Anger is a strong emotion—sometimes it pushes us to defend what’s right, and other times it pulls us into actions we might regret. In Islam, anger isn’t seen as purely good or bad; it all depends on why we’re angry and how we deal with it. The Glorious Qur’an and the Sunnah gives us clear guidance on how to navigate this complex emotion. They help us recognize when anger is valid and when it’s misplaced. This article takes a closer look at these teachings, showing how we can channel our anger in a way that pleases Allah while avoiding the dangers of letting it control us.
When Anger Is Justified
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself experienced anger in situations where the limits of Allah were violated. This is a form of anger that is justified. For instance, Aa’isha رضى الله عنها narrated that
دَخَلَ عَلَىَّ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَفِي الْبَيْتِ قِرَامٌ فِيهِ صُوَرٌ، فَتَلَوَّنَ وَجْهُهُ، ثُمَّ تَنَاوَلَ السِّتْرَ فَهَتَكَهُ، وَقَالَتْ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” مِنْ أَشَدِّ النَّاسِ عَذَابًا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ الَّذِينَ يُصَوِّرُونَ هَذِهِ الصُّوَرَ
“Prophet ﷺ entered upon me while there was a curtain having pictures (of animals) in the house. His face got red with anger, and then he got hold of the curtain and tore it into pieces. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Such people who paint these pictures will receive the severest punishment on the Day of Resurrection”.
(Saheeh al Bukhari, Kitaab al Adab, Hadith 6190)
This act of anger was not wrong, because it was directed against something forbidden in Islam and was meant to remove a source of falsehood.
However, not all anger is justified. For example, if a person gets angry because a customer chooses to shop at a neighbouring competitor’s store, this anger is not justified. It stems from discontent with destiny, not from any wrongdoing. Similarly, if someone becomes angry when another person converts to Islam or abandons a sinful lifestyle, that anger is unjust.
The Glorious Quran describes the disbelievers’ anger when they witnessed others embracing faith:
ھٰٓاَنْتُمْ اُولَاۗءِ تُـحِبُّوْنَھُمْ وَلَا يُـحِبُّوْنَكُمْ وَتُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِالْكِتٰبِ كُلِّھٖ ۚ وَاِذَا لَقُوْكُمْ قَالُوْٓا اٰمَنَّا ۑ وَاِذَا خَلَوْا عَضُّوْا عَلَيْكُمُ الْاَنَامِلَ مِنَ الْغَيْظِ ۭ قُلْ مُوْتُوْا بِغَيْظِكُمْ ۭ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَلِيْمٌۢ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُوْرِ
“And when they meet you, they say, “We believe.” But when they are alone, they bite their fingertips at you in rage. Say, “Die in your rage. Indeed, Alläh is Knowing of that within the breasts.”
(Qur’an 3:119)
Anger for Personal Pride
Anger that comes from personal pride is not justified. For example, if someone is corrected by another person, and they respond angrily because their ego is hurt, this is an unjust form of anger. A scholar, for instance, should not get angry if someone points out a mistake in their teachings.
Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه said,
اللَّهُ عَنْهُ رَحِمَ اللَّهُ مَنْ أَهْدَى إِلَيَّ عُيُوبِي
“May Allah have mercy on the one who shows me my faults.”
(Sunan al-Darimi, 649)
This shows that humility is essential, and prideful anger is not acceptable. Similarly, if a child teaches their elderly grandmother something, and the parent becomes angry because the child is correcting someone older, this is also an example of wrong anger.
Anger Due to Unfulfilled Rights
Another situation where anger is permissible is when someone does not fulfil another’s rights. For instance, if someone is owed money or goods and their right is not given to them, it is natural to feel angry. This form of anger is allowed because the person has been wronged. The best approach, however, is to control the anger and seek reconciliation.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said,
رِضَا الرَّبِّ فِي رِضَا الْوَالِدِ وَسَخَطُ الرَّبِّ فِي سَخَطِ الْوَالِدِ
“The Lord’s pleasure is in the parent’s pleasure, and the Lord’s anger is in the parent’s anger.”
(Jami at-Tirmidhi, Kitaab al Birr wa Silaah, Hadith 1899)
This highlights that anger in response to being wronged or having one’s rights withheld is justified, but the higher virtue is to forgive.
In the Glorious Qur’an, Allah praises the believers:
وَالَّذِيْنَ يَجْتَنِبُوْنَ كَبٰۗىِٕرَ الْاِثْـمِ وَالْـفَوَاحِشَ وَاِذَا مَا غَضِبُوْا هُمْ يَغْفِرُوْنَ
“and when they are angry, they forgive”
(Qur’an 42:37)
Thus, anger in situations where one’s rights are denied is permissible, but forgiveness is a higher and more virtuous choice.
There are three types of anger discussed: anger that shows the ability to distinguish right from wrong, anger that is justified in response to violations of Allah’s laws, and anger when one’s rights are denied. In all these cases, controlling anger is encouraged, but it is also understood that in certain situations, anger is natural and justified. However, the best approach is always to seek forgiveness and self-control, as exemplified by the actions and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Misplaced Anger and Its Impact
In the example of a father whose son has failed, anger should be directed at oneself for not providing proper guidance or support to the child. It is a natural response for a parent to feel frustration or disappointment. However, if the anger is directed at a neighbor, simply because their child is succeeding or their business is doing well, this is misplaced anger. The real cause of the anger-failing to address one’s own responsibilities or acknowledging one’s shortcomings—is often ignored, and the anger is instead transferred onto an innocent party. This demonstrates how anger can be misdirected, often due to external circumstances or an unwillingness to look inwardly.
Similarly, if a person’s business is struggling and they feel resentment toward a neighboring business that is flourishing, the anger should not be directed at the neighbor, nor should it lead to unfounded animosity. The true source of the anger may lie in one’s own lack of effort, strategy, or simply in the workings of fate—things that may be beyond anyone’s control. To lash out at the neighbor, whom one has no legitimate reason to blame, is not only unjust but also an example of how anger can be misplaced and lead to unnecessary conflict.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between justified and misplaced anger is essential for growing as a person and as a believer. Anger can be noble when it’s about defending Allah’s commands or standing up for justice, but even then, it needs to be balanced with self-control and kindness. On the other hand, misplaced anger—often driven by pride or frustration—can cause harm to ourselves and those around us. The Glorious Qur’an and the life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ teach us how to navigate this powerful emotion. Anger is natural, but Islam guides us to use it wisely or let it go in favor of forgiveness. By managing anger in this way, we not only improve our character but also strengthen our connection with Allah, embodying the humility and grace that every believer strives for.
This article shed light on how Islam helps us understand justified and misplaced anger, but there’s still more to delve into. In the upcoming articles for this series, we will explore practical steps for controlling anger and solutions drawn from the Qur’an and Sunnah. May Allah guide us to embody these values in our lives, strengthening our bond with Him and improving our interactions with others. Aameen.
