Background
Yousuf was born in Budgam in 1322 hijri, and completed his education in Islamic law from Najaf in Iraq.
Yousuf was born in Budgam in 1322 hijri, and completed his education in Islamic law from Najaf in Iraq.
He founded the influential Anjuman-e-Sharie organisation. He established an educational institution for Islamic learning called Madras-e Babul Ilem ("gateway of knowledge") in Budgam. Madars-e Babul Ilem is the alma mater of many in the Kashmir literary field.
Such Sharie Adalats ("religious courts") determine justice according to Islamic doctrine. During the period of Yousef, sharie adalats became very popular. There were a number of occasions when the district court sent cases to Yousef's court.
Anjumane Sharie Shian
Aga Syed Yousef established Anjumane Sharie Shian in Jammu and Kashmir with both religious and political goals. Yousuf undertook the construction of Imambara Budgam. He also widened the Imambara Hassanabad, a smaller replica of the one in Budgam.
Yousuf donated $2 million to Iran as financial assistance during the revolutionary struggle. When Ayatollah Khomeini was expelled from Iran by the Shah, Yousuf wrote him a letter and invited him to Kashmir. Ayatollah Khomeini replied, "I would love to visit my ancestral home, Kashmir, but due to certain political reason I am afraid I can't." All the letters of Ayatollah Khomeini are preserved in the personal library of Ayatollah Yousuf.
Personal
Yousuf died on 29 August 1982. After his death, the district hospital of Budgam was named after him.