Comments on Messenger’s Dismissal of Cassius Clay

Muhammad Speaks Newspaper
P.O Box 44261
Detroit, MI 48244
Phone: 313-371-7033
E-mail: webmaster@muhammadspeaks.com

Reprinted from the April 25, 1969 edition of Muhammad Speaks Newspaper

from “Islam Nation” Ranks

By Abdul Bassit Naeem

The news of Mr. Muhammad Ali’s temporary explusion (for a period of one
year) from the U.S. “NATION OF ISLAM” first reached me as I was perusing
an exceedingly interesting and quite favorable story on the
“unconquerable Muslim champ” and his family in the April 1969 issue of
EBONY magazine.

NEEDLESS TO SAY, the word of his disbarment from the august Muslim
movement headed by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad left me at once
bewildered and distressed. I even cried out aloud, “I hope it isn’t
true!” Presently, however the newest number of MUHAMMAD SPEAKS arrived
and promptly convinced me that what my ears had heard was indeed no idle
gossip or a “devil’s fabrication.”

“Brother Muhammad Ali had the makings of a worthy son of Islam, He was
such an enthusiatic proponent of our righteous ideology (Islam),” I
remember saying to myself then, reviewing once more the EBONY feature
mentioned above.

“It’s a shame he couldn’t be satisfied with the numberous blessings ALLAH
had bestowed upon him: a Muslim minister’s rank; a beauteous Muslim-born
wife; a recently-arrived bundle of joy (infant daughter Maryum); true and
sincere appreciation in the hearts of millions of Muslims throughout Asia
and Africa; steady, modest income from several sources independent of
ringside performances…”

(REVELANT TO THE last-named item, I would like to quote here a few brief
excerpts from the EBONY essay, authored by Mr. Hans J. Massaquoi:

“…Ali may yet wind up a multi-millionaire without laying another glove
on an opponent’s jaw…

“Ali, who received six percent of the million-dollar Chamburger
Corporation’s stock (later sold publically at $5 a share) for lending his
well-known, if somewhat controversial ‘name and image’ to the venture,
will receive royalties of one per cent of the firm’s annual net sales…

“WHILE ALI is waiting for his Champburger ‘eggs’ to hatch, the bulk of
his income derives from his lectures before Black, white and integrated
students groups. Last year, for an average of $1,000 honorarium,
‘Prof.’ Ali lectured on 30 campuses, including Princeton, Rutgers, MIT,
Howard, UCLA and Notre Dame…

“Another source of revenue for Ali are public appearances on a variety of
major TV shows (Johnny Carson, Merv Griffin, etc.) and exclusive
interviews with representatives of foreign press. Recently he picked up a
quick $10,000 for participating in the filming of a staged bout with
retired champion Rocky Marciano in which a computer is to determine the
winner after the film has been edited…”)

I also realized, of course, that the NATION OF ISLAM chief’s (i.e.,
Honorable Elijah Muhamamd’s) decision in the matter was final and
irrevocable: “…Muhammad Ali has stepped down off the spiritual platform
of Islam…(He) intends to return to the boxing ring…(This) puts us out
of the corner of Mr. Muhammad Ali…We, the Muslims are not with Mr.
Muhammad Ali in his desire to work in the sports world for the sake of a
“Lettle’ money…”

THE DECREE AND subsequent clarifications printed in MUHAMMAD SPEAKS,
dated April 11, have been criticized in certain circles as being
reflective of the Muslim leader’s “personal displeasure” with the Champ’s
“recent public utterances.”

In my estimation, however, the Messenger’s pronouncements and actions in
regard to Mr. Muhammad Ali’s temporary removal from the NATION’S roster
of bona fide members are based on DIVINE and essentially righteous
(ISLAMIC) doctrine and the genuine humanitarianism which distinquishes
the Honorable Elijah Muhammad from other Black American leaders.

After all, who esle but the Messenger would use such words of care and
compassion in reference to just one of his followers: “….People are
being killed in the (boxing) ring. How would Mr. Muhammad Ali (Cassius
Clay) feel if he should (accidentally) kill his own brother (i.e., a
Black opponent) for the sake of a ‘lettle’ money?…”

IN VIEW OF above, I think it should be crystal clear to everyone
concerned why the Champ must now forfeit his Muslim name as well as
certain privileges hitherto enjoyed by him as a trusted “laborer” and
minister in the U.S. Muslim movement. We must understand and acknowledge
that the laws of Islam are “final” and take precedence over all man-made
rules and regulations and that, therefore, on ordinary mortal may
challenge or defy an executor of those laws (i.e., Messenger Muhammad)
appointed and duly authorized as such by the Supreme Being (ALLAH)
Himself.

What’s even clearer, at least to me, is that, should Mr. Clay actually go
ahead with his plans to resume his career as a prize fighter — that is
to say, in outright and overt defiance of Messenger Muhammad’s wishes and
counsel – he won’t be able to “make it” to the top.

The Champ should know, and I think he does, that his previous ringside
triumphs did not result from his personal prowess or professional skill
alone; they were instead the natural, inevitable outcome of BLESSINGS
conferred upon Mr. Muhammad Ali by his spiritual leader and teacher
(HONORABLE ELIJAH MUHAMMAD) and, to a much lesser degree, the heartfelt
prayers of millions of fellow-Muslims around the world. Deprived and
devoid of that spiritual “charisma,” Mr. Clay cannot now be expected to
maintain the confidence and self-reliance prevalent during his 1965-67
bouts.

THE SAME HOLDS for the Champ’s material wherewithal: Regardless of the
size of his future earnings – we are aware that even as a loser he is
likely to be awarded heavy purses – he won’t be able to keep his spoils
forever. Allah has a way of taking away “every comfort and riches” from
all whom He deems undeserving of same.

In conclusion, I would like to state that, if Mr. Cassius Clay is earnest
in his oft-expressed “undying faith” in Messenger Muhammad and his belief
in Islam (even as recorded in the EBONY write-up), I hope and pray that
he will weigh his every future move as carefully as possible and do
nothing that might further offend his erst-while spiritual leader and
mentor, and will accept the punishment decreed in his case as a MAN.

Furthermore, a year out of the “NATION OF ISLAM, ” however unbearably
long though it might seem, isn’t exactly eternity and may well make the
Champ a bit wiser – which, come to think of it, my former
brother-in-Islam should really strive to be anyway (and which, I dare
add, wouldn’t harm him in the least) -if not richer.

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