# Seeds of Greatness: Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali

**Author:** Yaqeen Institute
**Series:** Lecture
**Published:** 2018-06-03
**YouTube:** https://youtu.be/l1oixrCV9FU
**URL:** https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/lecture/seeds-of-greatness-malcolm-x-and-muhammad-ali
**Topics:** History, Islam in the West

## Description
On the second anniversary of Muhammad Ali’s passing, we look back at our Seeds of Greatness event that took place last December. Here is how we plan to extend his legacy, as well as Malcolm’s.

## Transcript
**[0:01]** See, everybody was born for purpose. Everything you can think of was put here for purpose. And most surely, human beings have a purpose too. And the wise man is he who knows his life purpose.

**[0:17]** But we know of Ali outside of the ring, using his platform to speak for those who have no voice. When one man of popularity can let the world know the problem, he might lose a few dollars himself telling the truth, might lose his life.

**[0:32]** But he's helping millions. Ali continued to defy systems and structures to assert his God-given truth and the beauty of his people. In the face of Islamophobic rhetoric sweeping across America and dominating headlines during the current presidential campaign,

**[0:48]** Ali stated, we as Muslims have to stand up to those who use Islam to advance their own personal agenda. I believe that our political leaders should use their position to bring understanding about the religion of Islam

**[1:03]** and clarify that these misguided murderers have perverted people's views on what Islam really is. Throughout his monumental life, Ali fully embraced his chosen name, Muhammad, meaning one worthiest praise.

**[1:22]** He was so great and beyond definition that ultimately Ali had to define himself. So when you see Colin Kaepernick, it goes all the way back to Muhammad Ali recognizing when you are blessed with a platform, it's not about you, it's about what you do to be a blessing to those who don't have that platform.

**[1:42]** To dismiss Malcolm is to dismiss his love for the black community here in America. To dismiss Malcolm is to dismiss his work in engaging in good conflict to move America forward. And to dismiss Malcolm is to dismiss one of the iconic Muslims in the 20th century that helped move Islam forward.

**[2:05]** We need an action program while we are Muslim, while we are Christian, while we are whatever we are. We still need an action program that will eliminate these evils that are in our community.

**[2:41]** So we should all follow in the footsteps of Malcolm and Muhammad Ali in engaging in good conflict. But what they knew is that somewhere deep inside of them that there was something greater indeed.

**[3:04]** And instead of despite their charisma, their capacities to convey, they were actually humbled by the almighty. And he told me once you have real faith in Allah, you could fear nothing, no man, no power structure, or system or even institution.

**[3:30]** It makes you fearless. Once you obtain true knowledge of self, you don't have any problems with publicly proclaiming your allegiance to Islam. As I am a Muslim first and a boxer second.

**[3:50]** To a world cruel to Africa and to the African diaspora, a world that sought to trample both underfoot, Ali declared, I shook up the world. And Malcolm looked at his younger brother who was hungry while Malcolm received some food.

**[4:07]** Gleaned the lesson, his brother was quiet and went hungry. He made noise and got fed in this life. If you're going to get fed, you better make some noise. And so I hope and pray that we as communities of faith in this day will recognize our responsibility to make some noise on behalf of those who do not have on behalf of those who are victimized by greed and injustice.

**[4:38]** I think it's time to make some noise. There is an ache, but that ache is not without a garden. What I got before he left are the seeds in that garden.

**[5:04]** You think I'm standing up here because I'm extending the legacy of Muhammad Ali. May Allah have mercy on us all. But really, the reality is that it's his leg, his legacy. And that's what it gives me. I'm not giving anything to his legacy. His legacy gave to me.

**[5:27]** Tonight, it is my honor to announce a new scholarship fund that we are launching in the name of Al-Hajj Malik al-Shabazz, Malcolm X, which has been reviewed by his daughter, Ambassador Atallah Shabazz.

**[5:44]** And that scholarship is the Al-Hajj Malik al-Shabazz Vanguards of Social Justice. I'm very proud to, from this point on henceforth, to be a partnering steward in this effort.

**[6:02]** We want to find the future Malcolms in our midst because we know that they exist. You're Ali. We're all Ali when we're at our best.

**[6:18]** That seed is now in bloom. So we talk about greatness. It's not with vanity. It is reaching towards the light that which God, the Almighty, has shown down upon you or around you.

**[6:33]** I have to close with something my father used to say. He said, ignorance of one another is what has made unity impossible in the past. Therefore, we need enlightenment about one another.

**[6:52]** For light creates understanding. Understanding creates love. Love creates patience. And patience creates unity. And at no point when you reach that bridge, do you have to feel as if you're less of who you were in the beginning.

**[7:13]** You just add it all. The Greatest Showman

**[7:28]** Who are you most grateful to for your career? My career, everything. Allah.

**[7:44]** All my success, all my protection, all my failures, all my victories, all my courage, everything comes from Allah.

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