Furthermore, Satan—may Allah protect us from him—gains hold of a person when he is angry, driving him to commit sins and inciting him to insults, harm, and criminal acts. When a Muslim seeks refuge in Allah, he is guarded against Satan and protected from his evil.

Among the measures the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, instructed an angry person to take is to keep away from everything that might further provoke him and bring him closer to taking revenge, whether in word or deed.

As for words, Imam Ahmad narrated from Abdullah ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “If any one of you becomes angry, let him remain silent.” He repeated this three times1.

This is because, when an angry person speaks in the heat of his anger, his words will most likely be transgressive and hurtful. It is therefore better for him to refrain from speaking until his anger subsides. Once it has subsided, his speech will be measured and his words gracious. His speech when angry will then closely resemble, or even equal, his speech when pleased, containing neither injustice nor aggression.

Among the blessed prophetic supplications are the words of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: “I ask You to enable me to speak the truth in anger and contentment”2. Yet it is rare for a person to speak nothing but the truth, whether angry or pleased.

As for actions, Imam Ahmad, Abu Dāwūd, and others narrated from Abu Dharr, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “If any one of you becomes angry while standing, let him sit down. If his anger leaves him, so much the better; otherwise, let him lie down”3.