Adeel Malik
The legend, Muhammad Ali (rahimullah – may Allah have mercy upon him) has moved on to the next phase of his soul’s life, but his inspirtational imprint he has left in this world will live forever.
This is an excerpt from an interview that was conducted by Shaheen Ahmed and Abdul Malik Mujahid many years ago at his residence for “Young Muslim” magazine published by Sound Vision.
It all started with an innocent question: You have beaten some of the toughest men in the world in the ring. What scares you the most?
Ali: [Points to his wife, to much laughter]
Lonnie Ali: Come on, Muhammad, joking aside, tell them what really scares you.
Ali: Nothing.
Lonnie Ali: Nothing on this earth maybe, but … tell them Muhammad.
[There is a long pause]
Ali: Not going to heaven.
[Everyone present became silent…
Sister Lonnie Ali had tears flowing down her cheeks. Others present were also shaken and silent. A few wiping their eyes.
Br. Malik Mujahid broke the silence, patting Muhammad Ali on his arm.]
Malik Mujahid: “No, Insha Allah, you will enter Jannah because you have helped so many people.”
Ali:[Muhammad Ali turned his face towards Br. Malik Mujahid, looking at him as though asking: Are you sure? Are you sure about yourself?]
Malik Mujahid: “The Mumin lives between hope and fear.”
Read Also: 15 Golden Quotes from the Peoples’ Champ Muhammad Ali
Subhan’Allah. A man who was, and continues to be on the lips and thoughts of millions, maybe billions of people, knew it all counts for nothing if Allah is not pleased with him.
It would have been so easy for him to just live in the fame he was blessed with, but he kept his feet on the ground, head bowed to his Creator and heart concerned with his hereafter, not the worldly life.
We ask Allah, through His infinite mercy, to raise the rank of our brother Muhammad Ali to be with his namesake.
