Anger Management

Anger is a natural feeling; however it can have a negative effect on those who allow it to control them, and may have adverse effects on those around them. Anger can destroy relationships, health, property, and livelihood. Uncontrolled anger is one of the tools of Shaitaan and it can lead to many evils and tragedies. For this reason Islam has a great deal to say about the emotion of anger.

Anger is an emotion which can be very powerful and can vary in intensity from mild irritation to intense fury and rage. The latter can be destructive. It can rage through a person, creating a desire for revenge and pushing a person to strike out at the object of his anger.

When a person becomes angry, whether as a result of provocation or not, he has the choice to control his anger by responding to it in a way sanctioned by the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W), or he could give in to the wave of emotion and behave in a way that displeases Allah (S.W.T) but delights Shaitaan.

The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) said: “Anger comes from the Shaitaan, the Shaitaan was created of fire, and fire is extinguished only with water; so when one of you becomes angry, he should perform ablution.” (Abu Dawood)

In the era when it appears that Islam is being belittled all over the globe, many Muslims are letting their anger get the better of them. Yes it hurts to have our religion belittled by the ignorant, but as believers we should not let our emotions dictate our actions. We cannot completely stop those who tarnish Islam with their lies and deception but we can control ourselves, educate the masses, and take other positive steps in accordance to Islam.

Hazrat Abu Zarr Ghafari (R.A) narrated: The Holy Prophet (S.A.W), said to us: "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." (Abu Dawood)

We find that Islam offers a person several ways to control the very natural emotion of anger. To begin with a person should change his position, as mentioned in the above Hadith. An angry person could make ablution and offer two or more Rakah of prayer; or he could seek refuge in Allah (S.W.T) from the angry effects Shaitaan has over him and finally he could try to focus on the rewards Allah (S.W.T) offers those who are patient, merciful and inclined to forgive rather than hold a grudge.

The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) said: "Whoever suppresses his anger, when he has in his power to show it, Allah (S.W.T) will give him a great reward."

Holy Prophet (S.A.W) also said: "He is not strong and powerful, who throws people down, but he is strong who withholds himself from anger."

In light of the above AHadith controlling ones anger has many rewards and we should try to avoid anger getting the better of us. By controlling the anger not only one is rewarded greatly, but also it creates a more peaceful and harmonious society.