Episode 7 - Obeying God When Angry

Obedience to Allah During Anger

Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah. Brothers and sisters, sometimes we say things or do actions that do not please Allah the Almighty, and we excuse ourselves by saying that we were in a state of anger. We forget that we are commanded to obey Allah even in our emotions, for we are commanded not to get angry.

Yes, we read His saying: {And those who restrain anger and who pardon the people}. And everyone knows the hadith "Do not get angry." And since Allah does not burden a soul more than it can bear, then it is within our capacity to avoid anger. Therefore, anger is not an excuse.

The Companions' Response to Anger

How did the companions, may Allah be pleased with them, respond to the command of Allah while they were in a state of anger? We will answer from a story in Sahih al-Bukhari.

It mentions that al-Hurr bin Qays was one of the people whom the Commander of the Faithful, Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, would bring close to him and consult with him, because he was one of the reciters, meaning people of knowledge and action according to the Quran. These are the qualifications of a person to be a consultant to Umar, for Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, did not have favoritism, influence, lineage, or wealth.

Al-Hurr bin Qays had an uncle named Uyaynah bin Hisn. Uyaynah came from outside the city and asked his nephew to bring him to Umar. And indeed, they entered upon him, may Allah be pleased with him. It seems that Uyaynah bin Hisn wanted a gift from Umar.

What do we expect him to say? "Peace be upon you, O Commander of the Faithful, I have come to ask you for a gift of money to use it for such and such, O Opener, O Knower, O Provider, O Generous One"? No.

He said, "Peace be upon you," and did not call him Commander of the Faithful nor even by his name Umar. Then he accused him of neglecting his flock, saying, swearing by Allah, "By Allah, you do not give us generously," meaning you do not give us much, "nor do you judge between us with justice." With whom? With the symbol of justice, Umar!

As if Uyaynah wanted thereby to provoke Umar to defend himself and give him a large gift. Umar became angry to the point of almost falling upon him, of course, the manner was very provocative.

Imagine the shame of al-Hurr bin Qays from the action of his uncle. So al-Hurr said, "O Commander of the Faithful, Allah the Almighty said to His Prophet, peace be upon him: {Take what is given freely, enjoin what is right, and turn away from the ignorant} and this one is from the ignorant."

Ibn Abbas said, "By Allah, Umar did not go beyond it when he recited it to him," meaning he did not act contrary to this verse, and he was stopped by the Book of Allah. A verse from the Book of Allah extinguished Umar's anger and prevented him from taking revenge on himself.

Lessons Learned

Did this diminish the value of Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, or did it raise his status with Allah and with the people? Therefore, O brother, do not say that I am angry, as if anger gives you the green light to do as you please. Rather, stand by the Book of Allah as Umar stood, so that Allah may honor you in both worlds.

So if someone wrongs you and slanders you, take forgiveness, enjoin what is right, and turn away from the ignorant. Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.