Second: His command, peace and blessings be upon him, not to become angry includes a command not to act upon one’s anger. This is because a person is generally unable to prevent or repel anger itself, but he can refrain from acting upon it. He must therefore restrain himself from the forbidden words and deeds to which anger leads. Whenever he restrains himself from the harmful effects of anger, it is as though he had not truly become angry. Allah Most High says, “When they become angry, they forgive.”1 The hadith states, “The strong man is not the one who overpowers others in wrestling; rather, the strong man is the one who controls himself when angry.”2

For this reason, the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, would guide anyone who became angry and instruct him to take the measures that repel and calm anger. He would also command him to seek refuge in Allah from Satan, who stirs anger within hearts, foments strife, and calls people to evil and corruption.

Al-Bukhārī and Muslim narrated that Sulaymān ibn Surad, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “Two men exchanged insults in the presence of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, while we were sitting with him. One of them was angrily insulting the other, and his face had turned red. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, ‘I know a phrase which, if he were to say it, would cause what he is experiencing to leave him. If only he would say: “I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the accursed.”’ They said to the man, ‘Do you not hear what the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is saying?’ He replied, ‘I am not mad.’”3

This hadith indicates that anger arises from Satan’s provocation and that anyone overcome by anger should seek refuge in Allah from him. This is also indicated by the words of Allah Most High: “If you are provoked by Satan, seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, He is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”4