Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Having refused induction into the U.S. Army, he also stood for the proposition that unless you have a very good reason to kill, war is wrong. As Black activist Julian Bond later observed, When a figure as heroic and beloved as Muhammad Ali stood up and said, No, I wont go, it reverberated through the whole society.. He buried both of Muhammad's parents and Lonnie's mother, and when Ali used the visitation of Cassius Marcellus Clay Sr. as an opportunity to hand out Islamic literature at the head of the casket . Seven months later, Ali defeated Spinks in a unanimous 15-round decision to reclaim the heavyweight crown and become the first fighter to win the world heavyweight boxing title three times. After 43 months in exile, Ali returned to the ring on October 26, 1970, and knocked out Jerry Quarry (1945-1999) in the third round. [3], Ali first met Malcolm X, Elijah Muhammad's chief disciple at the time in Detroit in 1962. Conversely, the thought of having to face a dreaded "Black Muslim" must have been at the very least a slightly daunting proposition for many of Ali's opponents, especially the ones he christened "Uncle Toms."[32]. Thus, purists cringed when Clay predicted the round in which he intended to knock out an opponent, and they grimaced when he did so and bragged about each new conquest. Clay met charismatic Nation of Islam minister Malcolm X at a rally in Detroit in June 1962. WALTER DHLADHLA/AFP/Getty Images. The pair met in June 1997 and have been married for over two decades. Citing his religious beliefs, he refused military induction and was stripped of his heavyweight championship and banned from boxing for three years during the prime of his career. When Liston failed to answer the bell at the start of the seventh round, Clay was indeed crowned heavyweight champion of the world. One of his daughters, however, Laila Ali, pursued a career as a professional boxer during which she went undefeated in 24 bouts between 1999 and 2007 while capturing a number of titles in various weight classes. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The three-time heavyweight boxing champion, who passed away on June 3 at age 74, spent 15 years as a Black Muslim (as the Nations members were often called) before converting to Sunni Islam. On March 6, 1964, he took the name Muhammad Ali, which was given to him by his spiritual mentor, Elijah Muhammad. They are Rasheda, Jamillah, Maryum, Miya, Khaliah, Hana, and Laila. He decided that not his race, nor his place, the expectations of otherspositive, negative, or otherwisewould strip from him the power to write his own story., Crystal, who was a struggling comedian when he became friends with Ali, said of the boxing legend: Ultimately, he became a silent messenger for peace, who taught us that life is best when you build bridges between people, not walls.. He embraced Sufi Islam and followed the teachings of Hazrat Inayat Khan. Ex-brother-in-law of Vernica Porche Ali, Sonji Roi, and Khalilah Camacho Ali. Perhaps the most well-known child of the late world champion is Laila, who then followed her father's footsteps and became one of the greatest female boxers of all . She taught us it was wrong to be prejudiced or hate. [14][15] According to Ali, "hearts and souls have no color", and it was wrong of Elijah Muhammad to have talked of "white devils". Mohammed: A Witness for True Islam", "Muhammad Ali: Five things you never knew about the boxing legend", "Muhammad Ali: America's First Muslim Hero", "Family, faith and magic tricks: My 40-year my mum called me bombaclart Ali", "Muhammad Ali: Why the boxing legend converted to Islam and refused to serve in the Vietnam War", "Muhammad Ali's Conversion to Islam Changed the World", "Muhammad Ali: Unapologetically Black, Unapologetically Muslim", "Timothy Gianotti The Imam whose on Muhammad Ali's last days and funeral", "Prof. Gianotti plans Muhammad Ali's funeral and memorial service", The Rumble in the Jungle (Foreman vs. Ali), The Adventures of Ali and His Gang vs. Mr. Tooth Decay, I Am the Greatest: The Adventures of Muhammad Ali, Ferdie Pacheco (personal physician, cornerman), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Religious_views_of_Muhammad_Ali&oldid=1142153372, Wikipedia introduction cleanup from June 2020, Articles covered by WikiProject Wikify from June 2020, All articles covered by WikiProject Wikify, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 20:18. Ali died on June 3, 2016, in Scottsdale, Arizona, after being hospitalized for what was reportedly a respiratory issue. By age 18 Clay had captured two national Golden Gloves