First Grain of Sand — Page 89
SOVIET PRESSURE INTENSIFIES 73 the spread and success of the Ahmadiyya Movement, for which I happily and proudly gave my life. On the same day, a man was arrested and brought into the adjoin- ing cell, which was mostly occupied by Russian prisoners. This man was originally from Bhera [in present-day Pakistan] but had been running a café in Bukhara for many years. By being in the adjacent cell, he was able to come into my cell, where he would speak with me and inform the government about me. One day, seeing a Quran in my hand, he came to my cell and asked me what book I was holding. At that time, I had a strong passion for preach- ing the message of the Ahmadiyya Movement. So I responded say- ing that this is that book in which every single page, every single line, and every single word one can find the essence of my life. I said this is the source of my peace and comfort, for which I can sacrifice every limb of my body millions of times over. I said I am in love with this book. Then I turned to Abdullah Khan and told him that as a man of God, I would proudly accept any death that comes to me on God's path. I told him not to fear anything that may come upon him. Instead, I said, he should be brave and not be afraid at all about that which I brought to him, as this is what the Promised Messiah and Mahdias has given us. I emphatically said to him that if I am killed, then on the Day of Judgment when he is in front of God, I want him to give honest testimony that I lived for the sole purpose of elevating God and His love while on this earth. I became so worked up and said this so loudly that a prison officer came inside and began walking in front of my cell. As soon as this loud voice emanated from within me and I completed what