Anger is a natural emotion that every human experiences. However, Islam emphasizes managing this emotion to maintain control and achieve spiritual well-being. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) provided valuable teachings on anger management, which are mentioned in several hadiths. These hadiths encourage patience, self-restraint, and reliance on Allah when faced with anger. In this article, we will explore some important hadiths about anger, offering English, Urdu, and Arabic translations of each, along with their explanations and references. The key lessons from each hadith will also be discussed.
Control Your Anger
English Translation
Narrated by Abu Huraira (RA), a man said to the Prophet (PBUH), “Advise me.” The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Do not get angry.” The man repeated his request several times, and the Prophet (PBUH) replied each time, “Do not get angry.”
Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 6116.
Arabic Text
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ رَجُلًا قَالَ لِلنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَوْصِنِي. قَالَ: “لَا تَغْضَبْ، فَرَدَّدَ مِرَارًا، قَالَ: لَا تَغْضَبْ”. [رَوَاهُ الْبُخَارِيُّ]
Urdu Translation
حضرت ابو ہریرہ رضی اللہ عنہ سے روایت ہے کہ ایک شخص نے نبی صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم سے کہا: مجھے نصیحت کریں۔ نبی صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے فرمایا: “غصہ نہ کرو”۔ اس شخص نے کئی بار یہ کہا اور نبی صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ہر بار فرماتے: “غصہ نہ کرو”۔
Key Lessons: The Power of Anger Control
In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gave a powerful piece of advice: “Do not get angry.” The repetition highlights its importance, showing that controlling anger is essential for maintaining good character. By suppressing anger, a person can avoid making impulsive decisions and harming others.
Islam teaches that anger can open the door to many harmful actions, such as harsh words, violence, and grudges. Controlling anger leads to emotional peace and better relationships with others. This hadith serves as a simple yet profound guide to living a life filled with patience and emotional discipline
Strength Lies in Controlling Anger
English Translation
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “The strong is not the one who overcomes others by physical strength, but the one who controls himself while angry.”
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6114.
Arabic Text
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: “لَيْسَ الشَّدِيدُ بِالصُّرَعَةِ، إِنَّمَا الشَّدِيدُ الَّذِي يَمْلِكُ نَفْسَهُ عِنْدَ الْغَضَبِ”.
Urdu Translation
رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے فرمایا: “طاقتور وہ نہیں جو کشتی میں دوسرے کو گرا دے، بلکہ طاقتور وہ ہے جو غصے کے وقت اپنے نفس پر قابو رکھے”۔
Key Lessons: True Strength is Emotional Control
In this hadith, the Prophet (PBUH) redefines the concept of strength. True strength does not come from physical power but from the ability to control oneself in moments of anger. This message teaches us that anger management is an essential trait of a strong person.
Controlling anger requires wisdom, patience, and emotional intelligence. Islam encourages believers to develop these traits so that they can handle challenges calmly and peacefully. This hadith inspires Muslims to focus on internal strength rather than external displays of power.
Seek Refuge from Shaytan
English Translation
Sulayman ibn Surad narrated that two men abused each other in the presence of the Prophet (PBUH). One of them became so angry that his face turned red. The Prophet (PBUH) said, “I know a word that will calm him. If he says, ‘I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Shaytan,’ his anger will go away.”
Reference: Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, Hadith 1319.
Arabic Text
قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم: “إِنِّي لَأَعْلَمُ كَلِمَةً لَوْ قَالَهَا لَذَهَبَ هَذَا عَنْهُ: أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ”.
Urdu Translation
حضرت سلیمان بن صرد بیان کرتے ہیں کہ دو آدمیوں نے نبی صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کے سامنے ایک دوسرے کو برا بھلا کہا۔ ایک آدمی غصے میں آگیا اور اس کا چہرہ سرخ ہو گیا۔ نبی صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے فرمایا: “میں ایک ایسا کلمہ جانتا ہوں جسے کہنے سے یہ شخص پرسکون ہو جائے گا، وہ کہے: ‘أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ'”۔
Key Lessons: The Power of Seeking Refuge in Allah
This hadith teaches a practical method to control anger: seeking refuge in Allah from Shaytan. Anger often clouds judgment and leads to regrettable actions. By seeking Allah’s help, a person can calm down and regain control of their emotions.
The Prophet (PBUH) advised using this powerful phrase, “أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ,” which can immediately diffuse tension. This hadith emphasizes the importance of turning to Allah in moments of emotional turbulence, as He is the ultimate source of peace and tranquility.
The Reward of Swallowing Anger
English Translation
Ibn ‘Umar narrated, “There is nothing greater in reward with Allah than a servant of Allah who swallows his anger out of desire for the pleasure of Allah.”
Reference: Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, Hadith 1318.
Arabic Text
قَالَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ: “مَا مِنْ جَرْعَةٍ أَعْظَمَ عِنْدَ اللهِ أَجْرًا مِنْ جَرْعَةِ غَيْظٍ كَظَمَهَا عَبْدٌ ابْتِغَاءَ وَجْهِ اللهِ”.
Urdu Translation
حضرت ابن عمر رضی اللہ عنہ فرماتے ہیں: “اللہ کے ہاں سب سے زیادہ اجر اس غلام کا ہے جو اللہ کی رضا کی خاطر اپنے غصے کو ضبط کرے”۔
Key Lessons: The Virtue of Patience
In this hadith, we learn that Allah rewards those who control their anger for His sake. Swallowing anger, especially in situations where one has every right to be angry, is an act of great patience and humility. It is a reflection of true submission to Allah’s will.
This hadith encourages believers to remain calm and patient, especially in difficult situations. It reminds us that the reward for patience is immense, both in this world and the hereafter.
Practical Steps to Control Anger
English Translation
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “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.”
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith 4782.
Arabic Text
قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم: “إِذَا غَضِبَ أَحَدُكُمْ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ، فَلْيَجْلِسْ، فَإِنْ ذَهَبَ عَنْهُ الْغَضَبُ، وَإِلَّا فَلْيَضْطَجِعْ”.
Urdu Translation
رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے فرمایا: “جب تم میں سے کوئی غصے میں ہو اور وہ کھڑا ہو تو بیٹھ جائے، اگر غصہ چلا جائے تو بہتر، ورنہ لیٹ جائے”
Practical Anger Management Techniques
The Prophet (PBUH) offered simple yet effective techniques to control anger in this hadith. By changing physical posture—sitting down or lying down—a person can cool down and manage their emotions better. This advice is a reflection of the Prophet’s (PBUH) practical wisdom, which can be easily applied in daily life.
These steps can prevent a person from reacting impulsively or acting unjustly when angry. By following these simple practices, one can regain composure and handle situations calmly.
A Path to Emotional and Spiritual Growth
The hadiths about anger provide a comprehensive guide for managing emotions in a way that leads to personal growth and spiritual fulfilment. Anger, if left unchecked, can cause immense harm, but by following the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), one can learn to control it effectively. These hadiths emphasize the importance of patience, humility, and seeking Allah’s help when faced with anger. Through these principles, we can not only improve our emotional well-being but also strengthen our relationship with Allah.