Hadith #8092

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the 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:

إنَّكُمْ إنْ أطَعْتُمْ سَوْرَةَ الغَضَبِ أوْرَدَتْكُمْ نِهايَةَ العَطَبِ۔

This Hadith can be translated as:

Verily if you obey the vehemence of anger, it will lead you to the utmost destruction.

Let us delve into the meaning of some important words in this Hadith. The word (sawrata) "سَوْرَةَ" refers to the intensity or strength of anger. It signifies the state of being overwhelmed by anger, losing control, and acting impulsively. The word (al-ghadab) "الغَضَبِ" means anger or wrath. It refers to a strong feeling of displeasure and indignation towards someone or something.

Now, let us turn to the Quran to find verses that support the exegesis of this Hadith. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran (3:134):

Those who restrain their anger and pardon people - and Allah loves the doers of good.

This verse emphasizes the importance of controlling one's anger and forgiving others. It highlights the virtue of suppressing anger and responding with patience and forgiveness.

Furthermore, in Surah Ash-Shura (42:37), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

And those who avoid the major sins and immoralities, and when they are angry, they forgive.

This verse emphasizes the significance of avoiding major sins and immoralities, even when one is angry. It encourages believers to forgive others and not let anger cloud their judgment or lead them towards destructive behavior.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to be cautious of the destructive consequences of unchecked anger. It warns us that if we give in to the intensity of anger and allow it to control our actions, it will ultimately lead us towards ruin and destruction.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his deep knowledge and wisdom, understood the detrimental effects of anger on an individual's spiritual and worldly well-being. He recognized that anger, if not restrained, can lead to regrettable actions, strained relationships, and irreversible damage.

By obeying the (the intensity of anger) "سَوْرَةَ الغَضَبِ", one becomes susceptible to making impulsive decisions that are driven by emotions rather than rationality. These decisions can have severe consequences, both for oneself and for others. It is in this sense that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us that such obedience to anger will lead to the (the utmost destruction) "نِهايَةَ العَطَبِ".

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of self-control and the need to manage our emotions, particularly anger. Islam teaches us to channel our anger in a constructive manner, seeking solutions through dialogue, forgiveness, and patience. By doing so, we can avoid the destructive path that anger can lead us towards.

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a timeless reminder for Muslims to exercise restraint in the face of anger. It urges us to control our emotions and respond with patience and forgiveness. By doing so, we can protect ourselves from the destructive consequences that unchecked anger can bring upon us. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and wisdom to overcome anger and embody the teachings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his noble Ahl al-Bayt.