Introduction
Alhamdulillah… unbounded praise and thanks are due to the Almighty Allah, who preserves the rewards of good-doers for the best of times and days. Complete blessings and salutations go to our master of all time, the most righteous servant of Allah, Sayyidinā Muhammad, his household, his companions, and all those who follow his guided path till the end of time.
You’ve probably heard of, read or watched about Ali Banat. Yes, the Australian young millionaire, whose transformation continues to serve as a great inspiration for many around the world. This article reflects on the emotional reactions many of us made before and after the passing of Ali Banat, and then guides on how to manage our vows when we encounter such emotional stories. Moreover, it discusses some of the lessons we should learn and must put in to practice.
The article is by no means an assessment on Ali Banat, nor is it intending to judge the late brother in anyway. Following is the flow of discussion of the article:
- Who Ali Banat?
- Ali Banat Before the Gift
- Ali Banat; Gifted with Cancer
- Ali Banat; The Inspiration
- Ali Banat; The Lesson We Didn’t Learn
- Is It Too Late to Learn the Lesson?
- Conclusion
To start, who is Ali Banat?
Who Ali Banat?
Let’s start from where Ali Banat left us.
Ali Banat is one of the people whom Allah has given the chance to die as Muslims. In fact, images of his final moments show him raising his index finger to the heaven, indicating tawhīd and also gesturing; asking those around him to pray for him. He couldn’t talk, but was able to signal and raise his hands to request for du’a from the audience.
Also, Ali Banat is one of the few Muslims who was mourned by thousands, if not millions, around the globe. From all walks of life, friends, fans and others who have encounters with the man used the various social media platforms to flood the cyberspace with tributes in different languages. This happened when the Internet sphere was hit with the shocking news of the passing of Ali Banat in May 2018 during the fasting month of Ramadan. (see this, this and this among others.)
Ali Banat was an Australian Muslim brother, who died at the young age of 32. Masha Allah, he emerged as a wealthy, a millionaire who had reportedly made his wealth from a security and electrical company. This enabled him to experience a lavish lifestyle at some point of time in his life.
In 2015, at the age of 29, Ali Banat was diagnosed with a stage 4 cancer, and doctors predicted only seven months for him to live. But he lived an ‘extended’ period of three years after that. The moment of his knowledge about his cancer marked the turning point in Ali Banat’s life. The transformation of the man’s life is discussed in the next two sections. But, first, let’s give this a watch.
Ali Banat Before the Gift
As a young man with extreme wealth, Ali Banat admitted to had led a lavish lifestyle. Think of someone whose bracelet costs $60,000. Think of someone who’s obsessed with the luxurious Louis Vuitton brand. The price of a pair in his footwears’ collection (including sandals) ranged between $700 and $1300. His sunglasses easily cost thousands of dollars. You can guess how much his watches and head gears could cost, let alone his sports cars, one of which (Ferrari Spider) costs $600K, and other possessions; you name it, and he’s got it. In short, he led a lifestyle that any extraordinary wealthy young man would lead.
Life had been smooth and good, until Ali Banat was diagnosed with cancer. Sadly, the diagnose took place when the cancer cells had already spread all over the young man’s body… Perhaps, that explains why Ali could rightly describe it as a gift of cancer.
Ali Banat; Gifted with Cancer
One day, in 2015, a doctor, possibly in a white jacket, affectionately broke what Ali saw later on as a “good news” to Ali. He had a stage 4 cancer.
Ali used “gifted with cancer” to describe himself and his condition ever since. No doubt, this perception has contributed in the positive transformation that took place in the life of Ali.
As many would have chosen to see it to be detrimental, curse, punishment and whatnot, Ali Banat saw it as a Fate and Destiny, and therefore called it a gift, and hence, treated it as such. I do agree with him. For as long as your pains is not a punishment from God, then it’s a gift to cherish.
The sweet smiles on Ali’s face was usually brightened with the light of the tears that rolled down on his cheeks. Many thought he was crying due to the pain. But Ali reassured his interviewers and viewers, that despite the pains, those tears were for the regret of his not taking heed to the words and advices of his Creator during the good times.
