Hadith #2849

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

تَجَرُّعُ غُصَصِ الحِلْمِ يُطْفِيءُ نارَ الغَضَبِ۔

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of forbearance and patience in extinguishing the fire of anger. Let us delve into the meanings of the key words in this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding.

Firstly, (tajarru') "تَجَرُّعُ" means to gulp down or consume. It implies a deliberate and conscious effort to internalize and absorb something. In the context of this Hadith, it refers to the act of fully embracing and embodying the qualities of forbearance and patience.

Secondly, (ghusas al-hilm) "غُصَصِ الحِلْمِ" translates to the agonies or difficulties of forbearance. Here, (hilm) "حِلْمِ" refers to forbearance, which is the ability to remain calm and composed in the face of provocation or adversity. The phrase "غُصَصِ الحِلْمِ" highlights the challenges and struggles that one may encounter while practicing forbearance.

Lastly, (nar al-ghadab) "نارَ الغَضَبِ" means the fire of anger. It symbolizes the intense and destructive nature of anger, which can consume a person's rationality and lead to harmful actions.

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran (3:134),

Who spend [in the cause of Allah] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people - and Allah loves the doers of good.

This verse highlights the importance of restraining anger and forgiving others, which aligns with the message of Imam Ali's Hadith.

Additionally, in Surah Al-A'raf (7:199), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) advises Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to

repel evil with that which is better; and if there is between you and him enmity, then he will be as though he was a devoted friend.

This verse emphasizes responding to negativity with kindness and patience, which is in line with the concept of forbearance mentioned in Imam Ali's Hadith.

Imam Ali's Hadith reminds us that practicing forbearance and patience in the face of adversity can have profound effects. By "gulping down" the difficulties that come with forbearance, we are able to extinguish the fire of anger within ourselves. This means that instead of reacting impulsively and allowing anger to control our actions, we should strive to remain calm and composed.

When we choose to respond to provocation with patience and forgiveness, we not only prevent the escalation of conflicts but also earn the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). By embodying the qualities of forbearance, we become closer to the example set by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), who was known for his immense knowledge and wisdom.

In conclusion, Imam Ali's Hadith emphasizes the importance of practicing forbearance and patience in extinguishing the fire of anger. By internalizing the difficulties that come with forbearance, we can overcome our anger and respond to adversity with composure and forgiveness. This Hadith aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which encourage us to restrain anger, forgive others, and respond to negativity with kindness. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength to embody the qualities of forbearance and patience in our lives.