A person came to me in Keraanah (a village in India) to become bay’it. He also brought a tray of sweetmeats but with someone else carrying it. I realized that this person had an effect of pride in him (otherwise he would have carried it himself, but considered it below his dignity). Incidentally, I had to visit a few places, so I told him that I have to go and see a certain person and don’t have the time to make him bay’it there. If he wanted to join me maybe I will make him bay’it there. He now joins me carrying the tray in his own hands.

After reaching, I told him the same i.e. there is no time here, let us go to the next place. I had him carrying this tray around from house to house for two hours. I also ensured that we pass through the market-place so that people could see him carrying this tray. After being vexed for quite a while, and realizing that this evil of pride has left him, I finally made him bay’it and also explained to him the wisdom of my action.

Thus, a malady (pride) which is sometimes not eradicated through years of effort and devotion, by the Grace of Allah, was eradicated in this manner within two hours!

Source:

Advices of  Hakimul Ummat Hazrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (رحمه الله). Translated into English by Maulana Yusuf Laher