"And when he (Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah) entered the prison, he found the prisoners occupied with various types of …

"And when he (Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah) entered the prison, he found the prisoners occupied with various types of games they used to distract themselves from their situation, such as chess, backgammon, and the like, leading to the neglect of prayers. The Sheikh denounced that most severely and commanded them to persist in prayer, turn to Allah with righteous deeds, glorification, seeking forgiveness, and supplication. He taught them what they needed of the Sunnah, encouraged them to do good deeds, and urged them toward that until the prison, with its occupation with knowledge and religion, became better than the retreats, outposts, hospices, and schools. Many of the prisoners, when released, chose to stay with him, and the number of people frequenting him increased until the prison would be filled with them." (Ibn Abd al-Hadi in his book: Al-Uqud al-Durriyah fi Manaqib Ibn Taymiyyah)