Years after his diagnosis, Ali Banat's legacy continues to inspire millions globally through his charitable work and spiritual transformation.

Cancer A Blessing

Ali Banat, born in Sydney, was diagnosed with Cancer and was given only 7 months to live. Despite his circumstances, he considers this a gift from Allah.

Ali, in his own words, said he was “gifted” with a stage 4 cancer. He took this great test as an opportunity to change his life. Upon receiving this news he immediately sold his business, gave up his lavish lifestyle and prized possessions and began a new mission to give up his Dunya and work for his Akhirah.

Ali has humbly dedicated the remainder of his life to helping those who are far less fortunate than him and in doing so, set up the charity MATW Project (Muslims Around The World) which has already changed the lives of so many.

“At this point in my life, Alhamdulillah I have been gifted by Allah with cancer throughout my body and I have changed my whole life to helping people,” he said.

When asked why he called the illness a gift from the Allah, the sobbing Ali Banat said the disease was an opportunity for transformation.

“Alhamdulillah it is a gift because Allah has given me a chance to change,” he tells Mohamed Hoblos from Living Muslim, wiping tears streaming from his eyes.

Despite having the dreaded disease all over his body, Ali is psyched about the day he will breathe his last.

No Love For Worldly Possessions

He got rid of his cars, including his Ferrari Spider, and had to do away with his expensive watches, as he was determined to shun the worldly possessions in preparation for the day he shall depart.

“I got rid of my cars, I got rid of my watches, even my clothes I took them overseas and gave them to a lot of people out there. I wanted to try to leave this world without anything,” said Ali Banat.

A trip to his room shows the luxurious lifestyle which he was living, from designer bracelets that cost around $60 000, expensive watches, designers sunglasses and top of the range sneakers – some of which has made way to underprivileged communities in Africa.

Gazing at his Ferrari parked in the driveway, Ali says his interest in the materialistic possessions has vanished.

“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 haven’t got much time in this life, wallahi this is the last thing you want to chase and this is how we should be living our lives every day,” said Ali Banat as he advised people chasing worldly objects.

“These people are going for the wrong goals; you will realize that when you get sick when someone tells you, you haven’t got long to live.
“You will realize all this stuff doesn’t benefit you in any way.”

Muslims Around The World Project

Messages of support from Muslims across the world have been sent to Ali, who established a charity organization that has constructed a masjid and school in Africa, which will serve as a continuing charity when he passes away.

He said the idea of establishing the charity organization, Muslims Around the World Project, was born out of the realization that when he dies all his wealth will remain, except for his deeds.

“It all started when I went to the cemetery where a brother that had cancer had passed away. And I was at the cemetery and I was thinking to myself 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,” explaining that even the wealth also disappears.

“Even your money is not going to be there for you so the only thing that’s going to be there for you is sadaqa (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.”

Ali Banat, who has been spending most of his time visiting the cemetery in preparation for his death told Living Muslim he’s ready for the angel of death to take his soul.

“I have been advised by one of the brothers to take a special drug, to help me with pain and stuff and SubhanAllah it’s very strong. I took a bit too much and came into a whole different world as in not knowing where I was.”

“It was very hard for me, and SubhanAllah I actually have seen things I have never seen before and my family were all there standing around me and I was pointing up and I was saying ‘Ya Allah take me’.
“It was that beautiful what I was seeing, I just wanted to go, and the next day SubhanAllah I wake up and I was upset that Allah didn’t take me,” said Ali Banat with eyes filled with tears.

Article Courtesy: Abubakar ES Ozioto

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Ali Banat and what did he do?

Ali Banat was an Australian businessman diagnosed with stage 4 cancer who founded MATW Project (Muslims Around The World) after receiving his diagnosis. He devoted his remaining life to helping underprivileged communities globally, abandoning his lavish lifestyle to serve humanity.

What is the MATW Project that Ali Banat established?

MATW Project (Muslims Around The World) is a charity organization founded by Ali Banat to help those less fortunate. The initiative focuses on providing assistance to underprivileged communities and has positively impacted countless lives through humanitarian and social welfare programs.

How did Ali Banat view his cancer diagnosis?

Ali Banat described his cancer diagnosis as a ‘gift from Allah,’ viewing it as a divine opportunity for spiritual transformation. He believed the illness was an opportunity to change his life, abandon material pursuits, and dedicate himself to helping others and strengthening his faith.

What did Ali Banat give up after his cancer diagnosis?

After his diagnosis, Ali Banat sold his business, abandoned his lavish lifestyle, and gave away expensive possessions including his Ferrari Spider and luxury watches. He shifted his focus entirely from material wealth to spiritual growth and humanitarian service.

What is Ali Banat’s message about living with terminal illness?

Ali Banat’s message emphasizes that terminal illness can catalyze profound life transformation. His approach demonstrates that facing mortality can inspire people to abandon materialism, deepen spiritual connections, and dedicate themselves to meaningful work serving humanity and their communities.