Tossing in bed for hours into the depressing night before sleeping, and rushing angrily for the daily routine as the bad-night sleep made the body too lazy to gather itself early, and going in such a mess to the college acting like a jerk all along the way.
Well, this becomes a routine for most of the people leading them into a vicious circle of anger and hatred. For a successful and happy life, this cycle needs to be ended.
Anger is the worst of enemy of man, and if not controlled, it leads to bilateral damage; destroying both the hating and the hated. Getting angry is not alien, but human nature; and what is done after getting angry defines the kind of man one is. As Muhammad (peace be upon him) once said: “The strong man is not the good wrestler, but the strong man is he who controls himself when he is angry.”1
When anger overcomes a person, then it pushes him out of the moral boundaries in retaliating; and when anger is controlled it settles the situation for the moment but it creates hatred, destroying relationships and acts as a latent period awaiting the threshold to manifest its ill-effects. Thus, there should be more to a person, besides controlling anger.
Forgiving people, is one of the greatest virtues, which when put into practice, resolves all familial and friendship problems which the people face. It requires more courage, but helps you cherish all your friendship/familial ties without any tension. It lightens the heart, unloads the hatred and creates opportunity to be happy with the people around you. Just imagine, the essence of your heart and emotions when you don’t have anyone to hate, as anyone qualifying for your hate, are forgiven and given a next chance.
Controlling anger and forgiving people are the qualities of people whom God loves.2 The world would be a better place to live when there is love amongst those living on land and they are loved by the one in Heavens. Love everywhere would be attained only when one gains strength to restrain anger and forgive.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) advised one of his companions: Son, if you are able, pass your days and nights in a state that you keep your heart free from malice towards anyone; Oh! My son, this is one of my tradition.3
Angry piercing eyes, dark and heavy hating hearts will be converted to loving eyes, tranquil and open hearts, as soon as the anger is engulfed and forgiveness flows with courage. We should embrace these qualities into our personalities.
References:
1) Narrated by Abu Huraira in Bukhari & Muslim: books of Prophet’s sayings.
2) Al-Quran 3:134
3) Narrated by Anas in Tirmidhi: book of Prophet’s sayings.
