A FRIEND WITHIN THE ENEMY
Dr. Syed Abdul Latif (1891–1971) was born in Kurnool, Deccan. He gained fame for his English translation of the Quran and his other scholarly works. As a boy, without telling his father, he enrolled in a local high school. His father, who disliked the English language and their education, became angry when he found out and asked harshly, “What will you do by studying English?” The thin, frail boy replied, “I will translate the Quran into English.”
In 1915, he earned his B.A. with distinction, and in 1920, he was appointed as a lecturer in English at Osmania University in Hyderabad. Two years later, in 1922, a new opportunity emerged when the university chose four teachers for advanced studies in Europe, granting each an interest-free loan of thirty thousand rupees. Among them was Syed Abdul Latif.
In London, he sought admission to a B.A. (Honours) program. However, the head of the English Department at King’s College and other professors were so impressed by his ability that they exempted him from both the B.A. and M.A., allowing him to go directly to a Ph.D. His thesis, ‘The Influence of English Literature on Urdu Literature,’ was given three years for completion, but he finished it in two. The college approved it, and he was awarded the doctorate. Returning to Hyderabad a year early, he was immediately appointed professor at Osmania University (Anjuman by Hasanuddin Ahmed IAS, 1974, pp. 85-86).
In 1922, the English were regarded as the greatest enemies of Muslims. Yet these very “enemies” displayed such generosity toward a Muslim student—a generosity seldom found even in Muslim institutions. The truth is that even among enemies, one may find friends. But only those who rise above the categories of friend and foe, and see others simply as human beings, can discover such a friend.
The common tendency is to see your own group as “ours” and others as “outsiders.” But with an open heart, everyone is your own, and no one is a stranger.
Swami Rama Tirtha (1873–1906), also known as Ram Soami, was an exceptionally talented person. One of his most profound sayings was: “On the doors of life it says ‘Pull,’ yet most of us keep pushing instead.”
Fluent in English, he traveled to America in 1903 to share his message of faith. When his ship docked at the port of San Francisco, he disembarked, and an American came up to him for an introduction. Their conversation went like this:
American: “Where is your luggage?”
Swami Rama Tirtha: “This is all my luggage.”
American: “And where do you keep your money?”
Swami Rama Tirtha: “I have no money.”
American: “Then how do you manage your life?”
Swami Rama Tirtha: “I love everyone, and that love takes care of everything.”
American: “Then you must at least have a friend in America?”
Swami Rama Tirtha: “Yes, I have a friend—and that friend is you.”
With these words, he wrapped his arms around the American’s shoulders. The man was so touched that he became a loyal friend. He took Swami Rama Tirtha to his home, stayed with him during his time in America, and eventually became his student.
This world has no greater power than love. Through love, you can turn an opponent into a friend and make a stranger your own—if your love is genuine and not fake.
