Author: Abdul Hameed Gurgij
Anger and Rage (Part Four)
The Superiority of Tolerance and Criticism of Anger
Of course, it is clear that anger and rage in humans are instinctive and natural, and they are only blamed, criticized, or praised in terms of their effects and results. Therefore, someone who gets angry and suppresses their anger is praised, while someone who becomes angry and subsequently commits a shameful and embarrassing act is certainly blamed and criticized to the extent of the act they have committed. Whenever the legislator of Sharia orders someone not to be angry, it means they should not succumb to the effects and results of anger and should use their intellect and reasoning, guided by the measure and standard of Sharia, and constantly remember this commandment of Allah, who says: «وَسَارِعُوا إِلَى مَغْفِرَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالْأَرْضُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ، الَّذِينَ يُنْفِقُونَ فِى السَّرَاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ وَالْكَاظِمِينَ الْغَيْظَ وَالْعَافِينَ عَنِ النَّاسِ وَاللهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ» Translation: “And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord, and (enter) a Garden as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the righteous. Those who spend in ease and hardship, and suppress anger, and are forgiving to people. And Allah loves the doers of good.”
He also says: «خُذِ الْعَفْوَ وَأْمُرْ بِالْعُرْفِ وَأَعْرِضْ عَنِ الْجَاهِلِينَ.» Translation: “Make forgiveness your profession, and enjoin what is right, and turn away from the ignorant.”
And He says: «وَلَا تَسْتَوِي الْحَسَنَةُ وَلَا السَّيِّئَةُ ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ فَإِذَا الَّذِي بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُ عَدَاوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُ وَلِيُّ حَمِيمٌ.» Translation: “And goodness is not the same as evil. Repel evil with that which is better; then you will see the one between you and him is enmity become as though he was a close friend.”
It was narrated from Ibn Abbas (MABH) that the Prophet (PBUH) said to Ashba Abdul Qays: «إِنَّ فيكَ خَصْلَتَيْنِ يُحِبُّهُما اللهُ: الحِلْمُ والأَناةُ» Translation: “There are two qualities in you that Allah loves: humility and patience.”
It was narrated from Ayesha (may Allah bless her) that the Prophet (PBUH) said: «إِنَّ اللهَ رَفيقُ يُحِبُّ الرّفْقَ وَيُعْطِي عَلَى الرِّفْقِ مَالَا يُعْطِي عَلَى العُنْفِ، أَوْ مَالاً يُعْطِي عَلَى مَاسِواه» Translation: “Indeed, Allah is Merciful and loves kindness, and He gives a kind and well-mannered person a reward and goodness that He does not give to a harsh and cruel person or to anyone else.”
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah (MABH) that a man asked the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) to advise him with a short and instructive sentence. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: «لاَ تَغْضَبْ» Translation: “Never get angry.” The man repeated his request several times, and the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) gave the same answer.
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: «لَيْسَ الشَّدِيدُ بِالصُّرْعَةِ، إِنَّمَا الشَّدِيدُ الَّذِي يَمْلِكُ نَفْسَهُ عِنْد الغَضَبِ» Translation: “A strong and powerful person is not the one who throws another to the ground, but rather the one who masters and controls his own spirit when he is angry.”
Hamid bin Abdul Rahman narrated that one of the Sahaba of the Prophet (PBUH) said a person came to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and asked him to give him short and meaningful advice. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: «لا تَغْضَبْ» Translation: “Never get angry.” The man thought about the saying of the Prophet (PBUH) and realized that extreme anger and rage certainly encompass all evil.
It was narrated from Sulayman ibn Sard (MABH) that he said: Two men cursed and insulted each other in the presence of the Prophet (PBUH). One of them became angry; his face turned red, and the veins in his neck bulged. The Prophet (PBUH) looked at him and said: «إِنّى لَأَعْلَمُ كَلِمَةً لَوْ قَالَهَا لَذَهَبَ عَنْهُ ذَا: أَعُوذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطانِ الرَّجِيمِ» Translation: “I know a statement that if he says it, his anger will definitely be dispelled. Say: I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan.”
The man heard the Prophet’s statement and went to the other and said: “Do you know what the Prophet said a few minutes ago?” He replied: “No, I don’t know!” The man said: “The Prophet said: I know a statement that if he says it, his anger will definitely be removed, and that is: I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan.” The other man responded: “Do you think I am crazy?!” As can be seen, the statement of this man who became angry indicates a kind of moral and ideological decline, which does not accept the guidance of the Messenger of Allah, PBUH. This is why many scholars have said: “This man was hypocritical concerning that statement of the Messenger of Allah.”
