Mr. Syed Yusuf was born in Nandyal district of Andhra Pradesh in 1939. He completed his Higher Secondary education in Nandyal Municipal School. During his schooling, he met one of the pioneers of Jamaat, late Maulana Abdul Rahim Munshi and got inspired by him.
As a result, Yusuf was associated with Jamaat-e-Islami since his student life. He was granted membership of the Jamaat in 1966 and was secretary of the Jamaat and member of its Central Advisory Council since 1982. He was Editor of Radiance Viewsweekly and also Secretary of Board of Islamic Publications under which Radiance is published. Earlier he worked in the Secretariat of Government of Andhra Pradesh but resigned in order to render his services to Jamaat and its activities.
Mr. Yusuf was considered a valuable asset for the Islamic movement and was a living embodiment of the religion he professed. He was associated with a number of social, educational and academic organisations. He was secretary of All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat and Forum for Democracy and Communal Amity (FDCA). He was member of various organisations including Idara-e- Tahqeeq-o-Tasneef of Aligarh. A man of versatile genius, the Jamaat leader was an eminent journalist, orator and a legal expert. His articles and interviews used to appear in various national and international newspapers and magazines besides Radiance and Dawat. Mr. Yusuf played a significant role in pursuing the Jamaat case in Supreme Court when Jamaat was banned in 1991.
Mr. Yusuf wrote extensively on the issue of Babri Masjid, Uniform Civil Code, triple talaq, during communal flare up and natural calamities. He took strong notice of the articles written against Islam and Muslims and used to give them fitting replies. In his discourses he preached tolerance and communal harmony. He always made sincere effort for the growth and consolidation of Jamaat’s activities and was always eager to solve community issues and problems. Interaction and not isolation was the motto of his life. It is through this interaction that he became part of the vehicle through which the society was both enlightened and directed to reach a better stance, especially in times of riots and general elections. It is with the help of FDCA that he did it at the best. He always stood for objective journalism and never compromised with the principles under any circumstances. As Editor of Radiance he improved its quality. He did maintain religious columns but at the same time introduced other subjects as well. He was instrumental in bringing the Muslim society closer to mainstream.
Mr. Yusuf breathed his last on 30 September, 1997 in Hyderabad at the age of 59 following brief illness. The last seminar he participated in was on Secularism in India—Meaning, Significance and Relevance held at Mumbai on 21 September 1997.