13 Best Muslim Athletes of All Time

13 Best Muslim Athletes of All Time

With 1.9 billion adherents, Islam is the world’s second-largest religion. It accounts for 24.9% of the world’s population. As a result, some of the world’s top athletes are Muslim.

Muslim boxers, NBA players, and soccer players abound. While some of these sportsmen were born Muslims, the majority converted to Islam later in life.

These sportsmen have etched their names in the annals of their sports.

Despite this, many followers are unaware of the faith they follow.

During Ramadan time, numerous NBA players fasted during the NBA season.

Almost every player on this list professes their faith publicly.

However, due to unforeseen circumstances, only a few athletes are non-practicing Muslims.

So, without further ado, here are the top Muslim athletes of all time.

More Face About The 13 Greatest Muslim Athletes of All Time

The list was compiled with the assistance of reputable internet sources such as SportsBrowser, Sportzbusiness, and others.

13. Rasheed Wallace

Rasheed Abdul Wallace, a former professional NBA player, will kick off our list of the top Muslim athletes.

On September 17, 1974, he was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Wallace spent 16 seasons in the NBA after being picked by the Washington Bullets (now Washington Wizards).

He was selected fourth overall in the 1995 NBA draft.

He played college basketball at the University of North Carolina before being drafted.

Wallace was one of the NBA’s few Muslim players at the time.

After making his debut with the Bullets, he went on to play for the Portland Trail Blazers, Atlanta Hawks, and Detroit Pistons.

Rasheed, likewise, played for the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks before retiring.

Wallace then went on to become a coach after retirement.

Wallace’s career highlights include NBA champion, four-time NBA All-Star, and NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

Wallace began his coaching career as an assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons and as the head coach of Jordan High School.

Rasheed has accepted a contract to become an assistant coach at Memphis, which is managed by head coach Peny Hardaway, beginning in 2021.

12. Marat Safin

Marat Safin is a former Russian world No. 1 tennis player.

He was a politician who was born Marat Mubinovich Safin on January 27, 1980.

Safin identified himself as a Muslim in an interview with “USA Today” in 2008.

He declared that he is Russian but completely Muslim.

Aside from Russian, he is also fluent in English and Spanish.

He does not, however, speak Tatar, his native language.

Tennis was introduced to Safin at a young age.

His parents are both former professional tennis players and coaches, and his sister Dinara Safina is a former world No. 1 professional tennis player.

Safin won his first Grand Slam in the US Open in 2000, defeating Pete Sampras in the final.

Similarly, he won the Australian Open in 2005 by defeating Lleyton Hewitt in the final.

Similarly, he contributed to Russia’s Davis Cup victories in 2002 and 2006.

In 2008, Safin became the first Russian male tennis player to reach the Wimbledon semifinals.

However, he was defeated by Roger Federer.

At the time of his retirement in 2009, Safin was rated 61st in the world.

In 2016, he became the first Russian tennis player to be admitted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

11. Franck Ribéry

Franck Ribéry, a professional football player from France, is the next athlete on our list.

Ribéry, 39, is regarded as a quick and crafty player with good dribbling ability.

He also serves as captain for the Serie A team Salernitana.

In 2007, Bayern signed Ribéry for a then-club-record amount of €25 million.

With Bayern, Ribéry won nine Bundesliga crowns, six DFB-Pokals, one UEFA Champions League, and one FIFA Club World Cup.

Malik, Ribéry’s Muslim companion, taught him about Islam.

Malik, his companion, introduced him to the Quran and the Prophet.

Ribéry later converted to Islam after marrying his wife during the peak of his athletic career.

He declared his conversion and took the name, Bilal.

Because of his devotion to his religion, the top European clubs provided Ribéry with halal meals and special prayer rooms.

Ribéry has made 81 international appearances for France’s national football team.

He has won the French Player of the Year award three times and the German Footballer of the Year award once.

