This is a reader contribution.
Anger
By: Raakin Hossain
“A strong man is not one who defeats another in physical combat. Verily, a strong man is he who controls himself at the time of anger.†(Bukhari/Muslim)
To mankind there are two devils. One is, of course, the Shaitan. To avoid his whispers, one would seek refuge in Allah from the Shaitan by the recitation of: audhoo billahi minashaytaanir Rajeem. However, there is a devil more powerful and persuading than the Shaitan. That is the lower/inner self. This lower self is embedded within each creature, dictating us towards our desires. To suppress these evil forces, one has to learn to control and obey.
Anger is natural to the human being, and anger arousement is not a sin. On the other hand, Allah has also endowed us with willpower. If we are unable to do so, it would be considered opposing the rights of human nature. As Insaan, however, it is within our scope to succumb. The become angry is involuntary, but to advocate or activate it’s symptoms is artificial; just as refraining from it is unnatural.
By Islamic law, one is not permitted to rule in or out any verdict in the state of anger. In any political case, one should be in the best of positions and states. Anger will lead to biasness and unfairness, which leads to falsehood and corruption. For non-political cases, such as the household, the angering of the family is considered to be the cause of the anger of Allah. Rasaulullah (Sallallahu Alayhe Wasallam) said that “the pleasure of Allah is in the pleasure of the father, and the displeasure of Allah is in the displeasure of the pleasure.†(Tirmidhi) It is also said that to avoid Allah’s wrath, one should succumb and suppress his anger.
A common refutation to the cause and effects of anger are the Ahadith related to the Prophet’s actions during the time of anger. However, the anger of the Prophet was not in relation to self-offense. His anger was due to ignorance of Allah’s being. Besides, anger is as equal to our limbs and flesh, an inmate from birth. If it is not guided to something useful, anger can destroy, disrupt, or possess a person’s life, wealth, and possessions. One of the leading deaths in the world is murder, homicide, suicide, and hate crimes. The roots of these felonies are anger. How many times have we heard of a person sentenced to a life-time prison due to a rash or harsh act?
Our scholars say that anger has four reasons. It is either protecting one’s livelihood, guarding one’s dignity, anger caused by ignorance, or jealousy. When a poor person has his wealth usurped or an unfair share of his earnings, it would be natural for him to become angry. When one reaches a certain status, whether it be in social or business-related, dignity can be of equivalent importance as his wealth and family. The third reason was ignorance. For this, our scholars give an example of a scholar and him viewing someone abusing the rights of a book. Because of the scholar’s vast wisdom, his respect for books and other sources of knowledge is greater than the one who has not studied as much. Lastly, jealousy: a man’s pride and desire for another’s mal-being. These four reasons, for the most part, cover all aspects of anger.
Just as an ordinary action in life can only be perfected through practice, the exercise of guarding ones self from these diseases fall under the same category. If one constantly opposes the effects of anger, the anger will soon relinquish itself from that person. Soon after, controlling one’s anger will become a relatively simple task.
Allah states that for every disease and every difficult situation comes an ease and cure. This also applies to the spiritual embodiment. The common remedial process for anger is, when standing, to sit down, or when sitting, to lay down. Another process is to drink cool liquid, preferably water, and to perform Wudhu. The scholars say that reading cools the flames of anger. If all fails, then to keep out of presence from the one or object that has angered you.
The reduction of anger, its remedies, causes, and effects vary. Sometimes one’s face will become red, or one will perform a strange act. If one can oppose the rights of anger, then one will be blessed with peace and dignity. Anger stirs frustration, jealousy, and pride. Anger in itself is no crime, but acting upon its symptoms is. The Prophet has showed us how to cleanse ourselves both inwards and outwards. If we follow his practices, Insha’Allah we will be guided to the Siratul Mustaqim.
2 Responses to “Anger – by Raakin Hoosein”
February 9, 2009
MuhammadGreat Article!! Jazaka Allah Khair
February 9, 2009
Mullah Hafeezud DinAssalaamu Alaikum,
Maashaa Allah, Hafiz Raakin, what a great article.
May Allah Taa’la reward you abundantly for all your efforts and enable you to continue with this good work. Aameen
Remember me in your du’aa.
Wasaalaam Ma’al Ikraam,
Hafeezud Din