Ali’s Story

Here is the story of a wealthy young man that’s been diagnosed with stage four cancer.

You can find his story on youtube and I shall leave the link down to his story below, for those that would like to watch and see him. It’s really worth watching and just about 7mins long.

Ali is a young Muslim born and raised in Sydney, Australia who has lived quite a successful life. However, it was only recently that his life took a dramatic turn.

He was interviewed by Sheikh Mohamed Hoblos and here is his story.

Where are you now in your life. What’s happened to you? 

This point in my life, I’ve been gifted Alhamdulilah by Allah with cancer throughout my body, and I have changed my whole life to helping people.

Why do you call it a gift Ali?

Alhamdulilah, it’s a gift because…(cries) it’s a gift because Allah has given me a chance to change.

What has having cancer opened your eyes to?

Subhanallah, Everything in life. Even the smallest gift like breathing fresh air.

Do you feel like you used to take that for granted before?

(Nods)

How long have you had cancer for? 

4 months now.

Ali was diagnosed with stage four cancer and was given only 7 months to live. Upon finding the news, he immediately sold his successful business and was forced to reconsider the lavish lifestyle he was accustomed to. Everything was to change.

Ali what was your reaction when you came to know you had cancer?

I got rid of my cars, I got rid of my watches, even my clothes; I took them with me overseas and gave them to a lot of people up there (smiles). I wanted to try to leave this world without anything.

So you are on a mission to get rid of your dunya (wordly possessions)?  

(Smiles and nods)

It wasn’t until Ali invited them to his room, that they truly understood the luxurious lifestyle he was living and the extent of the sacrifice that he was making.

What’s all this Ali? Talk to me.

It’s a bracelet yani, costs about $60,000.

 $60,000?

Yes

What do you have in these boxes Ali?

They are all my shoes.

Louis Vuitton? 

All Louis Vuitton.

(Pulls out a trainer) How much is something like this worth Ali?

They are probably about $1300.

(Pulls out normal looking flip flops) How much did you pay for that Ali?

About $700

For thongs (flip flops)?

For a pair of thongs yes.

So what’s happening with the sunglasses here Ali?

I just like collecting different sunglasses. I got rid of a lot of them. I gave them to a couple of brothers in Africa alhamdulilah.

So you are telling me there’s a kid in Africa walking around with Louis Vuitton’s? 

(Smiles and nods)

Can I try one of these hats on? I’ve only mentioned them in my talks about 100 times (reaches out for one of the many gucci hats).

You can try the red one; it’s limited edition.  (Sheikh tries it on) Barakallah. Sheikh Gucci!

(Sheikh laughs).

Ali’s interest in the dunya has left him abruptly and no longer holds a place in his heart.

So Ali, What do you feel now when you look at this? (Points at his $600,000 ferrari spider)

Driving something like this, doesn’t really cross my mind anymore. It’s not something I want to do anymore. After someone tells you or you find out that you are sick, or you haven’t got much time in this life, wallahi this is the last thing that you want to chase. And this is how we should be living our life everyday.

A car like this, people would love to be in it, people would love to own it, people would love to drive it. 

Wallah they are going for the wrong goals and you realise that when you get sick. when someone tells you, you haven’t got long to live. You realise all this stuff does not benefit us in any way.

So what’s the value of this in your heart?

This is worth one pair of thongs (flip flops) for a little african child with no thongs. Wallahi its worth more to me to see him smile with a pair of thongs than to own one of these, wallahi adheem (by Allah).

Ali has since dedicated the remainder of his life and wealth to helping those who are far less fortunate than him. After an emotional journey to Africa, Ali has established a charity titled ‘Muslims around the world project’. The organisation wasted no time in the construction of a masjid and a school in Africa to serve as an ongoing charity for him when he finally has to depart this world.