titles, two Amateur Athletic Union national titles and 100 victories against eight losses. Following his loss to Frazier, Ali won 10 fights in a row, 8 of them against world-class opponents. Name: Muhammad Ali (Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.) Profession: Activist and Professional Boxer. He continued training, formed amateur boxing leagues, and fought whomever he could in local gyms. At the age of 12, Clay discovered his talent for boxing through an odd twist of fate. The Relationship of Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X, The Story Behind the Famous Ali-Liston Photo, 10 Things You Might Not Know About Jimmy Butler, Relationship With Malcolm X and Conversion to Islam, Vietnam War Protest and Supreme Court Case, Wives, Children, and Family Boxing Legacy, https://www.biography.com/about/a43602329/about-us, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. While the first two are true the third certainly isnt. This story is over 5 years old. She was also known as Sonji Clay. And it made sense. Then, Muhammad Ali was named Cassius Marcellus Clay, and until her divorce, Sonji was addressed as Sonji Clay. Often referring to himself as The Greatest, Ali was not afraid to sing his own praises. Surprisingly, his allegiances were with supreme leader Elijah Muhammad and not the exiled Malcolm X. Ali and Malcolms friendship quickly fractured, and the two went their separate ways by that spring. Ali was a member of the inaugural class of the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990, and in 2005 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He was also known for his public stance against the Vietnam War. [27][28] According to Ali's biographer and friend Davis Miller: Sufis believe that to purposely harm any person is to harm all of humanity, to harm each of us and to damage the world. Wallace would go on to change the name of the Nation of Islam to, initially the World Community of al-Islam in the West, and later to the American Muslim Mission. The most notable of these bouts occurred on October 1, 1975, when Ali and Joe Frazier met in the Philippines, 6 miles (9.5 km) outside Manila, to do battle for the third time. Praise be to Allah. Corrections? To meet the team, visit our About Us page: https://www.biography.com/about/a43602329/about-us. At 6 feet, 3 inches tall, Clay was an imposing figure in the ring, but he also became known for his lightning speed and fancy footwork. Unable to compete professionally in the meantime, Ali missed more than three prime years of his athletic career. Then, on March 31, 1973, a little-known fighter named Ken Norton broke Alis jaw in the second round en route to a 12-round upset decision. The same day, he had an interview scheduled with Readers Digest conducted by Howard Bingham, his former public relations manager. He continued to attend meetings, although keeping his involvement hidden from the public. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Muhammad-Ali-boxer, Hollywood Walk of Fame - Biography of Muhammad Ali, International Boxing Hall of Fame - Biography of Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Ali - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Muhammad Ali - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), Sonny Liston and Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali). He also spoke out against the Islamic extremists who carried out the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Boyd and Ali divorced in 1976. Video related to muhammad alis religion: 5 fast facts you need to know, NBC News Muhammad Ali on not going to war, according to the International Sufi Movement. He was their first and only son. [28] He was a descendant of slaves of the antebellum South, and was predominantly of African descent, with Irish [29] and English family heritage. 7. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. Clay went on to win the 1956 Golden Gloves tournament for novices in the light heavyweight class. