It is anger that drives a man to seek revenge; anger is the intellect’s ogre—its foe and its blight. We have dealt with this at length in the Book on Anger in the Quarter of the Soul-Destroying Vices. Whenever anger prevails, one ought to lean toward pardon, school himself in generosity and forbearance. Let that become your habitual state and you will resemble the prophets and the saints; make the discharge of anger your habit and you will resemble wild beasts and cattle.

An anecdote: It is said that Abū Jaʿfar al-Manṣūr once ordered a man’s execution while al-Mubārak ibn al-Faḍl was present. Al-Mubārak said, “Commander of the Faithful, allow me to relate a report before you kill him. Al-Ḥasan al-Baṣrī transmitted from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him: ‘On the Day of Resurrection, when all creatures are gathered on a single plain, a herald will proclaim, “Let those who have a claim with Allah stand up!” No one will rise except those who pardoned people.’” Al-Manṣūr then said, “Release him, for I have pardoned him.”

Most often the wrath of rulers is provoked by anyone who mentions them and lets his tongue run against them; they then strive to spill his blood.

Jesus, peace be upon him, said to John son of Zechariah: “If someone mentions you and speaks the truth about you, thank Allah; if he speaks falsely about you, thank Him even more, for that enlarges your record of deeds while you sit at ease”—meaning that his good deeds are transferred to your ledger.

A man was once mentioned in the presence of the Messenger of Allah, and it was said, “So-and-so is a strong and courageous man.” He asked, “In what sense?” They replied, “He overpowers everyone; he has never wrestled a person without throwing him down.” The Prophet answered, “The truly strong and courageous man is the one who masters his own self, not the one who throws others down.”

He, peace and blessings be upon him, also said: “Three qualities, whoever possesses them has perfected his faith: he who suppresses his anger, acts justly whether pleased or displeased, and pardons when he has the power to punish.” And ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb said, “Do not rely on a man’s character until you have tested him in anger.”

Another anecdote: It is related that al-Ḥasan ibn ʿAlī once heard that a certain man had spoken ill of him. He took a platter filled with select dates, carried it himself to the man’s house, and knocked at the door. The man came out, opened it, and saw al-Ḥusayn standing there with the tray. He said, “What