(Correspondence of Hazrat Mufti Mahmood Hasan Gangohi rahimahullah)
Letter: Due to painful experiences with people, the disease of having ill-thoughts and suspicion has become my nature, and I become restless and fearful when mixing with people. Kindly advise as to how this malady may be rectified.
Reply: Due to one’s experiences with some people to harbour ill-thoughts and suspicion against others is detested. The moment some ill-thought comes to mind, immediately ponder thus: “I have so many faults and sins. I am not innocent. Yet, I am hopeful of the forgiveness of Allah Ta’ala. In the same way others may also be forgiven by Him. However, if I am taken to task due to harbouring ill-thoughts, what answer will I give? On the other hand it is possible that there is some hidden good quality in these people, due to which all their sins will be converted into good deeds on the day of Qiyaamah. (Maktoobaat vol. 5, pg. 26)