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. He refused to serve in the Vietnam War, referring to himself as a conscientious objector, and was arrested. All of them have grown up currently and are focused on their own lives. He played collegiately at the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas before becoming an amateur mixed martial artist. Even after Ali converted to Islam, he still held onto his belief in God, just by another name, like his mother taught him. Muhammad Ali, who died Friday at the age of 74, was a religious man. Camacho-Ali asked Muhammad to write the letter after she confronted him about his extramarital dalliances. HISTORY.com works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. Banned from boxing for three years, Ali spoke out against the Vietnam War on college campuses. It was a blessing to be a part of that journey.. He also was the subject of the docuseries Whats My Name (2019) and Muhammad Ali (2021), the latter of which was codirected by Ken Burns. Reigning from 656 to 661, he was the first imam (leader) of . Youve got to check yourself. He won his first eight professional fights, according to database BoxRec. The end of his friendship with Malcolm because one of Alis greatest regrets in life, wrote Randy Roberts, the co-author of Blood Brothers: The Fatal Friendship Between Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X. Now there is another version of Alis story, which is arguably the most definitive of the bunch, appearing first in TIME. Yakub was eventually ejected from paradise, together with 59,999 of his inventions,[c] who went on to eventually subjugate the blacks. Muhammad Ali was a member of the inaugural class of the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990, and in 2005 he was awarded thePresidential Medal of Freedom. On April 28, 1967, the day of his scheduled induction, Ali refused to step forward when his name was called despite penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. There are consequences when you commit adultery., Eig says he paid Camacho-Ali $600 for the letter. The champs memorial service was held at the KFC Yum Center arena with close to 20,000 people in attendance. Ali won his next 10 bouts before being defeated by Ken Norton (1943-). The next year, his friend Sam Saxon introduced him to Malcolm X. Ali and Malcolm X became good friends and Malcolm was ringside when Ali defeated Sonny Liston in 1964 to become the world heavyweight champion. A follower of the Nation of Islam, he was allocated the name Muhammad Ali by Elijah Muhammad, the movement's leader. Born Cassius Clay Jr., Ali changed his name in 1964 after joining the Nation of Islam. At a press conference the next morning, Clay, who had been seen around Miami with controversial Nation of Islam member Malcolm X (1925-1965), confirmed the rumors of his conversion to Islam. Alis place in boxing history as one of the greatest fighters ever is secure. The pretty woman walked into the Ringside Cafe in Louisville, Ky., and approached the three-time heavyweight boxing champion, who led her to a quiet corner. He continued to attend meetings, although keeping his involvement hidden from the public. Following the win, the two held an evening of reflection in a hotel room with Jim Brown and Sam Cooke that became the inspiration for the One Night in Miami stage play and 2020 drama film. "Ali did more to normalize Islam in this country than perhaps any other Muslim in the history of the United States," Sherman Jackson, the Muslim scholar . You have reached your limit of free articles. After losing his title to Leon Spinks on February 15, 1978, Ali defeated him months later in a rematch on September 15. Tatyana Ali is a native of New York and was born on the 24th of January 1979 in North Bellmore. After suffering a loss to Ken Norton, Ali beat Frazier in a rematch on January 28, 1974. I will pray to Jesus, sir, Jesus. And I liked that cartoon. And the cartoon was about the first slaves that arrived in America, and the cartoon was showing how the black slaves were slipping off at the plantation to pray in the Arabic language facing the east. He made a statement saying: Islam is a religion of peace. Ali and Lonnie had one son together, Asaad, and remained married until Alis death. Pallbearers included Will Smith, who once portrayed Ali on film, and former heavyweight champions Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis. Other boxing commissions did the same, and Ali didnt fight again until 1970. As public attitudes turned against the war, support for Ali grew. On March 8, 1971, Ali got his chance to regain his heavyweight crown against reigning champ Joe Frazier (1944-2011) in what was billed as the Fight of the Century. The undefeated Frazier floored Ali with a hard left hook in the final round. Elijah Muhammad typically gave "completed" Islamic holy names only to longstanding members of the Nation, who had been with the organization for decades, as a mark of honor. Muhammad Jr. has a wife named Shaakira and they are both parents to Amerra and Shakira. "After a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. By 2005, Ali had become more spiritual than religious, his daughter Hana Yasmeen Ali told Beliefnet. For the next three years, Ali dominated boxing as thoroughly