Summary

The website content reflects on the legacy of Muhammed Ali, celebrating his courage, pride in his identity as a black Muslim man, and his unyielding stance against injustice, while also challenging the Muslim community to confront racism within its ranks and urging unity in the fight against systemic oppression.

Abstract

The article titled "Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee — Say His Name: Muhammed Ali!" eulogizes the late boxer not only as a sports legend but as a symbol of resilience and moral integrity in the face of racial injustice. It emphasizes Ali's conversion to Islam and his alignment with civil rights leaders like Malcolm X, highlighting his refusal to compromise his values during the Vietnam War and his relentless advocacy for the African American community. The author draws parallels between Ali's activism and the contemporary struggle against systemic racism, particularly in light of the murder of George Floyd and other instances of police brutality. The piece calls upon Muslims to honor Ali's legacy by actively combating racism within their communities and to stand in solidarity with those oppressed by systemic injustices. The author commits to walking alongside African American brothers and sisters in the ongoing fight for equality, advocating for justice, and listening to their voices, as a tribute to Ali's enduring spirit.

Opinions

Muhammed Ali is celebrated as a figure of inspiration and redemption, alongside Malcolm X, for his profound impact on the author's life as a Muslim.
Ali's pride in his blackness and his Muslim identity is seen as unassailable and beyond the reach of whitewashing by white America.
The author believes that Ali would have supported the current demonstrations against racial injustice, given his history of activism and outspokenness.
There is a call to action for Muslims to genuinely embrace Ali's legacy by confronting racism within the Muslim community, particularly the use of derogatory terms and prejudiced attitudes towards African Americans.
The author acknowledges the importance of not remaining silent in the face of injustice, equating silence with complicity in oppression.
The article emphasizes the need for Muslims to actively engage in the fight against systemic racism and to embody Ali's moral compass in their daily actions.
The author personally pledges to honor Ali's legacy through active participation in the struggle for justice and equality, emphasizing the importance of listening to and walking with those directly affected by systemic racism.

Float Like a Butterly, Sting Like a Bee — Say His Name: Muhammed Ali!

We came in chains!

We came in misery!

Now all our suffering, pains are part of history.

We came in chains!

You must remember that!

For that, and that alone explains exactly where we are at.

We came in chains!

We came as living loot!

So you could boast! Slave gotten gains.

We’ve grown beneath your boot!

We came in chains!

And how our blood was spilled!

Together with our sweat, it stains this nation we have built.

We came in chains!

We didn’t volunteer; and yet today the fact remains.

We’re still held captive here.

We came in chains!

Now, I say cut us lose! Though, that may go against your grain.

Still, there is no excuse!

We came in chains!

Now, who down there is gonna bear the cost.

Till every one of us regains, the freedom, we have lost.

We came in chains!

And now, your choice must be… to either blow out all my brains!

Or else, you’ll set me free!

Muhammed Ali

As a Muslim, having converted into Islam, aside from the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), no other individuals have inspired me more than brothers Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali.

Before my 2nd year in college, I did not know much about Malcolm. A good friend gave me Malcolm X — an autobiography as told to Alex Haley for my birthday, and I read it in 2 — maybe — 3 days. I immediately gravitated towards him; It is impossible for Malcolm not to have that effect on everyone that learns about his life. Malcolm’s life is one of redemption, spirituality, bravery, and growth.

Malcolm is one of the greatest intellectuals of the 20th century, and if you do not believe me, go to YouTube and watch some of his interviews and listen to speeches. They transcend over time and place as he was way ahead of his time — he understood the deep issues America was facing then and knew we would still face today. The current situation proves it.

However, this piece is not about Malcolm; it is about another great man who left us 4 years ago today — Muhammed Ali.

Just as I lacked knowledge of Malcolm X, prior to going to college, I did not know much about Muhammed Ali other than his boxing exploitations. Right around the time of learning about Malcolm, I started learning about Muhammed Ali as well.

What strikes me the most about Ali was his morality and proudness. White America can whitewash MLK, but there is no way they can whitewash Ali. Ali was a proud man — a beautiful black man as he called himself. He was a proud Muslim — he got into the ring with Ernie Terrell, the man who refused to call him Muhammed Ali and every time Ali landed a punch on him, he was asking, “What’s my name!!”

This past week and following the death of George Floyd, I kept thinking of Ali’s death anniversary and what he would have thought of all this? What would he have thought of the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Atatiana Jefferson, Botham Jean, Breonna Taylor?

Judging by how he carried himself, how he sacrificed his career for his stance on the Vietnam War, how proud and outspoken he was about his blackness — he would definitely have encouraged the demonstrations. I am not going to get into the violent vs. peaceful protesting debate — that division defeats the purpose of what the protesters are doing out there — the reason they are getting tear-gassed and shot at with rubber bullets.

Ali would not have been silent. He was never silent to injustice — his moral compass would not allow him to do that. Even though he is no with us, his spirit is. His spirit is out there with every protester marching against injustice and the systematic racism a lot of people still refuse to accept.

Today more than ever, we must carry Muhammad’s Ali legacy — carry it on the streets, carry it in our voices because, with our silence, we are only aiding the oppressor. Been silent means, we are choosing to be complicit to murder and injustice.

To my Muslim Brothers and Sisters

Please stop claiming Muhammad Ali as your own if you are not willing to claim his actions and words. If you are not willing to confront the racism that exists within our ummah — that is a dishonor to Muhammad Ali and everything he stood for.

We as Muslims are quick to claim both brother Muhammad Ali and brother Malcolm yet we do not want to tell our family members and friends that by referring to black people as “abeed” — slave for Arabic or Kalu — black for Urdu is racist. We do not want to shake the hand of an African brother at the mosque as he wishes us, Eid Mubarak. We do not want our children to get married to an African — American even if he is a better Muslim than us.

Muhammad Ali did not and would not tolerate this injustice. If we are proud of Muhammad Ali for been our Muslim brother, then we must carry on his legacy with dignity. We must stand for justice for George Floyd and every single man who looks like George Floyd and has been mistreated by our government, the police, and the criminal justice system day after day.

To my African — American brothers and sisters

I would be a hypocrite if I just did the talk but did not do the walk. I would be a hypocrite if I kept saying that Muhammed Ali is one of the individuals I look up to the most, yet I did not actively fight this injustice. So I am promising you that today, tomorrow, and as long as it takes, I will walk with you, advocate with you, and, most importantly, listen to you! That’s how I choose to honor the legacy of Muhammad Ali — the proud, beautiful black Muslim man who left us too soon!