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Correspondence of Faqihul Ummah - Hazrat Mufti Mahmood Hasan Gangohi (R.A)
A selection of letters pertaining to various spiritual maladies and their replies from the pen of Faqihul Ummah
Riya (Ostentation) Ujub (Vanity)
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)
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).
Bismihi Ta'ala
Respected Mufti Saheb
As Salaamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuh
I am presently involved in a spiritual malady. Due to some bad experiences, I have now become extremely skeptical and untrusful about the common people as well as the leaned one's. I have ill thoughts about people in general. Hence, I detest associating with people. Please guide me in this predicament.
Bismihi Ta'ala
Respected Brother
As Salaamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuh
To harbour ill thoughts about people (whether they may be from masses or the learned) due to their condition, is an evil and detestable act. Whenever an ill thought creeps into your mind regarding any person, be he a learned person or just a common sinner, you should reflect on your own shortcomings and think: “How many faults and sins I have committed. I am not sinless. However, I do hope that Allah Ta'ala will forgive me. Likewise, others could also be forgiven. If I am taken to task due to harbouring ill thoughts, what answers will I have? It is possible that this person could be forgiven due to some splendid action, which is unknown to me. Hence, all his sins would then be replaced with rewards.2 Allah Ta'ala says: “they are the one's whom Allah Ta'ala will grant them rewards in place of their sins (i.e. the sins will be forgiven and they will be replaced by rewards.)” (Maktoobaat – vol.1, Pg.80)
Riya (Ostentation) Ujub (Vanity)
Bismihi Ta'ala
Respected Mufti Saheb
As Salaamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuh
Kindly explain what are “Riya” and “Ujub”.
Respected Brother
As Salaamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuh
Riya (ostentation) means to perform any act of worship to show others. Allah Ta'ala detests Riya since it is tantamount to shirk (ascribing partners with Allah Ta'ala). On the day of Qiyamah Allah Ta'ala will announce “I detest shirk. Therefore, the one who has ascribed any partner with me in any ibaadat, he should seek the reward for the same from the partner that he ascribed to me.” Therefore, one should reflect that, for instance, one performs salah to obtain the grace of Allah Ta'ala. He adopts full humanity and devotion so that Allah Ta'ala may be pleased. However, if Riya creeps into this action and he begins to perform it for somebody else, all his efforts are in vain. Besides, on the day of Qiyamah it will be announced regarding him that he was involved in Riya. Then he will face humiliation and disgrace and he will find his book of good deeds to be empty.
Ujub (vanity) refers to the condition where a person thinks good of his actions or his opinions (i.e. he regards himself to be a very worthy and capable person in thought and deeds). When such thoughts come to mind, one should reflect upon one's sins and think: “I have committed so many sins hence how can I be elated about myself. If my sins had to be exposed, how despised and disgraced I will be among the people.” Sit in solitude and ponder over this. Insha Allah one will be freed from riya and ujub. May allah taala cleanse us from these maladies. Ameen.
Bismihi Ta'ala
Respected Mufti Saheb
As Salaamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuh
I am afflicted with the evil of jealousy. Please advice me of how I can overcome this affliction.
Respected Brother
As Salaamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuh
Jealously in reality is to be angry with Allah Ta'ala. It is as if you are questioning Allah Ta'ala as to why some bounty was given to another person whereas you were more deserving and worthy of it! ? (Allah forbid)
The remedy of this disease is to bestow gifts to the one over whom you are jealous of, make salaam to him and shake his hands, invite him for meals and constantly make dua for him. Insha-Allah your heart will be cleansed of the jealousy.
Bismihi Ta'ala
Respected Mufti Saheb
As Salaamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuh
I have acquired an extremely evil habit of backbiting. I also quickly start thinking ill of others. Kindly help me overcome this malady.
Respected Brother
As Salaamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuh
A person generally indulges in backbiting others and thinks ill of them because he regards them as an opposition. However, in the process he transfers all his good deeds to the one who he thought ill of or who he had made ghee bat of. Consider what utter foolishness this is? The one whom one is angry with, one transfers one's good deed to the very person by backbiting him. Does one give such a person (whom one is annoyed with) one's wealth and material belongings? Never. Then how is one suddenly prepared to give away one's good deeds to him on the Day of Qiyamah and become destitute? Ponder over this deeply and repeatedly until it firmly settles into the recesses of the heart. May Allah Ta'ala grant you and I the ability to practice.
(Maktoobaat, Vol. 1, Pg.137)
Bismihi Ta'ala
Respected Mufti Saheb
As Salaamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuh
I am afflicted with various spiritual maladies. Among them is that if anyone praises me I become elated and my ego is boosted. On the other hand if somebody criticizes me or I learn that somebody has spoken ill of me, I become enraged. Kindly guide me in this matter.
Bismihi Ta'ala
Respected Brother
As Salaamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuh
Generally, there are numerous spiritual ailments that affect the heart. If an effort is not made to “treat” and rectify them, they could become much worse. If the praise of people causes your ego to be boosted, immediately reflect upon your shortcomings and think thus: “This person is not aware of my sins, hence he is praising me. If he becomes aware of my sins, instead of showering praises he will begin to hate and despise me. How greatly has Allah Ta'ala favoured me that he has concealed my faults? If Allah Ta'ala totally forgives my sins and saves me in future from all transgression, this will indeed be my tremendous good fortune (and something to be elated and trilled about).”
If someone criticized you or speaks ill of you, you should ponder that one whose inception is from a drop of dirty fluid is indeed most impure. Why then should such an impure person (l) become enraged upon being criticized? Furthermore, if somebody has spoken ill of you, whereas in reality Allah Ta'ala has saved you from that aspect (that was spoken about0, and then the person who has spoken ill of you has erred. However this is much better (that people speak ill of you in error) than being praised for something which one is not worthy of! (Maktoobaat, Vol. 1, Pg.80)
Bismihi Ta'ala
Respected Mufti Saheb
As Salaamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuh
I cannot protect my eyes (from sin). Please advice me on how to overcome this malady.
Bismihi Ta'ala
Respected Brother
As Salaamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuh
Allah Ta'ala has created natural means for the eyes from all sin. With every eye Allah Ta'ala has created two shutters-one at the top and another at the bottom. When one's sight falls in the wrong place, immediately close both these shutters.
There is also another means of uprooting this disease (of gazing at ghair mahrams-women with whom marriage is permissible). Sit in solitude, close your eyes and recite the following verse: “Alam ya'lam bi an-nallaha yaraa” (Trans: Does he not know that verily Allah is watching?) {Surah 96, Verse 14}. While reciting this verse ponder over the following: “If I am in the presence of my father, Ustaad or spiritual mentor and a strange woman (ghair mahrams) passes, would I look at her? Most definitely not! How can I then look at any women in the presence of Allah who is watching at all times.”
Practice this for ten minutes each day. Over and above that, whenever the opportunity arises ponder over this until it becomes embedded in the heart.
May Allah Ta'ala help us. (Maktoobaat- Vol.1, pg.42)
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