TAHAWWUR

Excessive anger or harshness which reaches dangerous levels is called tahawwur (boldness, foolhardiness). A person with tahawwur demonstrates attributes of harshness, wrath and roughness. Opposite of tahawwur is softness (hilm). A soft natured person will not become angry or excited when he encounters a situation which causes anger (ghadab). A cowardly person only harms himself. Conversely, an angry person harms himself as well as others. Wrath may even lead one into disbelief. Rasûlullah ‘sall-Allâhu ’alaihi wa sal-lam’ states in a hadîth-i sherîf: “Anger (Ghadab) blemishes one’s belief.” Rasûlullah ‘sall-Allâhu ’alaihi wa sal-lam’ was never seen to get angry for worldly affairs. He would only get angry for the sake of Allâhu ta’âlâ. A person in a state of anger may say or do something that causes disbelief. An angry person should think ahead that his opponent may react to his anger and do something in response. Anger causes a person’s heart to become unstable and this instability reflects on his face as an ugly and formidable appearance.

Overcoming or controlling anger is called “kâzm”. Successful “kâzm” is a very good and beneficial act and causes one to earn many rewards (thawâbs). Whoever overcomes wrath or anger will be rewarded with Paradise. Allâhu ta’âlâ loves a person very much if he controls his anger for the sake of Allâhu ta’âlâ and forgives his opponent and does not retaliate. The following hadîth-i-sherîfs inform us of this type of person, “If one overcomes his anger for the sake of Allâhu ta’âlâ, Allâhu ta’âlâ will also remove His punishment (’azâb) from him,” and “Allâhu ta’âlâ will love, protect and have mercy on a Muslim who possesses three qualities: one who gives thanks for given blessings; one who forgives an oppressor; one who overcomes his anger ‘ghadab’.” Giving thanks for a given blessing is to use the blessing according to the guidelines set by Islam. In the following hadîth-i-sherîfs Rasûlullah ‘sall-Allâhu ’alaihi wa sal-lam’ stated: “If a person who becomes very angry behaves softly although he has the power to do anything he wishes to, Allâhu ta’âlâ will fill his heart with a feeling of security and with îmân;” and “Anyone who hides or overcomes his anger will be treated equally by Allâhu ta’âlâ, i.e., Allâhu ta’âlâ will hide his shameful deeds and defects.”