Hadith #8120

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Praise be to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), the Lord of all worlds, and blessings and peace be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ), and his noble companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he addresses the issue of anger and revenge. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his wisdom and deep understanding of Islam, seeks guidance on the appropriate response to anger and the desire for revenge.

Let us first examine the important words in this Hadith. The word (ghayzi) "غَيْظي" refers to anger, while (ashfi) "أشْفِي" means to vent or express. The word (ghadibtu) "غَضِبْتُ" is the past tense of the verb (ghadiba) "غَضِبَ", which means to become angry. The word (a'jizu) "أعْجِزُ" means to be incapable or powerless, while (al-intiqam) "الاِنْتِقامِ" refers to seeking revenge. The word (sabarta) "صَبَرْتَ" means to be patient, and (afawta) "عَفَوْتَ" means to forgive.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, we turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran (3:134):

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

This ayah emphasizes the importance of restraining anger and pardoning others. It teaches us that it is better to control our anger and forgive others, even when we have the power to seek revenge. This aligns with the second part of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) question, where he asks if it is better to forgive when he has the ability to exact revenge.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-A'raf (7:199), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

Take what is given freely, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant.

This ayah encourages us to respond to ignorance and wrongdoing with goodness and kindness, rather than seeking revenge. It reminds us that forgiveness and patience are virtues that bring us closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) question reflects his deep understanding of the teachings of the Quran. He acknowledges that there are times when one may feel incapable of seeking revenge, and at other times, one may possess the power to do so. However, he seeks guidance on which course of action is better in the eyes of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

The consequences of acting upon anger and seeking revenge can be detrimental to both individuals and society. It can lead to a cycle of violence and further harm, causing divisions and discord among people. On the other hand, practicing patience and forgiveness promotes unity, harmony, and peace.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) question serves as a reminder for Muslims to reflect on their own actions and responses when faced with anger and the desire for revenge. It urges us to prioritize forgiveness and patience, even when we have the power to seek revenge. By doing so, we align ourselves with the teachings of the Quran and the noble example set by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of controlling our anger and choosing forgiveness over revenge. It reminds us that patience and forgiveness are virtues that bring us closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and promote peace and harmony in society. As Muslims, we should strive to follow the guidance of the Quran and the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in all aspects of our lives. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength to control our anger and the wisdom to choose forgiveness over revenge.