Perseverance — Page 11
Part I – Life Before Islam 11 In fact, I went to a Jewish organization where they openly admitted that money was their most important criterion. They told me that a Jew could do no wrong, unless he lost money. That was their only criterion for sin. After witnessing all of this I came to realize that the dollar was god. Everything was done for this god. Politics, business, worship and all activity bowed their heads to this deity. So why shouldn’t I? As part of accepting this reality, I did what I had to in pursuit of this god. I was set on becoming rich, ill-gotten or not. GAMBLING HOUSE IN EAST ST. LOUIS I was in charge of a gambling house in East St. Louis. I would get a cut of 10 cents on the dollar. One time I was asked to pawn a client’s gun for a $25 loan. He used this money to gamble and won some additional money with it. He then asked me for his gun back. As I put his gun on the table, he took it before he gave me the $25 back. I asked him where my money was and he said, “I don’t know what you did with your money. That’s your business. ” He had a smirk on his face as if he was saying that I was an idiot. That enraged me. This was a matter of street honor. I was going to get my money back or die in the process. As he walked away, I went after him and hit his head with the butt of my own gun. My gun had fallen down and as he reached for his gun, I bear hugged him to prevent him. He, being much larger than me, swung side to side and managed to shift me into a position where he could aim his gun at my head. At that point, a few of my friends came to assist me, but with the good excuse to rob this guy for their own gain.