10. Shahid Afridi

Shahid Afridi is a Pakistani professional cricketer.

He is one of the most popular and destructive cricketers, ranking seventh in ODI wicket-taking.

He is the current captain of the Galle Gladiators of the Lanka Premier League.

Afridi began his cricket career at a young age.

He played for the Pakistan under-19 championship circuit before being recruited to the senior national squad in 1994-95.

Shahid made his first ODI debut in 1996, after being picked.

Afridi has set various records during his career.

He has the global record for the fastest ODI century in 37 deliveries, for example.

Similarly, he holds the record for having the most sixes in ODI cricket history.

Shahid was selected player of the match in the 2009 T20 World Cup Final.

From 2009 to 2011, he served as captain of the Pakistan cricket team.

In 2010, Afridi captained the national team in all game formats.

Afridi declared his retirement from one-day international cricket after the 2015 Cricket World Cup.

He is, however, still active in other game formats. He is also one of the most generous athletes.

Afridi, who has a charity organization under his name, has also collaborated with UNICEF to push an anti-polio campaign in his nation. He was named one of the top twenty most generous athletes in 2015.

9. Naseem Hamed

Nassem Hamed, a former professional boxer, is next on our list.

Hamed, who was born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, began boxing professionally at flyweight in 1992.

BoxRec ranks him as the best British featherweight of all time.

At the age of 20, Hamed won the European bantamweight title.

In 1994, he won the WBC International super bantamweight title.

From 1992 through 2002, he held four featherweight world championships.

Hamid’s fans referred to him as Prince Naseem and Naz.

ESPN’s Dan Rafael once talked him up as one of the sport’s biggest stars, capable of selling out venues before his opponent was even chosen.

Hamed is well-known for his dramatic ring entrances, in addition to his unorthodox boxing abilities.

Hamed would sometimes arrive on a flying carpet, a lift, or a palanquin.

He even wore a Halloween mask and re-enacted Michael Jackson’s frightening video.

Hamed’s ring theatrics did not stop there; he was famous for his front somersault into the ring over the top rope.

His hard-hitting southpaw boxing style and formidable one-punch knockout power were also legendary.

As a devout Muslim, Hamed often chanted the Takbir aloud before his battles.

Hamed was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2015.

Furthermore, as of 2020, BoxRec ranks him as the 19th greatest European pound-for-pound boxer of all time.

8. Bernard Hopkins

Bernard Hopkins’ full name is Bernard Humphrey Hopkins Jr.

He was a professional boxer for many years and is considered one of the most successful fighters of the last three decades.

Hopkins had a difficult childhood. Hopkins had gone into a life of crime by the age of 13.

When he was 17, he was sentenced to 18 years in Graterford Prison for nine offenses.

Hopkins was released from jail in 1988 after spending nearly five years.

He discovered his passion for boxing while in prison and vowed to utilize it to escape his life of crime.

Hopkins turned to Islam around the same time.

He began boxing professionally as soon as he was freed from prison.

Hopkins made his debut in 1988, however, he was defeated by Clinton Mitchell.

In 1995, he won his first world title, the IBF middleweight title.

Hopkins was dubbed “The Executioner” and then “The Alien” for his outstanding defense and command of boxing fundamentals.

During his professional career, he won many world championships in two weight classes.

Hopkins is widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of the contemporary age.

His professional career began in 1988 and concluded in 2016.

7. Imran Khan

Next on our list is Pakistan’s Prime Minister and former cricketer. Imran Khan is 69 years old.

He was an international cricketer and the captain of Pakistan’s national cricket team, born Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi.

Khan’s ancestors are from the Pashtun ethnic group and the Niazi tribe. As a result, he is a natural Muslim.

He began his international career in the 1971 Test series against England but made his first-class debut at the age of 16.

Khan captained the national cricket team from 1982 to 1992 during his professional cricket career.

