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Embracing the Transformative Power of Love: A Personal Reflection on Treating Enemies as Friends

January 31, 2025, in Articles > Baha'i Life, by

In the Baha’i Faith, we are called to rise above the limitations of our human inclinations and embody divine love and unity. A powerful quote from Abdu’l-Baha that I keep returning to invites us to transform our perceptions and responses to those who oppose us. He states:

“Recognize your enemies as friends and consider those who wish you evil as the wisher of good. You must not see evil as evil and then compromise your opinion, for to treat in a smooth, kindly way one whom you consider evil or an enemy is hypocrisy, and this is not worthy or allowable. You must consider your enemies as your friends, look upon your evil-wishers as your well-wishers and treat them accordingly.”1

When I consider this quotation, it raises a lot of questions for me: How can we embrace those who may wish harm upon us? How can we see our adversaries as friends and those who do us wrong as well-wishers? I believe Abdu’l-Baha’s words invite us to rise above our emotional/human reactions and to see others through a higher, more spiritual perspective.

The Essence of True Friendship

Abdu’l-Baha’s counsel encourages us not to view our enemies as inherently bad or beyond redemption but rather as souls who, like ourselves, have the potential for growth and transformation. By recognizing the divine spark within every person, including those we might consider our enemies, we begin to shift from a place of judgment to one of compassion. True friendship, based on my limited understanding of the Baha’i teachings, is not based on surface-level interactions, but on the recognition of the inherent dignity and potential for good in all people.

As Baha’u’llah teaches:

“O SON OF SPIRIT! I created thee rich, why dost thou bring thyself down to poverty? Noble I made thee, wherewith dost thou abase thyself? Out of the essence of knowledge I gave thee being, why seekest thou enlightenment from anyone beside Me? Out of the clay of love I molded thee, how dost thou busy thyself with another? Turn thy sight unto thyself, that thou mayest find Me standing within thee, mighty, powerful and self-subsisting.”2

This passage reminds us that the goal of human life is to reflect the nobility and potential inherent in every soul. When we elevate our view of others, we begin to see beyond their current actions and understand that each soul is capable of change.

Rising Above the Illusions of Evil

Abdu’l-Baha also teaches that we should not see evil as a permanent, intrinsic characteristic of others–but rather see it as the absence of good. Evil, in this sense, reflects ignorance or lack of spiritual insight, not a fundamental flaw in a person’s soul. This understanding can free us from the need to vilify others and allows us to act with love and wisdom, even in difficult situations.

When we view others through the lens of their potential to grow spiritually, we can recognize that every human being has the capacity to move toward goodness, regardless of their current actions. This allows us to offer them the same compassion we would wish for ourselves, even in the face of adversity.

The Spirituality of True Forgiveness

Forgiveness is at the heart of this teaching. Abdu’l-Baha emphasizes that forgiving those who wrong us is not an act of weakness, but a powerful choice to free ourselves from the chains of anger and bitterness. In this process, we release the burden of resentment, which opens the door to peace and our own spiritual growth.

Baha’u’llah states:

“The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee.”3

True justice is rooted in the application of love and understanding. It does not seek retribution but offers a path to healing and reconciliation. Forgiving does not imply that we condone wrongdoing, but rather that we see beyond the harm to the potential for growth in both ourselves and others.

In Vignettes from the Life of Abdu’l-Baha, Abdu’l-Baha is quoted as saying:

“If one of you has been wounded in the heart by the words or deeds of another, during the past year, forgive him now; that in purity of heart and loving pardon, you may feast in happiness, and arise, renewed in spirit.”4

By forgiving others, we not only release ourselves from the weight of bitterness but also create the possibility for true reconciliation and unity, both within our own hearts and in our relationships with others.

Transforming the World Through Love

In reflecting on this subject, I have come to understand that love is the most powerful force for change in the world. When we choose to respond to those who harm us with love, compassion, and understanding, we create ripples of change that extend far beyond our individual lives. In this way, we contribute to the creation of a more just, peaceful, and unified world.

As Baha’u’llah teaches:

“So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.”5

This is the transformative power of love: it not only changes individuals but has the potential to transform society. Love is the force that binds us together as a global family, transcending differences and creating a world based on unity and peace.

Conclusion

Abdu’l-Baha’s profound words in the first quote above challenge us to transcend our animalistic instincts and view those we perceive as enemies through the lens of forgiveness. When we see the inherent potential for good in every human being—whether they are friend or not—we contribute to the spiritual transformation of ourselves and the world around us. This is the power of love: to turn enemies into friends, to turn hatred into understanding, and to transform darkness into light. In this way, we answer the call to create a more unified and compassionate world, one soul at a time.

  1. Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 454 []
  2. Baha’u’llah, The Hidden Words, Arabic 13 []
  3. Baha’u’llah, The Hidden Words, Arabic 21 []
  4. Honnold, Annamarie, Vignettes from the Life of Abdu’l-Baha, p. 49 []
  5. Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah []
Posted by

Mojgan Sami

Mojgan (Mo) Sami, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Public Health at California State University Fullerton. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the American Heart Association of Orange County, Inland Empire and Coachella Valley and works with community partners on social and health justice in southern California. Her research on the structural determinants of health includes projects on the ways that systems and environments impact health and wellbeing. Dr. Sami has advisory roles with the World Health Organization and the International Union of Health Promotion and Education.
Mojgan Sami

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