—a spiritual power by which one overcomes Satan, for it is Satan who casts that live ember into your heart so that you grow angry.

Thus, this ḥadith urges a person to keep control of himself when anger strikes and not to surrender to it, for afterwards he will regret it. How often does a man flare up and pronounce divorce upon his wife—perhaps with the very last pronouncement he has left!

Just as often a person, in a fit of rage, ruins his own property, whether by burning or smashing it. He may lose his temper with his son and strike him—sometimes even fatally. He may likewise vent his fury on his wife and beat her severely. Countless calamities of this sort befall a person when he is angry.

For that reason the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, forbade a judge to pass judgment between two litigants while he is angry, because anger prevents the judge from properly grasping the case and then from applying the Sharīʿah ruling to it; he would go astray and judge the people unjustly.

The author—may Allah have mercy on him—also cites the report narrated by Sulaymān—may Allah be pleased with him—about two men who insulted one another in the Prophet’s presence. One of them became so enraged that the veins in his neck swelled and his face reddened. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “I know a word which, if he were to say it, what he is feeling would leave him: he should say, ‘I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Satan.’” Seeking refuge with Allah means taking shelter in Him from the accursed Satan, for what has afflicted the man comes from Satan. Accordingly, when a person becomes angry, the prescribed course is to restrain himself, remain patient, and seek refuge with Allah from