(Ali speaks) It all started from when I went to the cemetery, when a brother that had the same sickness passed away. I was at the cemetery and I was just thinking to myself you know, after you go there’s nothing. There’s no one there for you. No mother, no father, no brother, no sister except for your deeds. Even your money, is not going to be there for you. So the only thing that’s going to be there for you is sadaqah (charity), and that’s the only thing that’s going to help you gradually through your time in the grave until you get to your ultimate destination.

As the reality of death further sinks in, Ali spends most of his personal time in preparing himself for his final meeting with His creator, Allah.

The Prophet (saw) said ‘He who loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him. And he who hates to meet Allah, Allah hates to meet him”. Are you loving to meet Allah?

Because of this cancer, I’ve been advised by one of the brothers to take a special drug to help me with pain and stuff and subhanallah its very strong. I took a bit too much and I came into a whole different world (passed out/slept and dreamt) as in not knowing where I was. It was very hard for me. And subhanallah I actually seen things I’ve never seen before, and my family where there all standing around me and I was pointing up and I was saying “Ya Allah take me”. And it was that beautiful what I was seeing, I just wanted to go. And the next day subhanallah I woke up and I was upset that Allah didn’t take me (tears fall).

I ask Allah to purify you and give you shifaa (cure) and keep you around us for a long time. 

Jazakallah khair (May Allāh reward you with goodness).

May Allah swt reward you and give you Jannah Al Firdaus (paradise).

In Sha Allah (brothers hug and the video ends).

This video is very emotional and a real eye opener. It makes you see this world for what it really is. I pray to Allah swt that we never loose sight of what this world truly is and that our hearts don’t get attached to things that will not benefit/build our akhira.

The prophet (ﷺ) said “There is no disease that Allah has created, except that He also has created its remedy.” Bukhari 7.582

When you are sick two things can happen; shaytan can overcome you and poison your mind or spirituality can overcome you and you get closer to Allah.

Some vital things to remember when we are sick:

The Prophet (ﷺ) ‘Whenever a Muslim experiences any hardship like sickness (etc.), Allah Ta’ala wipes away his sins just as a tree sheds its leaves during autumn.’ (Bukhaari and Muslim)

The prophet (ﷺ) said ‘When a Mu’min experiences any fatigue, disease, sorrow, grief, hurt or distress, even to the extent that if a thorn has to prick him, Allah Ta’ala wipes away some of his sins for that.’ (Sahih Bukhaari)

Also;

Rasulullah(ﷺ) said, ‘(Sometimes) a very high rank (in Allah’s sight) is decreed for a Mu’min which he could never have attained by virtue of his deeds, so Allah Ta’ala lets him experience some hardship, whether it be physical, material (financial, etc.) or concerning his children. Then, He makes him patient and lets him attain the position decreed for him.’ (Ahmad, Abu Dawood)

And remember if you know anyone thats sick at home or at the hospital, it’s sunnah to pay them a visit.

The Messenger of Allah(ﷺ) said “Verily, Allah, the Exalted, and Glorious will say on the Day of Resurrection: ‘O son of Adam, I was ill but you did not visit Me.’ He would say: ‘O my Rabb, how could I visit you and You are the Rabb of the worlds?’ Thereupon He would say: ‘Did you not know that such and such a slave of Mine was ill but you did not visit him? Did you not realize that if you had visited him (you would have known that I was aware of your visit to him, for which I would reward you) you would have found Me with him?”  [Muslim]

In another hadith:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “When a Muslim visits a sick Muslim at dawn, seventy thousand angels keep on praying for him till dusk. If he visits him in the evening, seventy thousand angels keep on praying for him till the morning; and he will have (his share of) reaped fruits in Jannah.” [At- Tirmidhi]. Subhanallah.

Ya Allah we ask as your loving servants to grant us a cure to our sickness, on the other hand we are not competing with your decision upon us. We accept whatever decree you have placed on us and know its for our own good. We ask that You grant us sabr (patience/endurance) to bear and pass or tests.

I pray Allah swt grants shifaa to Ali, my other muslim brothers and sisters and every other person that has cancer or any other terminal disease. Ameen.

Click here to watch Ali

Have a blessed week ^.^