Muhammad Ali

Selepas sekian lama bertarung dgn parkinson, akhirnya Muhammad Ali, ikon tinju dunia serta muslim di USA menghembuskan nafasnya yg terakhir tadi.

Ali, atau nama asalnya Cassius Clay, benar² mewarnai dunia ketika zaman kemuncaknya. Bukan sahaja di dalam gelanggang tinju selaku juara olimpik dan juara dunia, namun juga di luar gelanggang menerusi penglibatannya secara aktif dalam persatuan Islam di sana.

Sungguh di dunia ini hanya pernah ada seorg Muhammad Ali. Semoga Allah mencucurkan rahmat ke atas beliau.

انا لله وانا اليه راجعون. اللهم اغفرله وارحمه وعافه واعف عنه.

"This life is not real. I conquered the world and it did not bring me satisfaction. God gave me this illness to remind me that I'm not number one, He is." - Muhammad Ali (ra)

Today a legend passed. A shining example of truth, courage, and justice. You will not be forgotten dear brother. Muhammad Ali isn't just the greatest athlete of all time, he's an American hero that won the world over with his commitment to the truth. Allah knows how much I've always loved and admired him.

This video is very special as Muhammad Ali (ra) reflects on the meanings of God, life, death, and the hereafter. Take 10 minutes and watch this profound speech.

"I know where I'm going and I know the truth, and I don't have to be what you want me to be. I'm free to be what I want." Muhammad Ali (ra)

May Allah have mercy on him and elevate his rank, and join him with the greatest in Jannatul firdaws. Ameen

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon.

Today the world woke up to hear of the death of the well-known inspiration, role model and shining example of truth, Muhammad Ali, who passed away last night, just days before the blessed month of Ramadan.

A man who exemplified these words:

Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.
- Muhammad Ali

There are many lessons we can learn from his passing, and I will share a few:

Firstly; whatever status, power, position or rank one has in this world amongst the people, it will all crumble away when one is struck by death. Everything will go and the only thing that will remain is our example and our character that people remember us for. Muhammad Ali is someone who left his mark. He was a man who did not let the world or fame deceive him but instead used every platform he entered to give Dawah to the masses.

As someone once said: "Muhammad Ali isn't just the greatest athlete of all time, he's a hero that won the world over with his commitment to the truth."

Secondly, death can come to us at anytime. So many of us are preparing for the month of Ramadhan with anticipation, yet we forget that none can enter it except by the permission of Allah. Muhammad Ali never knew that he would not live to see this blessed month for one last time.

We ask Allah to allow us to witness this blessed month and grant us the ability to truly treasure every moment of it.

Finally, I'd like to share some profound words from Muhammad Ali that will help us abstain from our sins and remind us what it means to have true will-power and control over our desires.

"I don’t smoke but I keep a match box in my pocket. When my heart slips towards a sin, I burn a match stick and heat my palm. Then I say to myself:
‘Ali, you can’t bear even this heat, how would you bear the unbearable heat of Hell?’ - Muhammad Ali

May Allah have mercy on him and elevate his rank, and join him with the greatest in Jannatul firdaws. Ameen