Daily Lesson 27
Memorise and practice a new hadeeth every week!
True Strength is in Controlling Anger
لَيْسَ الشَّدِيدُ بالصُّرَعَةِ؛ إِنَّمَا الشَدِيدُ الَّذِي يَمْلِكُ نَفْسَهُ عِنْدَ الْغَضَبِ
Our Beloved Nabi ﷺ said, “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.”
Sahih al-Bukhari
Explanation
When we think of someone being strong, we think of muscle, we think of someone big, we think of the one who everyone is scared of. Sure, these are all different forms of strength but these aren’t the only forms of strength.
In fact, from this hadeeth, we learn about another strength which is the real strength. This is the strength to control one’s anger.
It takes a really strong person to control their anger. Those who react to their anger and start throwing abuse at someone, or start throwing punches at someone are not really the strong ones because they lack the strength to control their anger.
How we can control our anger?
Our amazing Nabi ﷺ has taught us what to do when we become angry. Think of it as a secret weapon to gain the true strength required to control your anger!
First things first, recite Ta’awwuz – أَعُوذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
If this doesn’t help then sit down or lie down – When becoming angry sit-down. If this doesn’t help then lie down.
If anger still remains then perform Wudhu – Wudhu helps cool a person down.
When a person becomes angry Shaytaan takes control of a person and leads him towards a regrettable outcome. The above steps will help take back control and allow the anger to cool.
Interesting Facts:
- Shaytaan has been created from fire, and fire is extinguished only with water; so when one becomes angry, by performing wudhu this fire is extinguished.
- Fire rises, by sitting or lying down one will lower the effect of this fire.
- By reading ta’wwuz one will push Shaytaan far away.
So, the next time you feel angry and want to react with your anger let’s see how strong you are. If you manage to control it, you’re strong. If you fail then sorry, you’re weak.
By Mawlana Junayd Makda Sahib
A Beautiful Example of Controlling One’s Anger
Ali رضي الله عنه was not just a man of knowledge and piety but he was also a warrior on the battlefield. But above all, he was a warrior within himself as he was fully submitted to the will, command and desire of Allah Ta’ala.
In the battle of the trenches, he was in single combat with a soldier from the enemy line.
They fought till Ali رضي الله عنه subdued him, and pinned him to the ground. All that remained was for Ali رضي الله عنه to take a final strike and defeat his enemy.
The enemy knew that he had been defeated, and to show a final gesture of insult to Ali رضي الله عنه and the Muslims he spat on Ali’s رضي الله عنه face.
Upon this Ali رضي الله عنه calmly walked away.
The enemy, in a state of confusion, enquired from Ali رضي الله عنه as to why he had walked away.
Ali رضي الله عنه explained that every stride and strike until then was for the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala with the hope of reward in the hereafter Him.
However, when the enemy spat on his face, anger overcame and his motive now became that of anger and revenge.
He explained that if at that point he had killed the enemy then it would’ve been out of personal spite and not for Allah and so he chose to control his anger and walk away.
By Mawlana Junayd Makda Sahib
Moral:
From this incident, we learn a true lesson of both strength and courage. Even when an enemy was at the mercy of Ali رضي الله عنه he was still strong and brave enough to take control of his anger and walk away. These are amazing examples of amazing people. We need to learn from them so we too can become amazing.