Imām Sajjād (A) And The Servant That Killed His Son It is...

Imām Sajjād (A) And The Servant That Killed His Son It is related in the eleventh volume of Bihār al-Anwār that Imām Sajjād (a) had guests over at his house. The Imām's servant was bringing a hot kabob on a sharp metal utensil. Suddenly, he accidentally hit the Imām's small child with the utensil and the child died.

The servant immediately recited the verse: “..and those who control their anger.” (3:134) Imām said: “I have controlled my anger.” Then he (a) read the next section of the verse: “..and those who forgive the people.” He continued: “I have also forgiven you.” Then he read the rest of the verse: “..and Allah loves the virtuous.” He continued: “I also free you.” Act in opposition to your nafs . This was a place for forgiving, not anger, because he did not kill the child intentionally.

Do Not Get Angry From False Reports Sometimes a child accidentally breaks a dish and his mother and father get angry. Sometimes they even hit the child. This is a mistake. The child was playing; he did not want to break the dish. These are examples of the principle: do not get angry when the other person did something unintentional. If one gets angry, it is anger without reason. Most of the time when people get angry it is without reason.

There are some people who get angry with someone after hearing something about him from another person. But most of the time these stories are false. Acting In Opposition To Expectations Causes Unwarranted Anger Another reason that people become angry in the wrong way is when others act in opposition to their expectations. For example; suppose a person expects his friend to loan him 100 dollars. When he asks his friend, his friend refuses and does not give him the money.

Here, the person gets angry at his friend and his anger remains in his heart. This is dangerous. It has been related that Imām Sādiq (a) told his followers not to ask people for things unless it is necessary. The reason for this is clear, when one asks for something and does not get it, he becomes upset. His being upset turns into anger. But, we must think positively of the person who did not give whatever was asked for. Maybe he did not have what was asked for.

Maybe he needed what was asked for. Did he owe it to me? Was it obligatory for him to give it to me?