Ali Banat (Feb 16,1982- May 29,2018) was an Australian businessman, later a humanitarian philanthropist, from the Sydney suburb of Greenacre. He owned a security and Electrical company before getting diagnosed with Cancer in October of 2015. After the diagnosis, he found the charity ‘Muslims Around The World; also known as MATW.In October 2015, Ali Banat was diagnosed with stage 4 Cancer and was given 7 months to live. Up on releasing this, he began to release himself from all the material things he owned from his luxury cars to designer clothes are nothing and that all the matters is returning to Allah with a clean slate. So he sold his successful business and started his charity MATW project that focused on building mosque and schools in Togo Africa.The Millionaire turned humanitarian then tried through his charity and social media to influence people through his story in the hopes to shift our focus on the hereafter rather than this meaningless Dunya(Worldly Life)Many people reach out to him and tell him he’s guaranteed paradise for all the hard work he has done to the community to that he said; Subha Allah this, This is not worth just a simple blessing that Allah has given us. Ali Banat was grate for having the chance from Allah to know that his life will be ending soon and although he lasted much longer than the doctors had predicted earlier, he still was constantly reminded by constant setbacks in his health, keeping focused on pleasing Allah SWT.
Ali Banat said,” Try to have a goal, a plan, even try to have a project that you work towards. Even if it’s not your personal doing it and you are funding someone else’s projects. Just do something cause you are going to be needing it on the day of Judgement.”Ali Banat remembered death because of his Illness but we should all remember death no matter what our condition is because we never know when we will meet our creator and we should want to meet him in the best condition and with the cleanest heart.
So let’s take a moment and reflect on Ali’s story and try to change our lives and prepare for the hereafter, our real and permanent home!
May Allah have mercy on his Soul and make us all meet in the highest levels of Paradise.
Mahnaaz Hoth
Turbat
