Anger

Anger is spiritual disease which stems from pride. A proud person regards himself to be superior to others and therefore want his/her way in all matters, and when unable to achieve this then he/she tends to become upset and angry. 

Therefore, one should adopt the quality of humbleness, that is, to regard oneself as absolutely nothing. A humble person is not affected by the behaviour of others towards him/her and therefore protected from anger. However, this anger is generally vented on weaker people, people upon whom we enjoy some sort of authority. We never vent out our anger on our superiors.

A pious person, Hadrat Baayazid Bustaami Rahimahullah was walking along when an enemy of his threw a basket of ashes on his head. He said, “Alhamdulillah.” His disciples asked, “Was this the occasion to recite Alhamdulillah?” He replied, “Why should the one who was worthy of being burnt by fire due to his disobedience, not be grateful that only ashes fell onto him?”

On one occasion Hadrat Sheikh Rahimahullah got upset with an employee who immediately sought forgiveness from Hadrat. Hadrat Sheikh Rahimahullah said, “You are always troubling me, for how long must I bear this attitude of yours?” Hadrat Maulana Ilyaas Saheb Rahimahullah happened to be present and whispered in Hadrat’s ear, “Maulana, to the extent to which you want Allah Ta’aala to forgive you, forgive His servant’s faults in this world.” 

From these incidents we are taught to tolerate the deficiencies and faults of others (without becoming angry) as we always desire that Allah Ta’aala overlooks our shortcomings. Due to our sins we too are worthy of Allah’s displeasure and punishment yet he continues bestowing His unlimited favours upon us.

The Mashaaikh have written, when overcome by anger then think, “If I control my anger right now and forgive, then Allah Ta’aala will hold back His punishment from me on the day of Qiyaamah.” This glad tiding is recorded in the narration of Anas Radiallahu Anhu.

Secondly, when angry recite Durood Sharif which is extremely effective in removing the anger. 

Thirdly, if one is standing then one should sit down. If sitting, then one should lie down. One should also drink water.

Below we have listed some of the harms of anger:

– A person that always gets angry with his family members at home is imitated and mocked at when he/she leaves home.
– Anger has an adverse effect on one’s nervous system, muscles, ligaments, etc. He/she is unable to think correctly and ultimately the memory is affected.
– An angry person is always restless.
– According to experts, anger and greed are such harmful diseases that they eventually destroy a person.
– In previous times, the elderly women would prevent a breastfeeding woman from feeding the infant in the state of anger, as this could prove detrimental to the child.
– Certain experts have stated that people suffering from anger die at an early age. Anger isequally harmful as tobacco and high blood pressure.
– The conclusion of a seminar held by the heart association was that many people die at a young age due to enmity, jealousy and malice. Doctors agree that the physical condition of a person is governed by one’s mental condition.

When overcome with anger, try keeping the above points in mind which will assist in overcoming the problem to some extent. Most important, perform two Rakaats of Salaah daily, turn to Allah Ta’aala in supplication and beg Him to cure you of this illness.