and magnificently as any fighter ever had. "[6][7][8][a], In an interview with George Plimpton, given shortly before his rematch with Liston,[10] Ali expounded on the ontological teachings of Elijah Muhammad and Elijah's instructor Wallace Fard Muhammad. Alis description of the cartoon matches a strip printed in the December 1961 edition of Muhammad Speaks, below. Ali married his second wife, 17-year-old Belinda Boyd, in 1967. Updated: September 12, 2018 | Original: December 16, 2009. He then knocked out Sonny Liston on February 25, 1964, to become the heavyweight champion of the world. Ali was stripped of his championship and precluded from fighting by every state athletic commission in the United States for three and a half years. Cassius Marcellus Clay (November 11, 1912 - February 8, 1990) was an American painter and musician. Muhammad Ali received guidance from Sunni-Sufi Islamic scholars such as Grand Mufti of Syria Almarhum Asy-Syaikh Ahmed Kuftaro, Shaykh Hisham Kabbani, Imam Zaid Shakir, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, and Dr. Timothy J. Gianotti, who was at Ali's bedside during his last days and ensured that his funeral was in accordance with Islamic rites and rituals.[29][30]. Influence on Muhammad Ali Through her strong Christian belief, Clay had a great influence on the life and spiritual upbringing of both of her sons. CHILDREN: Maryum, Jamillah, Rasheda, Muhammad Jr., Miya, Khaliah, Hana, Laila Ali, and Asaad ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Capricorn Early Life Muhammad Ali was born on January 17, 1942, in Louisville,. "It. Rashedas son Nico Walsh Ali became a boxer like his grandfather and aunt. Muhammad Ali, then Cassius Clay, lands a punch during a 1963 bout against Doug Jones. There was more good than bad. Bingham asked Ali his reaction to the attacks: Killing like that can never be justified. Uncle-in-law of Curtis Conway. [15][16] Eventually, a schism emerged amongst the followers of Elijah, between a faction loyal to Wallace, and another loyal to Louis Farrakhan. I liked that cartoon, Ali wrote. They never called me nigger, they never lynched me, they didnt put no dogs on me, they didnt rob me of my nationality, rape and kill my mother and father. Muhammad indicated that when the end came for him, he wanted us to use his life and his death as a teaching moment for young people, for his country, and for the world, Lonnie said. The restaurant's owner . They are racist fanatics who call themselves Muslims, permitting this murder of thousands. A few years before his death, Ali underwent surgery for spinal stenosis, a condition causing the narrowing of the spine, which limited his mobility and ability to communicate. Its unbelievable. He converted to two other sects within the Muslim religion over the course of his life. After winning his first three bouts, Clay defeated Zbigniew Pietrzkowski of Poland to win the light heavyweight Olympic gold medal. Laila Ali and Muhammad Ali pose for a photo after Laila won the Super Middleweight title in June 2005. At the same time Ali was married to Boyd, he traveled openly with Veronica Porche, who became his third wife in 1977. Ali said at the time (via Vice): Well I figured they would pressure me if I revealed it so I kept it quiet for about three years. Nico Ali Walsh Wiki :- As per the sources, Nico Walsh belongs to a mixed ethnical background. Marital Status: Married. I wanted a place that would inspire people to be the best that they could be at whatever they chose to do, and to encourage them to be respectful of one another.. A few months later, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned his conviction in June 1971, allowing Ali to fight on a regular basis. The bout (which Ali referred to as the Rumble in the Jungle) took place in the unlikely location of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). ALI'S PARENTS VISITED REGULARLY, HELPING IN THE KITCHEN . He married Odessa Lee O'Grady in 1934 and worked as a painter. Ali grew up at 3302 Grand Avenue in Louisville's West End and was introduced to boxing at a young age by a city policeman after the boy's bicycle was stolen. The fighter kept his affiliation with the NOI a secret for three years, but revealed his membership soon after his match with Liston. His final record of 56 wins and 5 losses with 37 knockouts has been matched by others, but the quality of his opponents and his overwhelming success during his prime placed him among boxings immortals. June 4, 2016. Clay infuriated devotees of the sport as much as he impressed them. The outpouring of goodwill that accompanied his appearance confirmed his status