muslim girls.
At-Taqwa Academy was established with the objective of preserving and continuing the legacy of Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel رحمه الله. Through the Academy, an effort is made to preserve his teachings, guidance and Deeni legacy for future generations.
At-Taqwa Publications develops and publishes educational material for learners at the respective grade levels. To date, more than 100 books have been published, providing structured resources to support Deeni education.
At-Taqwa Projects is the social welfare and community-service arm of the organisation, providing assistance to vulnerable members of the community through a range of initiatives.
Its initiatives include:
These initiatives reflect Maulana's broader commitment to ensuring that the service of Deen extends beyond the classroom and into the wider community.
Leadership and Educational Philosophy
Maulana's approach to leadership is characterised by positivity, optimism and a strong emphasis on excellence.
By nature, Maulana is approachable and places considerable emphasis on motivating people and encouraging them towards improvement. He seeks to identify potential in others and to inspire learners, teachers and members of the community to strive for greater achievement.
His philosophy has consistently been to pursue quality rather than quantity. Expansion, in his view, should be accompanied by sound Tarbiyah, effective education, good administration and a commitment to excellence.
This philosophy is evident not only in the growth of At-Taqwa, but also in the development of initiatives such as the Hifzul Hadeeth Challenge, the full-time Hifz programme, At-Taqwa Publications and the various community-service projects.
Mentorship and Guidance
Over the years, Maulana has taught, mentored and influenced hundreds of individuals, both directly and indirectly.
Those who have benefited from his influence include ‘Ulama, professionally qualified individuals and many Muslims who have subsequently progressed into different stages of their lives. For many, their association with Maulana and At-Taqwa has represented an important stage in their Deeni education, personal development and spiritual growth.
Maulana continues to offer advice and guidance to learners, teachers, parents and members of the public on an almost daily basis.
His approach is generally one of encouragement and motivation, seeking to guide people towards positive change and improvement.
Da‘wah and Community Service
Maulana's service extends beyond the boundaries of At-Taqwa.
He conducts weekly Majaalis in the Glenwood, Westville and Newlands areas, providing members of the community with opportunities to benefit from Deeni reminders, guidance and spiritual advice.
His involvement in community welfare through At-Taqwa Projects, together with his Imamat, educational responsibilities and Majaalis, allows him to serve people across a broad spectrum of the community.
A Continuing Legacy of Service
Since being appointed Ameer of At-Taqwa in 2008, Maulana Yusuf Desai has dedicated himself to the development and service of the institution.
What began as a small Madrasah serving a limited number of primary boys from a single building has developed into a multifaceted organisation serving boys, girls, Huffaz, educators and the wider community.
At-Taqwa continues to operate with the principle of providing quality Deeni education while keeping fees low and accessible. The institution has no official collector and continues to rely upon the assistance of Allah Ta‘aala and the support of the community.
Maulana's contribution to the development of At-Taqwa has been marked by dedication, foresight and a commitment to building an institution that can continue serving the Ummah for generations to come. His emphasis on quality, excellence, Tarbiyah and service has shaped not only the growth of the institution, but also the lives of the many learners, teachers and community members who have passed through its doors.
This journey has also been sustained by the support of his family, particularly his wife and children, whose sacrifices and encouragement have enabled Maulana to continue his responsibilities over many years.
His ongoing efforts represent a continuation of the legacy and guidance of the elders from whom he benefited, particularly Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel رحمه الله.
May Allah Ta‘aala accept Maulana's efforts, grant him Ikhlaas and Istiqamah, bless him with the best of health and strength, and grant him the Tawfeeq to continue serving His Deen, the Qur'an and the Ummah for many years to come.
Aameen.
A journey rooted in the guidance of the elders, sustained by family, and dedicated to serving the Deen and the Ummah.
Born in Cape Town on 10 February 1980.
Developed a passion for Qur'anic recitation, participated in Qiraat Jalsas and achieved 1st position in the Imam Saud University Forty Ahadeeth Competition.
Darul Uloom Azaadville
Completed Hifz of the Qur'an Sharif in approximately 8 months, followed by the Aalim and Qiraat courses.
Upon the guidance of Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel رحمه الله, migrated from Gauteng to KwaZulu-Natal and commenced dedicated service to Deen.
Marriage & Family
Married around the time of his migration, following a proposal facilitated by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel رحمه الله. Blessed with four children.
Taught Hifz at Madrasah Hamidiyyah and served as Deputy Imam of Masjid-e-Noor, Asherville.
Appointed Ameer of At-Taqwa Madrasah by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel رحمه الله.
Established the Hifzul Hadeeth Challenge, inspired by his own memorisation of the Forty Ahadeeth of Imam Nawawi رحمه الله. The target grew from 60 to 250 Ahadeeth.
Commenced his current phase of Imamat and community service in Glenwood.
Established in Essenwood with 10 learners.
At-Taqwa's full-time Hifz programme reaches 25 completed Huffaz, while the Girls Madrasah grows to approximately 100 learners.
100+ Publications
At-Taqwa Publications has produced more than 100 books for learners.
At-Taqwa now encompasses:
Boys Madrasah • Girls Madrasah • Full-Time Hifz • At-Taqwa Academy • At-Taqwa Publications • At-Taqwa Projects
Alongside education and Tarbiyah, At-Taqwa Projects provides 100,000+ meals annually, approximately 3,000 hampers, 10,000 meals through the mobile soup kitchen, and 2,000 sandwiches to underprivileged learners annually, as well as affordable primary healthcare through Al-Farouq Medical Centre.