One of the finest boxers of
human history- Muhammad Ali, in conversation with his daughter Hana Yasmeen Ali
reflects on his life journey. Muhammad Ali was a legend who had an unwavering
conviction, and this book presents his personal recollections. His daughter’s
memories, his own stories and poems that touched his heart are also recorded in
this book.
Muhammad Ali says: “I see that many people build big beautiful
houses but live in broken homes.” Ali says that religion and spirituality
are two different things. Discussing his personal life Ali says that his father
was a painter who worked hard for his children’s upbringing. Ali himself did
odd jobs early in life. Prejudice was common in America at that time as racialism
was at its peak. The blacks were considered as second class citizens. Ali says:
“But everything was considered bad, and
undesirable.”
Writing on the purpose of life
Ali views that one person with knowledge of his life’s purpose is more powerful
than ten thousand working without that knowledge. In addition, he says: “The greatest victory in life is to rise
above the material things that we once valued most.” The author says that
self-discovery is the most liberating choice of all. When Muhammad Ali won the Olympic
gold he thought that everything would open up to him, but that did not happen.
He and his friend Ronnie were not served food in a restaurant as the waitress replied
that they did not serve Negroes. Ali later threw his medal into Ohio river as
he thought that material things really did not matter in life.
Ali was a great supporter of
freedom and equality for the black population. He describes how he met Elijah
Muhamad and adopted Islam as his new religion. He met Malcolm X for the first
time in Detroit in 1962. At age 22 Muhammad Ali beat Sonny Liston in 1964 to
become the heavyweight champion of the world. Ali says that Elijah Muhammad had
forced Ali to break with Malcolm. He remembers turning his back on Malcolm as
one of the mistakes that he regrets most. Ali considered Malcolm as a great
thinker and a great friend.
Discussing the heart of a man
Ali stresses that regardless of how wealthy a man may be, if his heart his not
pure, he cannot be great. Ali returned to boxing in 1971 after three and a half
years. The Supreme court overturned
Ali’s conviction for violation of the Selective Service Act. Ali says that of
all the men that he fought Liston was the scariest, Foreman was the most
powerful, Patterson was the most skillful, and Joe Frazier the most toughest.
On success Muhammad Ali says: “True success is reaching our potential
without compromising our values.” Ali further adds that honesty, integrity,
kindness, and friendship are the true treasures we should be seeking. Ali
married four times and had nine children. His love for his children in shown in
this book. He feels lucky because of them. On unity Ali is of the view that
when people lend a helping hand without having to receive something in return,
we will see humanity. Ali also writes about his meeting with Nelson Mandela and
Dalai Lama. His visit to Afghanistan and his efforts for peace building are also
included in this book.
The Soul of a Butterfly is a book that covers numerous themes ranging
from belief in God to personal development. It is an insight to the life of Ali
Muhammad who was a boxing genius and a great human being.
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