The Pakistan national team won the 1992 Cricket World Cup under his captaincy, the country’s first and only success in the competition.

Khan is one of cricket’s best all-rounders, having scored 3,807 runs and taken 362 wickets in Tests before retiring.

After the 1987 Cricket World Cup, this influential public figure announced his retirement from international cricket.

Khan transitioned from cricket to politics after quitting the game.

Khan was approached about political jobs several times during his cricket career.

He is, nonetheless, often regarded as a nationalist and populist.

Khan launched a political party in 1996 and ran for a seat in Pakistan’s National Assembly in the 1997 general election.

Imran Khan was inducted into the International Cricket Council’s Hall of Fame in 2010.

6. Hakeem Olajuwon

Hakeem Olajuwon is a retired Nigerian-American basketball player.

Olajuwon, nicknamed “the Dream,” is widely regarded as one of the best centers and basketball players of all time.

Olajuwon began playing cricket at the age of 15 after participating in a local event while attending the Muslim Teachers College in Lagos, Nigeria.

He quickly learned the game and moved to the United States to play basketball at the University of Houston.

The Houston Rockets selected Olajuwon with the first overall pick in the 1984 NBA draft.

During his early years, he was an irresponsible player who got into little confrontations.

Olajuwon, on the other hand, began to grow spiritually and later became a more devout Muslim.

As a result, he is one of the league’s finest Muslim players who strictly observed Ramadan. During Ramadan, he performed better.

Olajuwon also played for the Toronto Raptors after making his debut with Houston.

His career highlights include two NBA championships, two NBA Finals MVPs, and two NBA Most Valuable Player titles.

Similarly, he has been named an NBA All-Star twelve times, All-NBA First Team six times, All-NBA Third Team three times, and so on. Olajuwon was a member of the United States Olympic squad that won the gold medal in 1996.

Olajuwon is regarded as one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players.

In addition, in 2008, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

5. Shaquille O’Neal

Many people are unaware that one of the greatest basketball players, Shaquille O’Neal, is also an Islamist.

Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal, better known as Shaq, was born on March 6, 1972, in Newark, New Jersey.

Shaquille and Rashaun, O’Neal’s first and middle names, respectively, translate to “little one” and “warrior” in Arabic.

He has announced his intention to perform Hajj, a revered Muslim rite of passage.

Muslims travel to Mecca to exercise this sacred prerogative.

Shaq began playing basketball in high school.

In the 1992 NBA draft, he was selected first overall by the Orlando Magic.

O’Neal’s height of 7ft 1 inch provided him a slight advantage in the game.

Shaq was named Rookie of the Year in 1992-93.

He soon established himself as one of the league’s greatest centers. During an NBA game in 1995, he led his club to the finals.

Shaq began his NBA career with the Orlando Magic and later played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, and Phoenix Suns.

He also played for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics.

O’Neal’s major career highlights include four NBA championships, three NBA finals MVPs, and NBA Most Valuable Player.

Similarly, he was an NBA All-Star, All-NBA First Team eight times, NBA All-Star Game MVP three times, and so on.

In 2011, O’Neal announced his retirement from professional basketball.

He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016 and the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2017.

4. Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Zidane, 50, is a former French professional footballer.

Zinedine Zidane is a legendary player and one of the world’s most successful managers.

Zidane is a Muslim of Kabyle heritage from Algeria.

He calls himself a “non-practicing Muslim,” but it doesn’t stop him from praying before his game.

Zidane is an introverted legend who rarely speaks about his religious beliefs.

It could also be the outcome of past racial policies that have disrespected his racial background.

He also got death threats prior to the 2004 match against Algeria.

“I have an attachment with the Arabic world,” Zidane said in an interview with Esquire magazine.

I inherited it from my parents. I’m pleased to be French, but I’m also proud to have these roots and this diversity.”

Zidane went into coaching after retiring from his professional playing career.

He was named as a special adviser to Real Madrid’s first team in 2010 and remained with the club until 2021 when he quit.

