Muhammad Ali: The Legacy Of The Greatest Boxer Of All Time

Heroic. Inspirational. Charitable. Loving. Champion. These are a few appellations that describe the man who was born Cassius Marcellus Clay and became Muhammad Ali. Ali, who passed away in the company of his family on June 3rd, 2016 in Arizona was perhaps best known by the laudation “The Greatest of All Time” (G.O.A.T.)¹ for the way he captivated audiences worldwide with his mastery of the pugilistic art. Ali was a giant of the sweet science; as he put it, he was known to "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. The hands can't hit what the eyes can't see." With a career record of 56-5 with 37 knockouts, Muhammad Ali is the only three-time world-heavyweight champion, having won in 1964, 1974, and 1978.² He fought some of history’s most well-known fighters, including George Foreman and “Smoking” Joe Frazier and is considered by many to be the best pound for pound boxer of all time.

In addition to his boxing prowess, Ali was renowned for his unapologetic sense of justice. The spark that inspired him to stand up against a thief who stole his bicycle as a child by learning to box reverberated throughout his life. Ali’s status as a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War resulted in his absence from boxing for four years. Ultimately, Ali’s titles were returned to him by the U.S. Supreme Court, by which time his fame had transcended the boxing world and Ali had become a cultural icon.

Ali’s legacy was one of courageous transformation. Born and raised a Baptist Christian, Ali joined the Nation of Islam in 1964, in part due to his dissatisfaction with segregation.³ Muhammad Ali was blessed to have performed the Hajj in 1972⁴, after which he commented: “I have had so many nice moments in my life. But the feelings I had standing on Mount Arafat on the day of the haj was the most unique.” ⁵ Ali continued to seek, and became a Sunni Muslim in 1975. ⁶ On why he chose to become a Sunni, Muhammad Ali said:

I chose the Islamic path because I never saw so much love. I never saw so many people loving each other… kissing each other… praying five times a day… the women in the long garments… say asalamu alaykum… walaykum asalam… you got a home, you got a brother. ⁷

Ali denounced racism completely. He said: “Hating people because of their color is wrong. And it doesn't matter which color does the hating. It's just plain wrong.” ⁸

Ali continued on the path of spiritual growth. A serious student of spirituality, The Peoples’ Champ eventually embraced Sufism.⁹

Ali was a symbol of African-American heroism during the Civil Rights movement and afterwards. As President Barack Obama eloquated:

"This is the Muhammad Ali who continues to inspire us — the man who believed real success comes when we rise after we fall; who has shown us that through undying faith and steadfast love, each of us can make this world a better place. He will always be the champ".¹⁰

Muhammad Ali’s ability to inspire was not abstract. It was real, visceral – like two left jabs and a right to the face. He once talked a man down from jumping to his suicide in 1981¹¹, and his legacy still motivates countless people worldwide today.

Ali was a humble philanthropist. Afflicted with Parkinson’s Disease, Ali helped bring awareness to the condition through various philanthropic endeavors. He also established the Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky, a multicultural center whose mission is “to promote respect, hope, and understanding, and to inspire adults and children everywhere to be as great as they can be.”¹²

Although laconic in his later years due to Parkinsons, Ali was still an outspoken champion of the truth. After the horrific attacks on the World Trade Center, Ali said: ‘I am angry that the world sees a certain group of Islam followers who caused this destruction, but they are not real Muslims. They are racist fanatics who call themselves Muslims, permitting this murder of thousands.’ ¹³ Ali also said: ‘Islam is not a killer religion. ‘Islam means peace. I couldn’t just sit home and watch people label Muslims as the reason for the problem.’ ¹⁴

The death of Muhammad Ali is a great loss to not only the world of sports, but to Muslims and humanitarians everywhere. He represented some of the best qualities in modern sportsmen, and had an infectious smile and affable personality that in many ways reflected the Sunnah of the Noble Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him). He left behind a wonderful family and a society that is enriched for his having sojourned therein. He will be missed. May Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) grant Muhammad Ali the highest ranks in paradise, and grant him bliss and peace in the afterlife. Ameen.