As the world reflected on the life of Muhammad Ali the week after his death, several meaningful emotions surfaced for me.
As a Black-American Muslim, I hadn’t taken complete stock of how consistently being erased from the Muslim American narrative has impacted me. Following Ali’s death, I graciously witnessed my own family’s story on television and social media. My parents converted to Islam like Ali, and started their spiritual journey in the religion with the Nation of Islam. As memories are shared of Ali, the world can examine the relevance of Islam in the Black struggle. The struggle in America that caused many Blacks, like my parents, to turn to a spiritual path that liberated, demanded their fight for justice and freedom, and focused them on a higher purpose; a struggle that consequently gave public prominence to Islam in America from figures like Ali and Malcolm X.
With pride, I’ve been resonating on the deeply moving stories of Ali. I see my family and myself. I see a story of being Black, Muslim, and American and none of those identities being contradictory or compromised. He was “The People’s Champ,” yet everything he was not supposed to be -- unapologetically Black and Muslim. I see the, “I am America. I am the part you won't recognize. But get used to me. Black, confident, cocky; my name, not yours; my religion, not yours; my goals, my own; get used to me" (Muhammad Ali). I see the strength and courage of Black folks that dare to be different after years of being told they were “different.”
The images of Black Muslim centeredness have been empowering. Imam Zaid Shakir, a Black-American Islamic scholar, led the Janazah prayer and hosted the memorial the following day. Many of the pallbearers were Black Muslim brothers. There’s been no short of mentions regarding Ali’s love for Black people, his Black pride, and his belief in Islam. When rare but precious, powerful moments happen, it also touches a spiritual place. What could forge the convergence of this remarkableness?
Allah (God) elevated a Black Muslim to such levels that after his passing, he is honored in a magnificent way by people of all faiths. He is honored in a way such that during a time when anti-Muslim rhetoric is at its height, there’s command of a live audience of 20,000 people plus those watching remotely from all walks of life to sit in silence as Qur’an is recited, the word of God, the religion of Muhammad Ali. That is powerful-- Only Allah’s power could make that possible.
As many Muslims are anxious about America’s current climate, and rightfully so, Ali’s passing allows me to reflect on what it means to put full trust and faith in Allah. I am reminded on what it means to stand for Allah and he will stand for you. Ali refuses to enter the draft citing religious objections. Nearly five years later, conviction charges of evading the draft were overturned, a testament of Allah’s mercy and blessings. I am reminded of who is in control. Allah. I am reminded that when we stand for our truth in the way of Allah, he will rectify our affairs.
Though he had much to lose, Muhammad Ali was not shy about his faith. And now, we see Allah raise him to proportions of being loved by many, a man name Muhammad, also the name of our beloved Prophet. Allah allowed thousands to pray for His mercy on Ali and that He grants him with the highest level of Heaven during the holy month of Ramadan. Allah allowed thousands to come together to honor, celebrate, and mourn Ali in a manner that he requested. Here, we witness Allah elevate a Black Muslim American.
Remembering Ali is not only touching, but also re-encouraging. I feel energized to honor his legacy of courage, truth-telling, Black empowerment, and commitment to faith.