First Grain of Sand — Page 63
THE FIRST CONVERTS OF THE AHMADIYYA MOVEMENT IN THE U. S. S. R. 47 My friend, I don't know, but I swear by God [as my Witness] that the love and pain that I have in my heart for you is beyond my ability to capture in words. I felt that debating Abdullah could become an argument, and if doing so created any grudge in his heart, it may push him away and leave him bereft of the magnificent guidance I wanted to give him. I ensured that I did not let any discord or conflict develop between us. As it was the month of Ramadan, some Turkish Muslims in surrounding cells would send some very nice food to me in my cell. Any time I received food from outside, I would distribute it among 4 to 5 of my cellmates who were very poor. In fact, one time a Turkish Muslim kindly paid to have a sweet dish and some fresh bread delivered to the prison and gave it to me. I gave it entirely to Abdullah Khan, who was the Imam there, and said to distribute this among everyone in the room. After distributing the food to some [but not all] of our cellmates, he tried to return the rest to me, but I refused and said he should ensure everyone received a share. Every time I received food from outside my cell, I would distribute it among everyone in my cell, and I myself would eat the food given by the prison authorities. The inmates in my cell became my acquaintances and would take turns giving me just enough food as I needed to eat. Since there were 4 or 5 cellmates who would sleep on the bare floor, I continued to informally go sit with them on the floor, where I would ask them about themselves and give advice based on the teachings of the Quran and the words of the Prophet