Introduction
Anger is something we’ve all felt at one point or another. It’s a powerful emotion that can inspire action, but it can also cause harm when left unchecked. In today’s fast-paced world, where stress and misunderstandings are common, learning to manage anger has become more important than ever. Islam, being a complete way of life, doesn’t leave us without guidance on this matter. It provides a framework to understand anger, its role, and how to control it for our betterment.
This article is part of a series that explores anger management in Islam. While this piece focuses on understanding anger as a human attribute and its place in our faith, future articles will delve into remedies and practical tips from the Quran and Sunnah to help you manage this powerful emotion.
A Necessary Emotion, But How Should It Be Controlled?
Anger is something we’ve all felt at one point or another. It’s a powerful emotion that can inspire action, but it can also cause harm when left unchecked. In today’s fast-paced world, where stress and misunderstandings are common, learning to manage anger has become more important than ever. Islam, being a complete way of life, doesn’t leave us without guidance on this matter. It provides a framework to understand anger, its role, and how to control it for our betterment.
Among the attributes Allah has given humans is the emotion of anger. Anger, like other emotions, is part of human nature. But the question arises: is anger good or bad? Should we have anger at all, and how should we manage it according to Islam? Our religion provides guidance on all matters, no matter how small. It gives us instructions on how to behave in every situation, even in something as basic as going to the bathroom.
In this discussion, we will focus on how Islam views anger. Anger, if left unchecked, can cause harm to oneself and others. Therefore, understanding how to control it is essential for every believer. Since all humans experience anger, it is vital to know how to manage this emotion in a way that pleases Allah and leads to personal growth.
The Meaning of "Anger" in Arabic
The word for anger in Arabic, “ghadab” (Luise), is defined by Ibn Faris in Maqayis al-Lugha as intensity and power. The root word of ghadab also refers to a harsh, strong rock, implying that anger is a solid, powerful force. This meaning emphasizes the strength and intensity behind anger, which represents a strong reaction to something that is deeply wrong or offensive.
Among the attributes Allah has given humans is the emotion of anger. Anger, like other emotions, is part of human nature. But the question arises: is anger good or bad? Should we have anger at all, and how should we manage it according to Islam? Our religion provides guidance on all matters, no matter how small. It gives us instructions on how to behave in every situation, even in something as basic as going to the bathroom.
In this discussion, we will focus on how Islam views anger. Anger, if left unchecked, can cause harm to oneself and others. Therefore, understanding how to control it is essential for every believer. Since all humans experience anger, it is vital to know how to manage this emotion in a way that pleases Allah and leads to personal growth.
Anger: Good or Bad?
Anger is a natural part of human nature and instinct. It is not inherently bad, but what can be harmful is the pride that stems from anger. Anger can sometimes be a sign of strength and righteousness, depending on the situation. There are two key points to understand:
Anger shows a person’s ability to distinguish between right and wrong.
Controlling anger brings reward.
If a person never feels angry, they cannot experience the reward of controlling that anger. A person who doesn’t get angry when something wrong happens may lack the ability to understand what is right and wrong. Thus, anger is a natural instinct, and it serves as a reminder of what is just.
Imaam al-Shaf’i (رَحِمَهُ ٱللَّٰهُ) said,
“If a person is provoked and angered by something truly wrong and still does not get angry, that person is donkey.”
Imaam al-Shaf’i further explained, “If someone persists in their obstinacy and does not want to reconcile, then they are like the devil.” This shows that stubbornness is a sign of the Shaytaan, because when he decides something, does not change his stance, even when he knows it is wrong.
[Imam al-Dhahabi in Siyar A’lam al-Nubala]
So, anger is part of human nature. It is a sign that a person can distinguish between good and evil. And secondly, anger opens the door for reward when it is controlled.
Like we mentioned anger, in itself, is not inherently bad. There are times when anger is justified and even necessary. If anger were inherently wrong, it would be a flaw in Allah’s attributes (nauzbillah) or it wouldn’t be mentioned in attributes at all, but we know from the Glorious Qur’an that Allah Himself has the attribute of anger, directed at those who deserve it.
For instance, in Surah Al-Fatiha, ayah 7, we say,
صِرَاطَ الَّذِيْنَ اَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ ۹ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوْبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّاۗلِّيْنَ
“not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger (i.e. those who knew the Truth, but did not follow it) nor of those who went astray.”
(Qur’an 1:7)
This indicates that Allah can become angry due to the sins and mistakes of His servants.
In another verse, Allah says:
وَّيُعَذِّبَ الْمُنٰفِقِيْنَ وَالْمُنٰفِقٰتِ وَالْمُشْرِكِيْنَ وَالْمُشْرِكٰتِ الظَّاۗنِّيْنَ بِاللّٰهِ ظَنَّ السَّوْءِ ۭ عَلَيْهِمْ دَاۗىِٕرَةُ السَّوْءِ ۚ وَغَضِبَ اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَعَنَهُمْ وَاَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَهَنَّمَ ۭ وَسَاۗءَتْ مَصِيْرًا
And that He may punish the Munafiqun (hypocrites), men and women, and also the Mushrikun men and women, who think evil thoughts about Allah: for them is a disgraceful torment. And the Anger of Allah is upon them, and He has cursed them and prepared Hell for them – and worst indeed is that destination.
(Qur’an 48:6)
This shows that anger, when it is just and deserved, is not a bad thing but rather a necessary part of justice. Therefore, anger itself is not bad but must be understood in context.
Conclusion:
Anger is a natural part of being human being given by Allah that helps us distinguish between right and wrong. But like any powerful emotion, it needs to be managed wisely. Islam doesn’t ask us to suppress our anger completely; rather, it teaches us to control it and use it in a way that aligns with justice and pleases Allah.
When we follow the guidance of the Qur’an and Sunnah, anger stops being a destructive force and becomes an opportunity for personal growth and reward. It allows us to stand up against injustice and defend what is right, all while maintaining self-discipline and compassion.
This is just the beginning of our discussion on anger in Islam. In the upcoming articles, we’ll dive into practical ways to control anger, along with remedies from the Qur’an and Sunnah that can help us handle this powerful emotion in a way that benefits us in this life and the next.
