Second:
The devil who assails him has been explained as one who assails a person when he is angry. Abū Bakr therefore feared that, in anger, he might wrong one of his subjects, so he instructed them to keep away from him when he was angry.
As recorded in the Sahīh, the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:
“A judge must not adjudicate between two people while he is angry.” (1)
He thus prohibited passing judgment when (2) angry. This is precisely what Abū Bakr intended (3): he wished not to pass judgment while angry, and instructed them (4) not to seek a judgment from him or press him (5) to give one in that state. This was an expression of his obedience to Allah and His Messenger.
Third:
It may be said that anger overtakes all the children of Adam. Even the foremost of Adam’s descendants said:
“O Allah, I am only human; I become angry as other people do. I have taken a pledge from You that You will never break (6): any believer whom I harm, insult, or flog—make that an expiation for him