Anger

I want you to imagine this scenario. Of course, the details will not apply to everyone, but try to make it relative for the purposes of this blog.

You’re at the gym and you’re having one of those days where you just feel on top of the world. You’re having a great workout and you’re breaking PB’s (personal bests). So, safe to say, you’re feeling pretty strong!

You finish the workout on a good note and you leave the gym. You get into your car and drive off maybe dreaming of that amazing post workout meal you’re about to have, and in some cases, the attention you may get from your friends or social media to assume you’re just that strong!

As you’re driving, someone cuts you off, admittedly, they were wrong but all in all, you’re safe and nothing happen. However, you’re the kind of person that is diagnosed with the famous “Road Rage”, so, you do what anyone in this situation with this condition would do – roll down your window and give them a piece of your mind. Maybe you’ll take it a step further and try start a fight? Who knows?

But, there is one thing we do know – your inability to control your anger has, if anything, proven that you are not as strong as you thought you were and, if anything, would be considered as ‘weak’ in the sense that you are unable to control yourself.

Have you heard the saying, “1 minute spent in anger is 60 seconds of happiness lost”? Time is ticking, we all know this, we know the time we lose we won’t get back. So in essence, you’ve just wasted time being angry, doing something you don’t really like to do, feeling a way you don’t like to feel and perhaps ending with regret.

You see, the Holy Prophet(pbuh&hp) has said: Manliness does not depend on physical strength. Rather it depends on the ability to restrain anger.¹

In one of the battles Imam Ali(as) partook in, he fought against a man known as Amr bin wud. This man wasn't just any soldier. He was well known for his fighting skills. Nonetheless, the battle took place and of course Imam Ali(as) over powered him!

Now, here is the part of the lesson. It is said that when Imam Ali(as) was about to strike him, he paused for a moment, and according to some, walked off a little, returned and finished the job. 

Until he was asked about this and replied by saying, "when I was about to strike him, he spat at my face which angered me. I did not want to strike him through my anger. So I cooled down and ensured that I am finishing the task purely for Allah"

If you really want to know who is the strongest, according to the Holy Prophet, then know that he said: Shall I tell you who is the toughest and strongest from among you? The one who controls himself when he is angry. ²

Anger is an emotion embed in us since young, it’s a form of language to display that we are unhappy with a certain action or thing and are expressing our views, albeit negatively.

The reality is, when we act on our anger, we are more than likely going to end with regret. As anger in itself clouds one’s judgement and makes one think or act in ways they wouldn’t usually do so. Furthermore, using anger as a justification for a wrong action is never accepted. Which is why we always say that one who makes a mistake must suffer the consequences of their own actions. I personally have never seen a judge let someone off the hook, simply on the pretense of “I was angry”, nothing more.

It is for this reason that Imam Ali(as) says: Rage is a type of madness because the enraged feels regret later on, and if he does not feel regret, then his madness has become ingrained.³

If you go ahead and search the definition of madness, it is: The state of having a serious mental illness. Extremely foolish behavior. A state of wild or chaotic activity.

None of these definitions sound appealing, to be honest. If anything, they seem pretty insulting. Though, you should know this in order to understand how anger can affect you.

There’s more you need to understand about the effects of Anger. Allah(swt) says in Chapter 35 Verse 6: Indeed, Satan is an enemy to you; so take him as an enemy. Now, The Prophet(pbuh&hp) says: Anger is a smouldering ember (kindled by) Satan.⁴ So essentially, anger is that which is instigated and kindled by Satan. Put the verse I just mentioned in connection with the narration and you will paint a picture. Allah(swt) is telling you that Satan is your enemy and the Prophet(pbuh&hp) is telling you that anger is kindled by Satan. Basic, right? This simply comes to show that when one gets angry and acts upon it, you’re kinda doing the devils work, as some would say?

Therefore, Imam Ali(as) says: One who overcomes his anger has gained victory over Satan. AND, Satan is victorious over one who has been overcome by his anger.⁵

So, what do we do when we are angry? The Prophet(pbuh&hp) says: Oh Ali, do not get angry, and if you do get angry, then sit down and reflect upon the power of your Lord over His creation and His clemency towards them. And whenever anyone tells you (condescendingly) to fear Allah, expel your anger and remind yourself of your clemency. ⁶

Imam Ali(as) also adds as a remedy: Remedy your anger with silence and your carnal desire through your reason.⁷

Side note, Clemency means mercy or leniency. So, to show or express the traits as mercy etc.

I could spend pages speaking about anger, but it would defeat the purpose of this being a blog. All in all, we all experience anger time and time again. Our strength is not defined by our ability to lift something or hurt somebody, rather, it is reflected upon our ability to control ourselves in difficult moments. When you feel angry, remember Allah and the teachings of Ahlul Bayt(as). When you feel angry, remember that Satan is your open enemy and you falling into this trap means he is victorious over you. Whereas, you defeating your anger means you are victorious over him.

Reference:

¹ : Mishkat ul-Anwar fi Ghurar il-Akhbar hadith number 1791

²: The Scale of Wisdom hadith number 4796

³: The Scale of Wisdom hadith number 4793

⁴: The Scale of Wisdom hadith number 4792

⁵: Ghorar Al-Hikam

⁶: The Scale of Wisdom hadith number 4803

⁷: The Scale of Wisdom hadith number 4804