In another hadith from Tirmidhi, which he considered a Sahih Hadith, it is reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said: «أَلَا وَإِنَّ الغَضَبَ جمَرَةٌ فِي قَلْبِ ابن آدَمَ، أَمَّا رَأَيْتُمْ إِلَى حُمْرَةِ عَيْنيهِ وَإِنتِفَاجُ أَوْدَام فَمَنْ أَحَسَّ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ ذَالِكَ فَلْيَلْتَصِقُ بالأرْضِ» Translation: “Be aware that anger is a piece of fire placed in the heart of a human being. Don’t you see how an angry person’s eyes become red and the veins in his neck swell? So, whoever feels this way should sit on the ground to relieve his anger.”
Hasan Basri has said about the effects and consequences of intense anger and rage: “O son of man! Whenever you become very angry, it is not unlikely that you will act so that you will enter Hell due to the effects of anger.”
Khoythama said: “The devil says: How can a son of man overcome me? Whenever he is pleased, I take up residence in his heart, and whenever he becomes angry, I come out and take up residence in his head.”
Umar ibn Abdul Aziz sent a letter to one of his agents, reminding him: “When you are angry with someone, do not harass him, but detain him temporarily until your anger subsides. Then, when your anger subsides, release him and punish him with fifteen medium lashes, no more, in proportion to the sin and error he committed.”
Ali ibn Zayd said: “A man from Quraysh spoke harshly and rudely to Umar ibn Abdul Aziz. Umar ibn Abdul Aziz lowered his head for a while and said nothing! Then he addressed him and said: You wanted to provoke Satan against me with power and might. What has come to me from you today will also come to you from me later.”
It is said: A man said to Umar ibn Abdul Aziz: “I testify that you are one of the wicked.” Umar ibn Abdul Aziz replied: “Your testimony is not accepted.”
Mahmoud Waraq said in this regard: “I commit myself to forgiving and passing over every wrongdoing, even if the crimes against me are many. A person is one of three things: he is nobler and higher than me, lower than me, or equal to me.
So, whoever is higher than me, I recognize his dignity and status and respect his rights; it is necessary to respect the rights of others.
And whoever is lower than me, I will give them what they ask for, even if someone criticizes me.
And if someone equal to me commits a mistake or slips, I will show them greatness and forgiveness since they are virtuous and rule with goodness.”
Treatment of Anger
It has been mentioned in many hadiths that anger can be cured and eliminated by performing wudu and bathing. It can also be alleviated by changing the physical position of the angry person. If he is standing, he should immediately sit down or lie down and seek refuge in Allah from the evil of Satan. This solution has been scientifically and psychologically proven to cure anger, as the Prophet (PBUH) said: «إِنَّ الغَضَبَ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ وَ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ خُلِقَ مِنَ النَّارِ، وَإِنَّمَا تُطْفَأُ النَّارُ بِالماءِ، فَإِذَا غَضِبَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَتَوضَّأ» Translation: “Anger is from the devil, and the devil was created from fire, and fire is extinguished with water. So, when one of you becomes angry, let him perform Wudu with water.”
The Prophet (PBUH) also said: «إِذَا غَضِبَ أَحَدُكُمْ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ فَلْيَجْلِسْ، فَإِنْ ذَهَبَ عَنْهُ الغَضَبُ وَإِلا فَلْيَضْطَجِعْ» Translation: “When one of you becomes angry while standing, he should sit down. If his anger passes away, then he should lie down.”
Yes, this is where we understand very well that what today’s scientists and psychologists present regarding the treatment of anger and the elimination of its harmful and detrimental effects is, in fact, what the great Prophet of Islam (PBUH) stated more than fourteen centuries ago. Therefore, those who spread sedition and deception must wake up and study and investigate the teachings and solutions of their religion so that they may find in those statements and teachings what is sufficient and beneficial for them.
Conclusion
When angry, one should seek help from wisdom and thoughtful reflection. A strong intellect can overcome and control anger by following it; because wisdom is like the sun in the dark nights of life and a bright lamp in the darkness. Therefore, in the fight against anger, we must strengthen wisdom and give it strength. A person can see the outcome and effects of anger through the lens of wisdom and thought, and by reflecting on its consequences, they can avoid using anger. This examination of the outcome and end of things saves a person from many dangers.
Continues
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