First Grain of Sand — Page 54
38 FIRST GRAIN OF SAND closed my cell, in the presence of the prison clerk he asked the Russian guard what kind of person I am. In response, the guard complimented me greatly. Hearing this glowing review, the prison clerk instructed the guard to bring a pot of tea for me. He hap- pily brought it to me straight away and spoke in Russian with my cellmate to tell him this entire episode of what just happened. Hearing this, my Russian cellmate was quite happy and kept tell- ing me that not only he himself has a positive opinion about me but even the guard himself has the same opinion as well. So I took the tea and respectfully thanked him. Therefore, by the grace of Allah, not only my own cellmate but also some prison guards were kind and sympathetic towards me after noting the unique love, humility, and open-hearted man- ner in which I would live my days. Even the prisoners of surround- ing cells expressed astonishment and began to develop a great deal of respect for me in their hearts. While I was in the same cell, they started to regard me as a pious and holy person. The Islamic month of Ramadan was approaching, and I set my intention to keep extra fasts now before the month began. Since the prison would allow inmates to receive meals from family members every Monday and Friday, there was one prisoner who would frequently receive his meals from his relatives. Whenever he received this home-cooked meal, he would share some with me. I never asked for any, but when he insisted so strongly, I then took some food.