as one of the most-beloved athletes in the world. But in one of the most stunning upsets in sports history, Liston retired to his corner after six rounds, and Clay became the new champion. [31] At the weigh-in before the first Ali-Liston fight, Ali had shouted: "It is prophesied that I should win! Few people have heard about the profound ways Ali's faith has evolved over the years. In 1984 Ali spoke out publicly against the separatist doctrine of Louis Farrakhan, declaring, What he teaches is not at all what we believe in. Born: January 17th, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. Porch and Ali divorced in 1986. He baited Foreman into throwing wild punches with his rope-a-dope technique, before stunning his opponent with an eighth-round knockout to reclaim the heavyweight title. Ali has Irish roots. After six hundred years of working in a laboratory, Yakub created the white race. The October 30, 1974, fight in Kinshasa, Zaire, was dubbed the Rumble in the Jungle. Ali, the decided underdog, employed his rope-a-dope strategy, leaning on the ring ropes and absorbing a barrage of blows from Foreman while waiting for his opponent to tire. His first book. Directed by Leon Gast, the film won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Following one final loss in 1981, to Trevor Berbick, the boxing great retired from the sport at age 39. Muhammad Ali Jr is the first son born to Muhammad Ali by his second wife Khalilah Camacho Ali. (Getty). Khan was an Indian-born musician and Sufi master who lived from 1882 to 1927, according to the International Sufi Movement. The decision enraged his critics his hometown newspaper continued to refer to Ali by his birth name, Cassius Clay, for years to come and led him to refuse to serve in Vietnam, a stand that cost him his title, his livelihood and, ultimately, cemented his status as an American iconoclast. After announcing his retirement in 1979, Ali launched a brief, unsuccessful comeback. Boyd and Ali had four children together: Maryum, born in 1969; Jamillah and Rasheda, both born in 1970; and Muhammad Ali Jr., born in 1972. Subsequently, he encouraged all mosques affiliated with his organization to "be independent under the leadership of the Muslim American Society, or the Ministry of W. Deen Mohammed. It was in this fight that Ali employed a strategy once used by former boxing great Archie Moore. Martin, who was also a boxing trainer, suggested that the upset youngster first learn how to fight, and he took Clay under his wing. Hes not suffering anymore. Articles with the HISTORY.com Editors byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including Amanda Onion, Missy Sullivan and Matt Mullen. Muhammad Ali was a piece of shit terrible person. In 1996, he lit the Olympic cauldron at the Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, an emotional moment in sports history. Ali defeated Norton in a rematch. I am an ordinary man who worked hard to develop the talent I was given, he said. Muhammad Ali was initially raised as a Baptist[1] before entering Islam. And he was on hand to celebrate the inauguration of the first Black president in January 2009, when Barack Obama was sworn into office. Well, you better learn how to fight before you start challenging people, Martin reportedly told him at the time. I sneaked into meetings, sneak in the back door, look around for the police officer, pass me in, before going in. Since then, he has authored some 50 books on subjects ranging from professional boxing to Beethoven. As memories are shared of Ali, the world can examine the relevance of Islam in the Black struggle. According to Plimpton the "bright light darting in the sky", seen by Ali and Jones, was probably either Venus or Jupiter. Ive changed my religion and some of my beliefs since then, but her God is still God; I just call him by a different name. Uncle of Laila Ali, and Hana Ali. Odessa Clay (Ali's mum) was a Baptist, and Cassius Clay SNR (Ali's dad) was a Methodist. Biography. Although he arrived in Miami Beach, Florida, a 7-1 underdog, the 22-year-old Clay relentlessly taunted Liston before the fight, promising to float like a butterfly, sting like a bee and predicting a knockout. However, Fraziers trainer threw in the towel after the 14th round, giving the hard-fought victory to Ali. In 2011, he asked Iran to release the U.S. hikers captured. Muhammad Ali, original name Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr., (born January 17, 1942, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.died June 3, 2016, Scottsdale, Arizona), American professional boxer and social activist. In all likelihood, Alis interest