He emphasized, that he could have been closer to Allah much earlier. But the realization arrived to him late, only when, possibly, a non-Muslim (doctor) came to tell him that he was going to die; very soon.
Whether you look at it from the perspective of positive thinking, or you see it as an inspiration from God for him to look at it positively, Ali Banat was lucky to had handled his cancer positively, and to had took the necessary decisions and actions to attain Allah’s pleasure despite the pains. At this point, Ali was set to be one of the greatest inspirations of our time.
Ali Banat; The Inspiration!
Since Ali Banat was diagnosed with cancer, he decided to change the direction of his life. He made one of the most difficult decisions, that one can make. He devoted the remainder of his life and his entire wealth for the cause of Allah. Thus, Ali sold his company and liquidated it through a charity organization he started under the name Muslims Around The World (MATW) Project.
For the continuity of the MATW Project, Ali succeeded in securing donations from around the world to help expand the continuous charity he has devoted the remaining of his life to achieve.
Through the MATW Project, Ali Banat emerged as one of the most inspiring sensations on the Internet. At least, some have sent in their contributions in forms to donations to support the good cause he has initiated. Some others have helped share his story, many with emotional captions. This is the MATW Project’s website. You can find them here on Facebook, and here on Instagram. Don’t forget to support this continuous charity, for it will be part of your good legacy when you’re no more.
Inspirations usually get people of their comfort zone to aim high and achieve the impossible for the good worldly life and the next. Ali’s transformation was one of such, thus, many have learnt a lot of lessons from his story. However, there remains a lesson or two we have yet to learn.
Ali Banat; The Lesson We Didn’t Learn
Ali Banat’s story surfaced on the Internet, after Shaykh Mohamed Hoblos conducted an interview with the ailing young millionaire. Millions around the world have watched Ali Banat ever since, many others followed the progress of his condition until his final moments.
As a good opportunity and a smart move, Ali seized every single opportunity to advice and guide his friends, sympathizers, empathizers, fans, and followers.
Once upon a time in the life of the Prophet, ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam, The Prophet was doing fundraising, and the companions started to compete in offering their contributions. Some of the companions donated with a quarter of their entire wealth, some with half, and another with his entire wealth. This happened when none of them was given a “good news” of a “gift of cancer,” nor was any of them given a predicted period of seven months to live. Rather it was when each of them was supposed to be enjoying the goodness of life with wealth.
Ali Banat’s pledge of his wealth in charity was a good thing, that is praiseworthy. However, better than that is to give (not necessarily all of one’s wealth, but some at least) in donations and charity when you’re in good health, and when your wealth is more pleasing to your eyes. Better than that is to give (not necessarily all of one’s wealth, but some at least) in donations and charity when you’re more hopeful to live the next 100 years.
Furthermore, one of Banat’s biggest regret, as testified by Shaykh Hoblos, was that it took a man in a suit and tie to tell him he’s going to die before he believed he was going to die. Whereby Allah has been telling him all his life that he’ll die, but he didn’t believe.
(Watch from 2.25)
We believed the words of Ali. But our attitudes evident that we don’t believe in the truth those words imply. Our actions, perhaps, continue to imply the denial that we’re going to die. To make sense of or reject these claims, one may reflect and ask himself the following: What has changed in our lifestyle? What has changed in our worldview? What has changed in our social interactions? Have we taken heed from Ali’ regret (or experience)? Really? Have we learnt anything at all? Really?
Among others, Banat did advise his fellow Muslim brethren around the world to set goals in their lives. This came after he had set his own goals, and started his MATW Project. Through the MATW Project, Ali succeeded in raising funds from around the world and has set up schools, community hospitals, mosques and built wells, to help enhance the livelihood of many poor people in Bangladesh, Lebanon, Togo, and elsewhere.
After seeing Ali Banat’s powerful video, in his final moments, and having emotionally reacted to the scenes of the video, how many of us have set goals that transform their lives for good?
