The Cure for Anger

Everything in this world, every phenomenon and every being, living and non living has a reason for existence on this planet. Similarly, every abstract thing also must be having a reason for existence. Human feelings and emotions are to be included in the list of abstract things on this earth. Human emotions play the most basic part of shaping the direction, way of thinking and way of life of an individual. Some are beneficial to us, while some emotions, if not controlled and properly channelized can create havoc and disturb the harmonious life; a life which is expected by every human being.

The emotions of human beings emanate by reasons beyond human control. Our brain is designed for continuous activity and therefore each cell of it takes into account the activities of the surroundings and forms its own opinions and reactions to those events. The emotions include happiness, sadness, depression, anxiety, hope, fear, and anger. Each and every emotions have reasons to emanate by those discussed above. The positive feelings of happiness, hope and the like generate good health; while the negative ones generate ill health. There are various established researches that prove that a healthy positive mind is the key to a healthy positive life and health. So, the various mind and emotion control courses and training have all gained top priority in today's health conscious individual. As much as it is important to control and manage emotions, so is it equally important to recognize the source of these emotions.

The most common bout of emotion a human being experiences is anger. Its common but one of the most harmful for the positive health. Anger is associated with evil; and evil is associated with the devil. In Islam too it is believed that anger is from the Satan and the cure for it lies in submitting oneself to the will of Allah. Allah says in the Quran that Satan is you enemy. He will make every possible move to deceive you into evil and lead as many humans as possible to the hell fire. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have said that Satan attacks from the left, right, centre, up and down. He has been given permission to access and manipulate the depths of hearts and brains. So when satan plays one of his tricks, it is important for us to safeguard ourselves and seek refuge in Allah. Allah says that whenever we feel satan is tricking us into evil, we should immediately recite tauz ie. "Aauzo billiahi minashaitau nirrajeem" meaning, "I seek refuge in Allah from the cursed Satan."
Further tips to avoid the effects of Satan into out thinking and deeds include:

• Always say Bismillah hirrahaman nirraheem before eating or drinking anything. Satan feeds off anything on which Allah's name is not mentioned.
• Satan sleeps in that house in which Salam is not said while entering that house. So always say Salam while entering the house.
  Practicing all this will weaken Satan and thus he will not be able to harm you, In sha Allah.

The person who can control anger can control almost every other emotion and thus can prevent anger to get the better of him/her. Anger often leads to words, actions and decisions which are regretted later and causes loss of trust, harmony and relations. That is why the Prophet mentioned in another hadith: "The powerful man is not the one who can wrestle, but the powerful man is the one who can control himself at the time of anger." Controlling anger can be an indicator of the strength of one’s personality.

Allah also mentions in the Quran that the believers have the quality of controlling their anger. In fact when they get angry, they forgive. They do this because they know that all things in this life is temporary and that a greater life awaits them after death. Those who spend (in Allah’s cause) in prosperity and in adversity, who repress their anger, and who pardon men, verily, Allah loves the al-Muhsinun (the good-doers).” (3:134)

When in angry, stay quiet. Do not utter words to hurt or demean others deliberately.

Don't be violent to cool oneself; but to correct the individual's mistake for his/her betterment. This is the same difference between a doctor and a thief. A doctor sometimes causes pain to the patient so that he can get cured faster. Whereas a thief causes pain or loss to the owner so that he is benefited at the cost of the owner of the assets he is robbing.

Do ablution when in anger. The Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have said that ablution wipes out anger as water extinguishes fire. “Anger comes from the devil, the devil was created from fire, and fire is extinguished only with water. So when one of you becomes angry, he should make wudu.”

Always , always, remember Allah when angry. This is the most effective method because as and when we remember Allah we realize that nothing is in our hands in this world for He is All powerful over all things. This also makes us realize our mistakes and shortcomings and in the process of getting angry, we become humble.

Make forgiving people as a part of our personality. Allah will forgive the ones to forgives others, on the Day of Judgement.

Change your posture when you're angry. When standing, sit,when sitting, lie down.

Imagine your face in mirror when you're angry. A good-natured person will try to protect it from hi/her face becoming such.

Although we have seen how anger is sourced from evil and its counter effects on our body and soul, it is a sign of value and principle to get angry on some issues. But again, this anger needs to be channelized in proper ways to get the best out of it. In a famous hadith the Prophet (peace be upon him) has said. "Whenever a believer sees anything evil he tries to stop it with his hands. If he is not able to do that he tries to stop it with his mouth (words) and even if that is not possible he considers that act as an evil in his heart, an that is the least level of faith."

So I hope this article will help you think more deeply about our anger and how we take its effect so lightly in our lives and follow the advice given by Allah and His Prophet as a guide to avoid anger in our lives.

May the Quran be a source of guidance and the life of the Prophet as a model for us to follow in our lives. Aaameen.