A spiritual aspirant wrote,

For a long duration I am afflicted with this spiritual disease of being harsh when speaking the truth explicitly. People are hurt by it, sometimes forever and on other occasions momentarily.

After (this happens) I feel excessively distressed for hurting the feelings of an individual. Sometimes I apologize but still I feel sorry. I also make dua often after salah. Asking Allah for facilitation in controlling my speech, so that I do not indulge in useless talk.

I wanted to write about this illness to you for a long time, however, yesterday you spoke about the Prophet’s (Allah bless him and grant him peace) saying من سلم المسلمون. It reminded me of this. I humbly request you to, please, prescribe a treatment for it.

Hakim al Umma Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Allah have mercy on him) replied,

‘For few days restrict yourself from advising and instructing (nasiha) others.

Remember this and with determination act on it.

Implementing this for some days will, InshaAllah, create a balance.

However, if there is an occasion where you consider that instruction is mandatory (wajib) then ask another individual to say it. In this way a mandatory duty will not be abandoned. ‘

Tarbiyet us Salik, volume 2, chapter 3, p 168