Ali Fard Muhammad, 69, of Asbury Park, NJ, returned to Allah on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, NJ.  He was born on February 22, 1950 at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, NJ to Joseph and Hazel Smith.

He took a post in 1982 as personal security with a core group of brothers for Imam Warith Deen Mohammed, and then his son Imam WD Mohammed II of the Mosque Cares to ensure their safety.  He was a life-long member of the Fruit of Islam in the Nation of Islam under the Honorable Elijah Muhammad.  In 1969 at the age of 19 years old he became the youngest Lieutenant to serve in the Nation of Islam in Newark, NJ.

Brother Ali was introduced to the Nation of Islam by Brother Luke who resided in New York.  He was also drafted into the military in 1970; which he refused to go and faced jail time.  It was illegal to refuse the draft and he was charged as a "conscientious objector".  Ali explained in his court proceedings held in Newark, NJ the reasons why he did not want to join the military.  He told the court that the "Honorable Elijah Muhammad was his leader and teacher, and he stood firmly in his belief" that it was against his religion to serve in the military.  After the passing of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, he continued to spread the message of Islam throughout New Jersey and New York.  He was one of the pioneering co-founders with Imam Wali Mohammed at Masjid As- Siddiq in Asbury Park, NJ.

He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Hazel Smith; wife, Delores Muhammad; aunt, Mary Burton; sisters, Priscilla (Al-Nisa) Smith and Kathleen Saliard; brother, Tommy Organ; nephews, Henry Worthy and Kwane Williams.

Ali is survived by his three daughters, Thaifa Smith of Delaware, Fatima Smith of Delaware, Latifa Smith of Neptune City, NJ; grandchildren, Elijah A. Smith, El-Hajj M. Sall, Azana A. Sall, Angel T. Smith, Rashad McClain, Zion McClain, Erika McClain; brothers, Elmer Smith of Miami, FL, Saleem and Akbar Muhammad of Newark, NJ, Jonathan Smith of North Carolina; sisters, Vernetta Williams of Neptune, NJ, and Peggy (Halimah) Smith of Freehold, NJ; and a host of great nieces, nephews, and close friends who truly loved him dearly.