Malcolm was twenty-one years old when he entered prison; he was to serve a total of seven years. Early in this period, he earned the nickname “Satan” for his wild, obscene attacks on God and religion. But during his time in prison, he underwent the most important transformation of his life. First, he regained some respect for education and began to read and study again. Then, at his family’s urging, he became interested in the religion which was to vault him to national prominence as its foremost spokesman — the Nation of Islam, or “Black Muslims.”