Monday, September 16, 2013

Anger (Ghadab) and Islam: Anger management skills and techniques in Islam

Anger is one of the conditions of the soul, and possesses three states.
1.The state of excess, which is defined as what would put one outside
the bounds of Islam religion and its laws.
2.The state of deficiency, which is defined as the state in which one
fails to take a violent action even though it is necessary for his
self defense.
3.The state of moderation, in which anger is stimulated in appropriate
and permissible circumstances. Thus it is clear that the first and the
second states are amongst the vices of the soul (diseases of soul),
while the third is amongst ethical virtues produced by courage.
Excessive anger is a fatal disease, which can be considered as a type
of temporary madness. When it subsides, it is immediately followed by
remorse and repentance, which represent healthy responses of a
rational person.
Anger (Ghadab), Bad Temper and Human Vice according to Islamic teachings
Anger is a secret weapon of man towards evil but in the state of
excess, it results in the destruction of many noble qualities. It
snatches away the wisdom of man and thus he becomes a brute beast
devoid of any sense. Anger is a temptation and deception of Shaytaan.
Anger is the root of all evils. Anger is a spark of fire that is
always bursting. Anger is a very bad condition that weakens the person
Imaan (Faith). Anger is the strong feeling caused by extreme
displeasure and hostility.
Imam Ali (as)has said: "Anger is a stroke of madness, since the
afflicted later feels remorse and regrets. If someone does not feel
any remorse after anger, it means that his madness has become fixed."
Imam Ali (as) has also said: "Protect yourself from anger for its
beginning is insanity and its end is remorse."
Moreover, absolute absence of anger is also a vice, which drags man
into humiliation, subjugation and inability to defend his rights. In
order to cure excessive anger, one must first remove its causes. These
may be pride, selfishness, stubbornness, greed and other such vices.
One must also consider how unseemly excessive anger is, and how evil
its consequences may be.
Secondly, he must examine the benefits of forbearance and
self-restraint and associate with people who possess these qualities.
He must also realize that Allah's (SWT) power is supreme, and
everything is under His command, which would make him realize his own
weakness compared with the infinite power of Allah (SWT).
Thirdly, he should know that a person in a state of anger is not loved
by Allah (SWT); moreover, he may do something in anger, of which he
will be ashamed later on.
The opposite of anger is mildness and forbearance characteristics
which count amongst perfect qualities of the soul. They make a person
forgiving and merciful, although he may have complete power to take
revenge.
Noble Qur'an says: Keep to forgiveness, and enjoin what is fair, and
turn away from the ignorant. (7:199)
And Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw)has said: "Forgiveness raises a man's
station; forgive so that Allah (SWT) may honour you."

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