[2] The feeling of anger...

[2] The feeling of anger, like any other human feeling, attains its true worth only when it is for the sake of God. If we use this emotion for other than God, our action will certainly bring punishment. If we look at the lives of the great religious figures, we find that they used anger only in defense of truth and justice.

Imam Ali (AS) said: “The Prophet of God never became angry for worldly matters; but whenever his anger was aroused for the sake of truth, he recognized no one and nothing could restrain his anger until he had taken the right’s due” . [3] When Abu Dharr was exiled to the barren desert of Rabadhah, Imam Ali (AS) said to him during the farewell: “O Abu Dharr! You became angry for the sake of God, so place your hope in Him for whom you were angered.

These people feared you for their worldly interests, and you feared them for your religion. So, leave to them the world for which they feared you, and flee from them with your religion for which you were afraid …” . [4] Blameworthy Anger Anger must be expressed for God’s sake and within the limits of moderation; otherwise, it is considered reprehensible and condemned.

Such anger may be directed toward a friend, family member, or anyone else, but in every case, it has been criticized by our religious leaders. In a letter to Harith al-Hamdani, one of his companions and a great jurist, Imam Ali (AS) wrote: “Beware of anger, for it is the great army of Satan” . [5] All human instincts can become a field for Satan’s influence, who strikes through each of them under certain conditions. Anger is one of these states through which Satan darkens human relationships.

If we are not alert in controlling it, Satan will certainly achieve his evil goals. Imam Ali (AS), in warning Harith al-Hamdani and all his followers throughout time, cautions them to be wary of Satanic whispers in social relations and not to hand over their hearts to the army of Satan. Unjustified anger is a Satanic trait and a form of madness. Imam Ali (AS) always faced people with an open and smiling face and avoided any harshness or violence towards the people under her rule.

In a letter to Abdullah ibn Abbas when appointing him governor of Basra, he wrote: “I warn you against anger, for anger begins with madness and is one of Satan’s motives” . [6] Thus, gentleness and avoidance of violence were among the moral and political virtues of Imam Ali (AS). He also said elsewhere: “Harshness is a kind of madness; its possessor regrets it.