Anger Over Humiliation

Advice of Hadhrat Mufti Mahmood Hassan Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alayh)

Question:

Hadhrat Mufti Sahib,

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-raḥmatullāhi wa-barakātuh

I am suffering from a (spiritual) illness. Whenever anybody belittles or humiliates me, I become enraged. Please remedy this weakness in me.

Answer:

Beloved Brother,

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-raḥmatullāhi wa-barakātuh

The remedy is extremely easy provided that you have the courage. Whenever anybody belittles or humiliates you, immediately ponder thus: “I have committed various other sins. My character is also poor. I carry much impurity within my body all the time. Hence, if somebody belittles or humiliates me, SO WHAT? He has not even come close to the reality (of my evils).

Furthermore, whatever happens in this world is first sanctioned from above (by Allah Ta‘ala). Only then does it become apparent here. My being humiliated was also sanctioned from above, hence it has occurred. Why then do I become angry???

Besides this, whatever occurrence upsets me takes place as a compensation for my sins. I should therefore be grateful to the one humiliating me that as a result of this, my sins are being forgiven.”[1]


[1] (Hadhrat Mufti Mahmood Hasan Gangohi raḥimahullāh His life and works, Publsh. Ta’limi Board, KZN, Pg 245)