In 2004, Zidane was rated one of the greatest living players by FIFA 100.

He is one of just eight players to have won the World Cup, Champions League, and Ballon d’Or.

3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a former professional basketball player, is third on our list of great Muslim athletes.

Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. was born in New York.

While attending UCLA in the summer of 1968, Alcindor converted to Islam.

He adopted the Arabic name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, which translates to “noble one, servant of Almighty,” and studied the Quran, which defined his ideas and reinvigorated his faith.

Kareem played basketball in high school and college, and the Milwaukee Bucks selected him first overall in the 1969 NBA draft.

In 1970, Jabbar was named NBA Rookie of the Year and to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

He also played for the Los Angeles Lakers during his professional career.

His major career highlights include six NBA championships, two NBA Finals MVPs, six NBA Most Valuable Player honors, and so on.

Kareem moved to coach after retiring from his playing career.

He was an assistant coach for Alchesay High School, the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Los Angeles Lakers.

He was also the head coach of the Oklahoma Strom.

Even after retiring, he remains the all-time leader in points, field goals, and career wins.

He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995.

2. Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson is widely regarded as one of the finest heavyweight fighters in history.

He was born Michael Gerard Tyson and was dubbed “Iron Mike,” “Kid Dynamite,” and ultimately “The Baddest Man on the Planet.”

Tyson had a difficult childhood.

He spent his childhood in high-crime neighborhoods.

By the age of 13, he had been arrested 38 times and was transferred to the Tryon School for Boys.

Bobby Stewart found Tyson’s boxing ability at a juvenile prison center.

Tyson proved Stewart correct, winning two gold medals at the Junior Olympic Games in 1981 and 1982.

Despite being born a Christian, he subsequently converted to Islam, much like his idol, Muhammad Ali.

It has been suggested that he converted to Islam while inside.

His Muslim name has been claimed to be Malik Abdul Aziz, however, some stories give him a different name, Malik Shabazz.

Tyson is well-known for his scary and violent boxing technique.

Despite his public image being damaged by issues, Sky Sports considers him to be the most vicious boxer to ever enter a professional ring.

Tyson was also the first heavyweight boxer to hold the WBA, WBC, and IBF titles.

Furthermore, he is the only heavyweight fighter to unify these titles in a row.

Mike Tyson was named the “Hardest Hitter in Heavyweight History” by ESPN, and he is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame.

1. Muhammad Ali

We have reached the conclusion of our list of well-known Muslim athletes.

On the top spot is none other than boxing icon Muhammad Ali.

He is regarded as one of the twentieth century’s most significant and celebrated sports figures.

Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. was born in Louisville, Kentucky.

In 1954 and 1960, the athlete made his amateur boxing debut.

His first professional game was against Tunney Hunsaker.

Ali was drawn to an article with a cartoon message claiming that the white establishment forced Christianity on slaves.

Racism was prevalent in America at the time.

And the cartoon reminded him that he had not chosen Christianity.

Clay became an Islamic convert in 1961.

In many ways, his conversion to Islam shaped his career and legacy.

He declared his conversion and personal proclamation of independence after winning the heavyweight championship.

Ali continued to study Islam in the years that followed

. He was a figurehead for American Muslims.

Ali fought in a number of memorable matches.

The most important event, though, was the fight of the century against George Foreman in The Rumble in the Jungle.

Aside from boxing, Ali was a talented spoken word performer who received two Grammy nominations.

Ali was also a writer and an actor. He wrote two autobiographies.

Ali became a humanitarian and activist after quitting boxing.
On June 3, 2016, this great and iconic figure of the twentieth century died at the age of 74.

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Conclusion

These are some of the most well-known Muslim athletes of all time.
While the majority of them were born Muslims, several converted later in life.

Nonetheless, these athletes are proud of their heritage and beliefs.
Do you chance to know any other great Muslim athletes?