Understanding The Prophet's Life
From Issue: 834 [Read full issue]
Anger and Misfortune
Patience is of two kinds: patience in anger and patience in misfortune. As al-Hasan said: "A creature can swallow no bigger draught than the draught of forbearance in anger, and the draught of patience in misfortune." That is because the principle is patience with what causes pain. The man who is brave and courageous is one who patiently endures the cause of pain.
If the painful thing is one that can be got rid of, it stirs up anger: if it is something that cannot be removed, it causes grief. This is why the face turns red from anger, due to the excitation of the blood in one conscious of his power, whereas it turns pale with grief due to the depression of the blood in one conscious of his impotence. This is why the Prophet (peace be upon him) brought the two together in the authenticated Tradition related by Muslim on the authority of Ibn Masud, who said: "The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Who is considered a raqub among you?' They said: 'One to whom no children are born.' — 'That is not a raqub! A raqub is a man who receives nothing from his children. What is considered a suraa among you?' We said: 'One whom men cannot throw down.' — 'Not so, a suraa is one who controls himself in anger.'" Thus what he mentioned includes both patience in misfortune and patience in anger.
Compiled From:
"Public Duties in Islam" - Ibn Taymiyah, p. 107