Despising Others – Faqihul Ummah – Hazrat Mufti Mahmood Hasan Gangohi (رحمة الله)
A selection of letters pertaining to various spiritual maladies and their replies from the pen of Faqihul Ummah (رحمة الله)
Despising Others
Bismihi Ta’ala
Respected Mufti Saheb
As Salaamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuh
Whenever I notice anybody doing something against the shariah, such as swearing, etc., I immediately begin despising the person. My nafs then says to me: “You are much better than him. Others besides you are all despicable.” I humbly request Hazrat to help me remedy this situation.
Bismihi Ta’ala
Respected Brother
As Salaamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuh
To despise a person upon observing him committing a sin is itself a serious crime (Only the sin should be despised – never despise the person). At such a time one should consider one’s own sins. You should address yourself thus: “there are numerous vices in me, which I am fully aware of. How absolutely despicable I have become due to these sins1 on the day of Qiyamah, I will be questioned about my own sins, not about the vices of others.”
The Qur`an states: “you (O people) are not responsible for what I (Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam) do and I am not responsible for what you do.” To despise anyone is a sin on its own – and a very serious one too. It is NOT a trivial matter. Allah Ta’ala will question me on the day of judgement: “if my servants committed any wrong, what right do you have to despise them? (What will I then answer?)”
Ponder over the above regularly. Insha-allah, you will benefit from it. (Maktoobaat- Vol.1, Pg.96)
Remedy for pride
The questioner has apparently requested for advice with regards to the remedy of pride. Hereunder is the reply to the question
Bismihi Ta’ala
Respected brother
Asalaamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuh
The remedy of pride is to ponder constantly over one’s various conditions. Ponder over the following: “what was I, what have I become and what will I end up as? Initially I was a drop of impure semen. Thereafter in the womb of the mother, the blood of the menses gradually took the shape of limbs. When life was infused into this body, the very blood of the menses now became the nourishment for this body. Thereafter, upon the expiry of nine months, I was born with much difficulty. For a lengthy period after birth, I remained helpless and could not do anything for my self. Neither could I discern the good from the bad. What ever that came into my hand, whatever pure or impure, I put into my mouth. In short, I have passed trough so many different stages in my life. Eventually I will end up in the grave. There my body will become food for worms.”
It is reported in a Hadith that Allah Ta’ala says: “Pride is my garment.” Any person who adopts pride for himself is in reality snatching the garment of Allah Ta’ala. The result of this is obvious – it will lead to the fire of Jahannum.
The one should constantly ponder over these aspects and reflect that, if this is one’s condition and reality, what right does one have to be proud??? (from original manuscript).
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