The Prison Imam’s First Day
I walked into a maximum-security prison expecting danger. I found the most sincere Muslims I’ve ever met.
My first day as a prison chaplain, an inmate named Terrence asked me to teach him Al-Fatiha. His pronunciation was terrible. His sincerity was immaculate.
I’ve watched men learn Arabic in cells with no internet. I’ve seen hardened criminals weep during tahajjud.
Terrence memorised fifteen surahs in eight months. When he was released, he called from the bus stop: ‘Sheikh, I just prayed Dhuhr on the sidewalk. Free Dhuhr.’ He was crying.
The most sincere Muslims I know aren’t in mansions. They’re in concrete cells, making wudu with cold water from steel sinks.