I was doing just my duty, but that was impacting a lot of people and making them proud. So, I feel so grateful to Allah for giving me that opportunity while I had that chance to make that impact. And thankfully it impacted all the people - more than I realized.

Hakeem Olajuwon

When you get to that level, it's not a matter of talent anymore - because all the players are so talented - it's about preparation, about playing smart and making good decisions.

Hakeem Olajuwon

smart basketball motivational

The most important thing in a person's life is his faith and how he translates his faith into practical deeds.

Hakeem Olajuwon

important leadership sports

It's not up to anyone else to make me give my best.

Hakeem Olajuwon

basketball ambition sports

All these boundaries - Africa, Asia, Malaysia, America - are set by men. But you don't have to look at boundaries when you are looking at a man - at the character of a man. The question is: What do you stand for? Are you a follower, or are you a leader?

Hakeem Olajuwon

basketball motivational positive

I'm shy, but sometimes my voice is so clear and strong.

Hakeem Olajuwon

shy voice strong

Allah says in the Qur'an not to despise one another. So the criterion in Islam is not color or social status. It's who is most righteous. If I go to a mosque - and I'm a basketball player with money and prestige - if I go to a mosque and see an imam, I feel inferior. He's better than me. It's about knowledge.

Hakeem Olajuwon

color basketball player

Basketball is in my blood. It is my obligation to try.

Hakeem Olajuwon

basketball inspirational blood

God comes first. Paradise is not cheap.

Hakeem Olajuwon

paradise firsts

I always keep a ball in the car. You never know.

Hakeem Olajuwon

balls car sports

Being from Africa is the best thing that could have ever, ever happened to me. I cannot see it any other way. All of my fundamental principles that were instilled in me in my home, from my childhood, are still with me.

Hakeem Olajuwon

childhood basketball home

Sports is good for health and for children, it gives them manhood, courage, teaches them team work and coordination. Sports is something that is so crucial, it makes everything.

Hakeem Olajuwon

team sports children

My background playing soccer gave me a natural advantage over many of the American-born players.

Hakeem Olajuwon

player soccer sports

The difference must be distinguished between worship and respect. Islam orders you to obey and respect, as long as you are not worshiping anything other than God... Islam is a religion of peace. You don't attack. You explain.

Hakeem Olajuwon

differences order long

I was successful materially, but I know life is much more than worldly success. I saw all these blessings God had given me. The way to give thanks is obedience to God.

Hakeem Olajuwon

successful blessing giving

I love fashion as much as I love basketball! It is a great joy for me to express myself through designing my own collection.

Hakeem Olajuwon

design fashion basketball

In many ways, my job in soccer was like my job in basketball now. I had to protect the goal. That was the name of the game, not letting the other team score.

Hakeem Olajuwon

When people start comparing him with (Michael) Jordan then that's not a fair comparison. Jordan was a far more superior player in a very tough league, he was very creative. That's not taking away anything from LeBron because he is a great player, but it is not a fair comparison because Jordan is a far superior player.

Hakeem Olajuwon

player league people

When I look at the system here and look at my position - not just as a basketball player, but when I look around me at the values of the people and the culture and compare them with the values of where I came from - I feel so blessed to be from Africa.

Hakeem Olajuwon

basketball player blessed

When I was playing, I didn't realize how much of an impact I would make on people, Muslim or non-Muslim. We played a lot of games during Ramadan. On national TV, the announcers were commenting about Ramadan, and this raised the awareness to the general public and we made all the Muslims very, very proud.

Hakeem Olajuwon

realizing proud people

Well, the problem is the freedom that the sport gives you without getting to politics. Unfortunately, you cannot now separate it because people cannot be truthful; they have to be politically correct. There's no more sincerity. What we had before was freedom of speech and freedom of expression without judgement. That's why I don't get into politics.

Hakeem Olajuwon

sports giving people