The Sunday Mail
THE Almighty acknowledges the righteous worshippers and among their numerous praiseworthy qualities that He highlights in the Holy Qur’aan is that “(they) repress anger” (Chapter 3 : Verse 134)
We all lose our temper from time to time, but many of us live our lives in a constant fit of anger jumping from one situation to another. In the state of uncontrolled anger, we lose control of our actions and speech due to the temporary clouding of our senses.
This is extremely dangerous as it will probably result in us doing or saying that which will bring nothing but regret. The additional stress that this constant hard-edged emotional state leaves a person in is undoubtedly stressful to the body and the mind, wearing us down day after day and worsening our situations.
So, what should we do if we know that we have a problem with anger? First and foremost, we need to begin to look at our anger problem as an illness that requires immediate medication that must be taken until we are cured. We need to recognise that we not only need help, but we require it as believers. It is important that we realise and understand that the basic element of a believer’s character includes the ability to control anger. This will make us stronger characters.
The importance of the topic
Indeed a short temper is a disease. A person loses self-control, which may then lead him to harm others by his speech or actions. Thereafter, he/she often regrets and apologises for that which had overcome him, when all could have been avoided and anger was controlled.
It must be emphasised at this point that anger is a severe vice which, if it goes unchecked in the community, would undermine the premises of society and wreck its foundations. It would result in the society being afflicted with enormous adversity. How else can we explain the disintegration of the society, the extinction of its morals and ethics, the dissemination of enmity, the spread of discord and disunity and the severing of relationships in every field whether it is family ties, brotherly bonds or formal matters?
Without doubt, natural disposition has its part to play in the behaviour and conduct of people. However, by means of self-struggle and containment and through acquiring praiseworthy virtues, one may save oneself from falling into the evils of anger and its calamities. As the saying goes, “Indeed tolerance comes with practice.”
In addition, self-control has its place of importance under the influence of anger.
This will become clearer during our discussion of the following issues: the definition of anger, its levels, dangers, effects, causes and means of cure.
The definition of anger
A Scholar of Islam, Ar Raaghib, has defined anger as, “The outburst of the heart in the desire for retaliation.” Another Scholar, Al-Ghazali defined it as, “The ebullition of the blood of the heart in the desire for vengeance.”
Anger, in physiological and psychological terms, is both a physical as well as metaphysical state. This is shown by the fact that psychological excitement is followed by a bloody outburst that simmers to the extremes in the depth of the chest. This causes the body temperature to rise which then usually leads on to unbalanced speech and action.
The reason for this has to do with the hormone ‘adrenaline’ which originates from the adrenaline glands. It affects the heart and increases the physical ability of the body to defend itself. This increased strength in the body under the influence of anger increases the person’s inclination and readiness to physically assault the one who provoked him.
The different levels of anger
No doubt people differ in the manner of dealing with others in their day to day life and in tackling the provocations that they encounter.
Anger can be divided into three levels:
Extreme mildness – This means to lack the strength to have anger or to be weak in it. This is dispraised and it is this type about which it is said that “there is no zeal in him”. This is because such a person has forgotten the meaning of self-esteem and envy. Rather, he has satisfied himself with little or no self-respect and the prospect of disgrace.
Extreme rage – This is a level wherein this trait (of anger) takes the upper hand until it transcends the faculty of sense and religion, and one becomes disobedient to both. This leads to such a state that the person is left with neither mental perception, nor insight, nor presence of mind, nor choice. Enmity and hatred are the reasons for being overcome in such a manner.
Moderation – This is the praiseworthy level of temperament for it abides by the limits of mind and religion. lt emerges when zeal is necessary and dies down when tolerance is more befitting. It maintains the bounds of moderation and justice, which Allah Almighty has required of His worshippers. This is indeed the middle path.
We continue on this topic next week.
For further information on Islam or a free copy of the Holy Qur’aan, please contact:
Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Council of Islamic Scholars
Publications Department
P.O. Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare
Tel: 04-614078 / 614004, Fax : 04-614003
e-mail: [email protected].
