Concern about criticism: Arrogance
A mureed complained that when people talk negatively about you it hurts me and my heart aches.
Hakeemul Ummat Mawlana Shah Ashraf Ali Thanawi ra replied;
There are a multitude of people who talk badly about Allah SWT, His messenger (salallaho alehey wasalam), and the mujtahideen (fiqh-jurist). Have you done any thing to stop that? If not, then why does it hurt you when poor Ashraf Ali is censured and you feel concerned about stopping this?
There is nothing in this attitude except kibir (arrogance).
It annoys you when your seniors are censured. You feel humiliated at this. This is a hidden deception of nafs (ego/lower self).
Suppose, even if it is not kibir (arrogance). Then I ask, why you felt concerned that nobody says any thing good or bad (regarding my seniors). What harm did it cause to you? If you had focused on the goal (of tareeq, i.e. seeking perpetual pleasure of Allah SWT) you could not have time to waste on these petty issues.
Hakeemul Ummat ra kay hayret-angez waqiyat, page 81
'abd | C. Blame worthy Morals, Q. Akabir