For the young
Ali Banat and the next generation
He was young, he was rich, and he chose to spend it all on others. This is for you.
Why Ali Banat’s story speaks to the young
He was young. He was rich. He had the life so many young people dream of. And he chose to spend it on others.
That is why his story reaches the next generation so strongly: it shows that a young person can change, and can change the lives of others, in a very short time. SBS News described him as 32 in a video recorded shortly before he passed away (SBS News, 1 June 2018).
You can sponsor an orphan and see each month’s support. See the biggest Muslim charities in the UK and what they spend.
A reminder about wealth, from Ali Banat
Before you chase the cars and the watches, listen to someone who had them.
- What he had: a Ferrari convertible, a diamond bracelet, dozens of pairs of designer sunglasses and shoes (The National, 1 June 2018). “We had the cars, we had the money, we had everything” (SBS News, 1 June 2018).
- What he did: he gave his cars, his watches and even his clothes away (The National, 1 June 2018), sold his business and flew to Togo to build a mosque and a school (The National, 1 June 2018).
- What he said: “all this stuff doesn’t benefit you”, and “Even your money, is not going to be there for you” (Gifted With Cancer, OnePath Network, 2015).
Money is not the enemy. Living for it is. Earn it honestly, enjoy it gratefully, and give it generously, before it is taken from your hands.
I wanted to try to leave this world without anything.
Don’t let the race distract you
The Quran warns that competing for more and more distracts people until they reach the graves (Quran 102:1-2):
أَلۡهَىٰكُمُ ٱلتَّكَاثُرُ ١
alhākumu l-takāthuru
Competition in [worldly] increase diverts you
حَتَّىٰ زُرۡتُمُ ٱلۡمَقَابِرَ ٢
ḥattā zur'tumu l-maqābira
Until you visit the graveyards.
What we hope he inspires
We hope his story keeps doing what it has already done for millions: making people stop and ask what their money, their time and their youth are for.\n\nWe want every young person who hears it to leave with a goal, a plan and the courage to begin, and we ask Allah to accept the good they do because of him, from them and for him.
A seed that keeps growing
The Quran compares what is spent for the sake of Allah to a single grain that grows seven ears, with a hundred grains in each (Quran 2:261). One young man’s giving became a message heard by millions. One act of yours can grow the same way.
مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمۡوَٰلَهُمۡ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنۢبَتَتۡ سَبۡعَ سَنَابِلَ فِي كُلِّ سُنۢبُلَةٖ مِّاْئَةُ حَبَّةٖۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُضَٰعِفُ لِمَن يَشَآءُۚ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ ٢٦١
mathalu alladhīna yunfiqūna amwālahum fī sabīli l-lahi kamathali ḥabbatin anbatat sabʿa sanābila fī kulli sunbulatin mi-atu ḥabbatin wal-lahu yuḍāʿifu liman yashāu wal-lahu wāsiʿun ʿalīmun
The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allāh is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allāh multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allāh is all-Encompassing and Knowing.
Six things to do after watching him
- Watch one of his talks with someone younger than you, and talk about it afterwards.
- Write down one goal, as he asked: “try to have a goal, try to have a plan that you work towards” (SBS News, 1 June 2018).
- Give something every week, even a little. Every Muslim should give charity, and anyone who cannot can help someone in need, or do good and hold back from harm (Sahih al-Bukhari 1445).
- Give your time. Volunteering is giving too; muslimvolunteer.com shows where to start.
- Let one thing go: something you love, given for Allah (Quran 3:92).
- Remember him in your duas, using the duas for him.
For parents and teachers
Tell his story simply: a young man had everything, learned that he was very ill, and spent the time he had left helping people. Ask children what they would give, and to whom. Then let them choose one small project, such as raising money for a well or collecting clothes for people in need, and help them see it through.
Pass it on
If his story moved you, share it. Send a friend one of his talks, a line he said or this site. Every share is a chance for someone else to begin, and for his message to keep travelling.