Curbing Anger A Sign of People of Faith
Anger is among emotions that occurs in different situations and has untoward outcomes such as hatred, disputes, and fighting and undermining human relations in society.
Boosting one’s tolerance and enhancing anger-control skills are recommended to suppress rage. In religious texts, too, curbing anger has been cited as one of the signs of the faithful people.
“…who spend in prosperity and in adversity, for those who curb their anger and those who forgive people. And Allah loves the charitable,” says verse 134 of Surah Al-Imran.
In this verse some characteristics of the pious people who seek God’s forgiveness have been mentioned, among them restraining anger. Interpreters of the Quran have highlighted a series of behaviors that help one curb their anger.
In the previous verses, Riba (usury) has been slammed and in this verse, Infaq (giving alms), forgiveness and helping others have been emphasized.
“(Those) who spend in prosperity and in adversity,” at the beginning of the verse refer to measures that are prelude to curbing anger. The philanthropists and well-wishers in society have a better understanding of other’s weaknesses and therefore forgive others more easily.
It also mentions three stages of behavior for the righteous when facing others’ bad behavior and conduct. It begins with curbing one’s anger and continues with forgiving others and then giving alms and helping others.
It has been reported that a servant of Imam Sajjad (AS), the son of Imam Hussein (AS), was pouring water on his hands while performing ablution when all of a sudden the ewer hit and hurt the Imam’s face. The Imam raised his head towards her. The servant said: Allah says, “Those who restrain their anger.” The Imam said, “I restrained my anger.” She said, “…and pardon men.” The Imam said, “I pardoned you.” She said, “…and Allah loves the charitable and doers of good.” The Imam said, “You are free in the way of Allah.”
Messages of verse 134 of Surah Al-Imran, according to Noor Exegesis of the Quran:
1- Taqwa (God-fearing) is not unrelated to Infaq.
2- Infaq requires generosity not wealth: “… who spend in prosperity and in adversity.”
3- We should never be inattentive to the needs of others: “… who spend in prosperity and in adversity.”
4- The righteous people are not slaves to their instincts but control them: “… those who curb their anger.”
5- Taqwa is not unrelated to tolerance and forgiveness: “… and those who forgive people.”
6- Those who have Taqwa do not live in isolation but and interact with people good-naturedly and help them when they need help.
7- People’s faith is not a precondition for forgiving them: “those who forgive people.”
8- One who wants to become dear to God ought to be prepared to forsake his belongings and possessions and restrain his anger and rage: “And Allah loves the charitable.”
9- Infaq and forgiving people are examples of Ihsan and good deeds.
