Anger is a very strong emotion that often leads us to trouble if not channelled in a correct manner. We either displace our anger at someone or something else, say things that we later regret or we may even harm ourselves in this state of extreme anger.
Yadna Sulaiman ibn Sarad (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) narrates, that two men were abusing each other in front of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. One of the two got so furious that his face turned red and his veins became swollen. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ looked at him and said, “I know a kalma, that if he says it, it can help him get rid of this condition. That kalma is:
أعوذبالله من الشيطان الرجيم
“I seek refuge from Allah from the outcast Shaitan.”
One man, who heard this saying of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, went to the angry man and said, “Do you know what the Messenger of Allah ﷺ” said just now? He replied, “No”. The man said, “Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that I know a kalma, that if you say it, your anger will go away. That kalma is: أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم “Aoodhu billahi min Shaitan ar-Rajim.” The man said, “Do you consider me mad?”
(Sahih Bukhari: 3282; Bada’Alkhalq / Sahih Muslim: 2610; Albar / words from Sahih Muslim)
Anger is a moral disease which, if not treated promptly and correctly, can cause mutual disagreement, jealousy, hatred, bloodshed, divorce and sometimes becomes a curse upon one’s wealth and children. Therefore, it is necessary for a person, who is keen for success in his faith, to treat this disease.
It should be noted that the most successful and the best treatment to cure anger is the one that has been mapped out by Islam. So, as we ponder upon Qu’ran and Sunnah, we find many cures for this disease. Some of those are provided in a nutshell below:
Obedience to Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) and His Messenger ﷺ:
A believer should think that Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) and His Messenger ﷺ command him to be patient when angered and forgive the mistakes of people.
Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) says in Qur’an:
وَلَا تَسْتَوِي الْحَسَنَةُ وَلَا السَّيِّئَةُ ۚ ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ فَإِذَا الَّذِي بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُ عَدَاوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُ وَلِيٌّ حَمِيمٌ
“And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend.”
[Surah Al-Fussilat:34]
The commentator of the Qur’an, Ibn ‘Abbas (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) said, “This verse guides one to be patient in times of anger and to forgive evil.” [Sahih Bukhari]
Think over the bad consequences:
One of the best remedies for anger is to consider the aftereffects in this world and the hereafter. Sometimes a person speaks in anger or commits an act that destroys his life in both the worlds.
Prevention:
Avoid such instances and situations that cause or increase anger. Remove yourself from the place where you know you are bound to be get aggravated and will lead you to a state of intense anger.
Intention to gain reward:
Keep in consideration the reward promised for controlling anger; such as:
1.The love of Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) and His Messenger ﷺ:
Controlling anger is a source of attaining the love of Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) and His Messenger ﷺ. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ, said to a man who belonged to Banu Qais:
“There are two habits in you which Allah and His Messenger ﷺ like, i.e., tolerance and earnestness.”
(Sahih Muslim )
Tolerance means to be patient in spite of the power of revenge in a state of anger.
2.Entry into Jannah:
Another reward for controlling anger is entry into Paradise.
One of the Companions asked, “O Messenger of Allah, tell me an action that if I follow it, I will get Paradise. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, “Do not be angry, you will get Paradise.”
(Tibrani Alawsat)
3.Protection from the wrath of Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ):
Controlling anger is a means of protection from the wrath of Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ).
A person asked the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, “what is the action that protects me from the wrath of Allah. He replied, “Do not be angry (Allah will not be angry with you).”
(Musnad Ahmed Riwayat Abdullah bin Umaro)
4.Accomplish great rewards:
Controlling anger helps achieve great reward.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“To Allah, there is no gulp that brings a greater reward than a gulp of anger, that a man swallows (suppresses)”.
(Ibn Maja Riwaya Abdullah bin Umaro)
5.Maiden of Jannah:
Controlling one’s anger is the means of getting the maidens of Paradise. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said,
“Whoever chooses to tolerate in spite of the power of revenge, Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) will call him on the Day of Resurrection in front of all the creatures and tell him to go and choose any maiden of Paradise that he desires”.
(Abu Dawood Tirmidi Riwayat Anas bin Maaz)
6.Change state:
An angry person should try to change his place / situation. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said,
“When one of you gets angry, he should sit down and if he is sitting, he should lie down. And if he deems it appropriate, he should leave the place and go away.”
(Sunan abu Dawood Riwayat Abu Zar)
7.Silence:
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said,
“Teach (i.e., teach people); give glad tidings and do not be harsh.” He repeated this three times; then he said again, “If one gets angry, let him be silent”.
(Musnad Ahmed Riwayat Ibn Abbass)
May Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) help us to understand and act. Aameen.
