Anger Management
“And those who restrain anger, and those who forgive people”
Surah Ali’Imran 3:139
Anger can resemble an earthquake, shaking your surroundings and leading to unnecessary damage. While one is angry, heat fills their entire body, and their actions are driven from rage. This verse advises us to restrain from anger. It’s crucial to acknowledge that you are angry, to feel it, understand your trigger, then allow yourself a few minutes to cool down before reacting.
Recall the virtues of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), how he spoke kindly even to the most aggressive people, and reflect on the love that Jesus emanated toward his enemies. Restraining from anger will benefit ourselves, others, and the circumstances. As behavioral change expert Karen Salmahson mentions, “anger is a boomerang,” where the physical and psychological impacts of anger will remain with you.
The verse also reminds us of the transformative power of forgiveness; as an act of mercy towards others and as a means of personal peace and liberation from negative emotions. Research shows that forgiveness lowers cortisol and reduces inflammation, allowing the nervous system to return to balance. Forgiveness can be a pathway to healing and inner peace.
“The best fighter is never angry”
Lao Tzu
When you face a situation that triggers your anger: pause and take a deep breath, allowing yourself a moment to calm down, and feel the light of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in your entire body, helping to cool down the heat of anger.
Imagine a crossroad where you can choose between two paths:
Consciously choose the path of your higher self, focusing on love and light as your guiding forces.
Make a conscious decision to forgive those who have angered you. Remember that forgiveness is more for your peace than for the other person.
“To handle our anger with full adequacy and competence, an elaborate, flexible response system is required. It is no wonder, then, that to learn to handle our anger is a complex task which usually cannot be completed before adulthood, or even mid-life, and which often is never completed.”
The Road Less Traveled – M. Scott Peck
“Each episode of anger adds an additional stress to the heart by increasing his heart rate and blood pressure. When that is repeated over and over again, it can do damage,”
Emotional Intelligence – Daniel Goleman
