I Will Never Forget That Night

News ID: ۲۳۷۳۷۰

جمعه - ۱۹ فروردين ۲۰۱۰ / 2010 19 January

(By Lieutenant Ali Asghar Ashrafee)
I was working in the law enforcement squad of the fourth base of jet fighters. We were in war zone and a great number of the brave pilots of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force were sent on duty to the base from the Air Force Units. Martyr Babaee and Martyr Ardestani frequented the base due to the fact that the base was near the camping area and it was considered as a major spot for air raids in the area. Whenever those two great martyrs came to Dezful Base, they never went to the inns set aside for officials to rest at night.
We had prepared a place of worship in the establishment area of the law-enforcement squad.
It was a place where soldiers prayed together with us. There were some military blankets in the place of worship, which was a 12-square-meter room.
And it didn't have any luxurious facilities.
Martyr Babaee and Martyr Ardestani were in great fellowship with the members of the law- enforcement squad, and they came to that place to rest at night (not just resting but staying awake at night) and they slept in the places of worship.
Once I was out on a nocturnal patrol, I came back at 3 o'clock in the morning. When I entered the corridor of the building, a grievous murmur attracted my attention.
Suddenly I moved towards the sound to see what was happening.
I started walking along the corridor, which was somehow long and was made up of numerous rooms. When I neared the place of worship, I noticed that the sound of murmuring and blessing originated from that place. I moved my hand towards the door handle out of curiosity and I took a look while the door was ajar. Although the room was dark, when I heard Martyr Ardestani's voice, I recognized him. I saw Martyr Babaee beside him saying their prayers and both of them were silently praying for their needs so indescribably at dawn in a way that they didn't notice my presence at the door. They raised their hands towards the sky, the hands that aimed the bombs at the enemies of Islam by pressing the buttons. During those days, they kept shivering and imploring in a posture that affected any onlooker.
I withdrew quietly and involuntarily. I moved towards the tap and performed my ablutions. I went into the place of worship without attracting those great men's attention and I began to pray silently for my needs behind them in a corner. I was feeling happy because I had been fortunate enough to find a way into their friendly meeting. That was one of the most exceptional nights of my life that I will never forget its sweetness.