First Grain of Sand — Page 60
44 FIRST GRAIN OF SAND to memorize one new part [out of the full thirty] of the Quran, and then I would spend two days practicing to learn it by heart. Through this method, I was able to memorize five parts of the Quran during the month. In addition, I would also spend more time this month reflecting on the meaning of the Quranic verses, as well as in the remembrance of God Almighty and reflecting on His attributes. The extra Tahajjud Prayers in the middle of the night continued to be a regular practice. After Maghrib [the obligatory Prayer after sunset], I would eat dinner and then get up from the area that was given to me in the cell, which was a big table on which I would lay my bed. The rest of my cellmates slept on a long wooden board that was spread across the room, while four or five people slept on the ground. I would get up from my area and go to each cellmate to ask them how they are doing in either Persian or Russian. I don't have words to express the passion and desire I felt there realising that I was on the land of Turkistan [Russia] where my Holy Master had sent me to give the people of this country the good news of the Promised Messiahas. The love and empathy that developed in my heart for these people grew so strong that it cre- ated a constant worry and anxiety about them day and night. At all times, I was preoccupied with the thought of them joining the community of the Promised Messiahas so they could experience the true joy and satisfaction of Islam and the Quran. They, too, would feel the love and empathy I held for them and, at times, they were amazed that I worried more about their well-being than I did my own self.