in the Nation Of Islam grew over time and repeated exposures, Eig says. Not only did his association with Ali bring. Ali successfully defended his title in 10 fights, including the memorable Thrilla in Manila on October 1, 1975, in which his bitter rival Frazier, his eyes swollen shut, was unable to answer the bell for the final round. When Clay was 12 years old, he took up boxing under the tutelage of Louisville policeman Joe Martin. A black brother dressed in a black Mohair suit, [with a] white shirt and a black bowtie, was [selling] some newspapers called Muhammad Speaks. A man who can hit a small stationary ball more sweetly than any other is assumed to have similarly transcendent character. Following his suspension for refusing military service in the Vietnam War, Ali reclaimed the heavyweight title two more times during the 1970s, winning famed bouts against Joe Frazier and George Foreman along the way. And that sounded right to me so I followed Wallace, but not everyone in the Nation felt that way. [13], In interviews for his 1991 biography Muhammad Ali: His Life and Times, and his 1998 biography King of the World, Ali clarified that he no longer believed in the existence of the space platform or in Yakub anymore. One night at a skating rink in Louisville (I was on my way home), the skating rink was located at 9th and Broadway St., while I was standing outside the building in a crowd of about 400 people, all black people, like most boys [I was looking] for a pretty girl to say something to. The three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer died this evening," Bob Gunnell . In 1966, the U.S. Army revised its 1-A classification, which made Ali qualified for the draft. One of her most notable works is her 2018 personal biography, At Home with Muhammad Ali, where she detailed the ups and downs of her father from the eyes of a daughter. Muhammad Ali Jr. (son with Khalilah Ali) Year of Birth: 1972 He is the fourth child to the great star and also the only biological son born to Ali. After his bike was stolen, Clay told police officer Joe Martin that he wanted to beat up the thief. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The boxer eventually converted to orthodox Islam during the 1970s. Clay attended mostly Black public schools, including Central High School in Louisville from 1956 to 1960. Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. In an excerpt from the Ali biography, Muhammad Ali: His Life and Times, the boxer is quoted as saying: My mother is a Baptist, and when I was growing up, she taught me all she knew about God. I told him OK, I will be there. Muhammad Ali later said, "My mother is a Baptist, and when I was growing up, she taught me all she knew about God. He claimed that as a minister of the Black Muslim religion he was not obligated to serve . I could never support hurting innocent men, women and children. Son of Odessa Clay Older brother of Muhammad Ali. . In his interview with Plimpton, Ali stated that Wallace Fard had prophesied that the holocaust would arrive in 1970, leveling everything, and leaving only 154,000 black survivors to "get things going again.". Malcolm X is credited with playing a critical role in the evolution of Ali's religious views by steering him towards the Nation of Islam. He was called Ibn al-Hanafiyya after his mother, Khawla bint Ja'far; she was known as Hanafiyya, "the Hanafi woman", after her tribe Banu Hanifa.After the death of Muhammad, the people of Yamama were declared apostates by the Muslims for . Finally granted a license to fight in 1970 in Georgia, which did not have a statewide athletic commission, Ali returned to the ring at Atlantas City Auditorium on October 26 with a win over Jerry Quarry. He was born in Louisville, Kentucky on January 17, 1942. A Look At Tatyana Ali's Multi-Ethnic and Multi-Religious Background. From a boxing perspective, it is speculated that Malcolm X may have contributed to enhancing the probability of Ali winning his first bout with Liston, by instilling into Ali the belief that he was invincible, and that it was destined that he would win. But this is the only time we know of that he wrote the story of his indoctrination in his own words. She taught us to love people and treat everybody with kindness. The brother walked up to me and said, my brother, do you want to buy a Muhammad Speaks newspaper, so that you can read about your own kind, read the real truth of your history, your true religion, your true name before you were [given] the White Mans name in slavery? He said, oh, by the way there is a meeting that we are having today on 27th and Chestnut St. at 8 oclock this evening.