On behalf of myself and all of God’s Unruly Friends, I wish to take a moment to salute the life of Muhammad Ali.

What is there left to say about him? He was a master boxer whose technique was technically “wrong” (he kept his left low; you just don’t do this in boxing), but became the undisputed world heavyweight champion. He was a fearless fighter for civil rights, who put himself on the line, ready to accept without fear or apology the consequences society threw at him for doing the right thing. He was one of America’s best representatives of Islam, showing the world the beauty and heart of Islam at a time when it was made to be the enemy. 

Once, he was in the vicinity of a police standoff with a suicidal man who was about to jump from a ledge. He talked the man down, and literally saved his life. He’d clown around for the press and for the amusement of children; and at the same time show astonishing seriousness and strength.

I will never forget when, after Parkinson’s Disease had ravaged his once strong body, he lit the torch for the 1996 Olympics. Even the fragility of his body could not diminish the man’s power. 

When he died, after all his organ failed, his heart continued to beat for a full 30 minutes before he was finally called home. 

 
He was exemplary of what a man could and should be. I salute him, and thank Allah for his life.