Imām al-Bukhārī reports from the narration to Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar, raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhumā, that Rasūlullāh ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:
كُنْ فِي الدُّنْيَا كَأَنَّكَ غَرِيبٌ، أَوْ عَابِرُ سَبِيلٍ
“Be in the world like a stranger or a wayfarer.”
I believe that Ali came to the true realization of the implication of this ḥadīth, after his Ferrari became worthless to him. Therefore, he diverted his focus from material accumulation to spiritual growth.
Also, after discovering his gift of cancer, Ali devoted his entire wealth for the cause of Allah. Videos of works of the organization started by Ali evident to that. Millions have shared the videos of Ali. The Internet run out of teary emoticons as a result. But…. how many have devoted, not their entire life, but some of their lives for the cause of Islam, after watching Ali Banat?
After seeing Banat, how many Muslims have stopped killing his or her brethren, physically and morally? How much has changed in of our perspectives towards this life on earth and life in the next?
Is It Too Late to Learn the Lesson?
While watching and reading about Ali Banat, it’s important to understand that the man didn’t plan his ending the way it happened. Had it been planned, he must has passed on seven months after he was diagnosed with cancer, as per doctors’ prediction.
Also, Ali Banat didn’t plan for his ‘gifted cancer’ nor did he plan for the viral attention and reactions, du’as, sympathy, empathy and love he got from around the world. Had it been planned, it wouldn’t have been successful.
But one thing we can comfortably assume is that Ali Banat had a kind, clean and beautiful heart and soul. This means every human being is bound to err and sin in his life. But with a kind, pure and beautiful heart, the likelihood of his being given the chance to repent is high. Ali Banat’s life is a good example. With that, even if one dies a sudden death, we can hope for Allah’s mercy for him.
The lesson here could be for every Muslim, who might have come across Ali Banat’s story, to review his mission in life, set his goals clearly, and then work towards achieving them the way that pleases Allah.
The point is, one may plan to devote all his wealth for a given cause when he dies. But he can’t guarantee the success of the plan. Therefore, we shouldn’t think of, “I’m going to wait until the last minute before I donate with whatever I have.” Most of the time, death comes unplanned and without warning.
Here, I’m not calling you to donate with your entire wealth. In fact, I can understand it if you still aren’t convinced with the importance of charity. But what I want to emphasize is to take heed of Allah’s reminder for us; that each and every one of us is dying soon. It’s this, that will determine your lifestyle, your relations, your interactions, your motivations and eventually your journey back to the Creator.
The lucky ones are tested with sickness and then given the opportunity to do some adjustments, arrangements and some preparations before they pass on. Even with that, not many, despite being warned with sickness, seize the opportunity. The unlucky ones take the moment for granted, and by the time they realize, sudden death strikes.
Conclusion
Ali Banat’s story has served and may continue, for a long time to come, to serve as an inspiration for many. Personally, I believe that Ali Banat’s story falls under those Allah mentions in 23rd verse of Surah Fāṭir:
مِّنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ رِجَالٌ صَدَقُوا مَا عَاهَدُوا اللَّهَ عَلَيْهِ، فَمِنْهُم مَّن قَضَىٰ نَحْبَهُ وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَنتَظِرُ، وَمَا بَدَّلُوا تَبْدِيلاً
“Among the believers are men who are true to that which they promised Allah. Some of them have paid their oath by death, and some of them still are waiting; and they have not altered in the least.”
In other words, although Ali pledged his wealth for charity, only after he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, the decision to donate with one’s wealth requires a strong faith and a deep trust in the promise of Allah. Some people have been in a similar situation like Ali’s, but still failed to accept the true religion, let alone pledging their wealth for charity.
If you have read to this point, then, I think it’s a good idea to request that you show some support for the MATW Project which Ali Banat started. You can support it by donating to the project. You can support it by sharing their website, FB Page or IG Account. In fact, you can support it by sharing this article. One alternative way you can support it, is to take heed of the advices given by Ali Banat in most of his videos.
May Ali Banat be granted a place among the high rankers of the dwellers of Paradise. May we learn good lessons from the life of Ali. May we be granted good ending. Amin!
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Allah knows best.
Allahu Hafiz 🙂
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