Anger is one of the diseases that afflict the individual. It is the root of very many woes and regrets. The following are some of the prescriptions of Islam in dealing with it.
Golden Advice
"Hurnayd ibn Abd ar-Rahman ibn Awf narrated that a man came to the Messenger of Allaah (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and said:
"Messenger of Allaah, teach me some words which I can live by. “Do not make them too much for me lest I forget." The Messenger of Allaah (sallaallaahu alayhi wasallam) said. "Do not be angry."(Muwatta)
Except Against a Sin
Aisha (RA) narrated: "The Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wasallam) entered upon me while there was a curtain having pictures (of animals) in thehouse. His face got red with anger, and then he got hold of the curtain and tore it into pieces. The Prophet (sallaallaahualayhi wa sallam) said:
"Such people as paint these pictures will receive the severest punishment on the Day of Resurrection."(Bukhari)
Restrain Your Anger
Allaah's Messenger (sallaallaahu alayhi wasallam) said:
"No one has swallowed back anything more excellent in the sight of Allaah. Who is Great and Glorious, than anger he restrain, seeking to please Allaah Most High." (Tirmidhi)
…then You Become Strong
"The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger." (Bukhari)
Bear In Mind, When You Give Vent to Your Anger
Narrated by Abu Mas'ud al-Ansari: "I was beating my slave with a whip when I heard a voice behind me: 'Understand, Abu Mas'ud'; but I did not recognise the voice due to intense anger. He (Abu Mas'ud) reported: Ashe came near me (I found) that he was the Messenger of Allaah (sallaallaahualayhi wa sallam) and he was saying: 'Bear in mind. Abu Mas'ud, bear in mind. Abu Mas'ud'. He said: I threw the whip from my hand. There upon he (the Prophet) said:
'Bear in mind. Abu Mas'ud; verily Allah has more dominance upon you than you have upon your slave.' I (then) said: I would never beat my servant in future. (Muslim)
Be Silent, Then Change Your Position
Allaah's Messenger (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam)said:
"If one of you becomes angry, he should remain silent." (Ahmad)
And then, "When one of you becomes angry while standing he should sit down. If the anger leaves him, well and good; otherwise he should lie down." (Tirmidhi)
Reward for patience
"Whoever retrains anger while he has the ability to implement and act on it will be called by Allaah from the head of the creation on the Day of Resurrection and Allaah will then give him a choice of any of al-Hoor al-Ain that he wishes." (Ahmad)
When You Are Angered
"Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good and turn away from the foolish." (Q7[A'raf]: 199)
"The recompense for an evil is an evil like thereof, but whoever forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allaah." (Q40 [Shu'ra]:40)
Words That Calm Anger
Two men abused each other and the face of one of them became red with anger, and his jugular veins swelled. The Prophet (sallaallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"I know a word the saying of which will cause him to relax, if he does say it. If he says: “I seek Refuge with Allaah from Satan.” then all is anger will go away." (Bukhari)
Be Patient
"Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord and for a garden whose width is that (of the whole) of the heavens and of the earth prepared for the righteous. Those who spend (freely) whether in prosperity or in adversity; who restrain anger and pardon (all) men; for Allaah loves those who do good." (Q3 [Aal-lmran]:133-134)
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited