The Tension Created in People by Hatred and Anger

Among moral characteristics, hatred and anger play a very substantial role in causing people to fall into trouble and sorrow. In daily life, people may come across unpleasant behavior as well as many events which do not please them. In such circumstances, some immediately become angry and do not stop there, but turn their inner anger into hatred.

The faithful pay no attention to this tendency within themselves because Allah defines those of His followers who earn His approval and reach Paradise, as "those who give in times of both ease and hardship, those who control their rage and pardon other people—Allah loves the good-doers" (Surah Al 'Imran: 134).

Because of this, the faithful take refuge in Allah from anger and hatred and pray like this:

... "Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and do not put any rancor in our hearts towards those who believe. Our Lord, You are All-Gentle, Most Merciful." (Surat al-Hashr: 10)

For the faithful, feelings of hatred or rage against other believers should really be feared and avoided because in the Qur'an, Allah tells us that the faithful are one another's guardians: "Your friend is only Allah and His messenger and those who believe: those who perform prayer and give alms, and bow" (Surat al-Ma'ida: 55).

Faced with people who love Allah, seek His approval, live out the morality of the Qur'an and devote their lives to serving their religion, feeling such emotions as hatred or anger shows that faith has not fully taken root in a person's heart. Such insincerity towards Allah and His followers makes a person unable to live in the tranquility and happiness of faith as he should.

People like this cannot at all protect themselves against the effects of unexpected events, which, in fact, they could easily tolerate. A simple incident or somebody else's innocent mistake is enough to enrage them.
Because sometimes they see only through the eyes of anger, they may perceive even perfectly normal behavior as infuriating. Under anger's influence, they cannot think clearly or evaluate events fairly and objectively. More important, their momentary desire to satisfy their anger take precedence before a great many other goals.

Although they know that Allah wants for them to conquer their anger and behave charitably and forgivingly, being under the influence of their lower selves, they cannot keep themselves from growing angry. In the Qur'an, Allah tells people to "make allowances for people, command what is right, and turn away from the ignorant" (Surat al-A'raf: 199).

Because of this, a believer seeking Allah's approval will forgive the faults of his brothers and sisters among the faithful, even if they made serious mistakes.

Moreover, these people shouldn't deceive themselves by hiding their hatred and anger inside and not showing it outwardly. What Allah wants is for people not to feel these emotions, even secretly. They also forget that Allah knows what they conceal in their hearts. Allah tells us in a verse:

Or did those with sickness in their hearts imagine that Allah would not expose their malevolence? (Surah Muhammad: 29)

As with all moral defects, hatred and anger harm those who harbor them far more than they injure anyone else. Most of the time, others are not aware that they are feeling like this, though at the time, the people feeling so can think of nothing else.

So long as they cannot cast out the anger in their hearts, they find it impossible to concentrate on any other matter, use their intelligence, do work or even hold a normal conversation with others.
Nor can the physical effects of anger be taken lightly. This type of moral defect is usually the root of such ailments as internal upsets, headaches, stomachaches and insomnia.

These moral defects arise from forgetfulness of Allah, their destiny, and of the fact that they are being tested and will be called upon to give an account in the Hereafter. Reflecting on these things, it is impossible to think for hours, days or even weeks about another's behavior and harbor anger in one's heart as a result.

Anyone who fears Allah in the true sense is aware that his lower self deceives him on such matters and behaves as Allah instructs us:

As for those who guard against evil, when they are bothered by visitors from satan, they remember and immediately see clearly. (Surat al-A'raf: 201)

Hatred and anger prevent any true conception of friendship, love and togetherness from developing. Such people always remain friendless and alone; and it is impossible for a friendless, lonely person to be happy and enjoy blessings. People have been created to derive pleasure from sharing friendship, love, affection and joy with others, and from being in the company of those they trust.

Because loneliness and friendlessness are against human nature, they weary people and plunge them into sorrow. No matter how much people may claim, "I am happy to be alone.

I love nobody except myself and take comfort from this," they are not sincere. They remain unhappy because of their hatred of others, or their inability to find anyone with whom they can form a friendship. They say such things only to make others believe they are happy.

People who cannot make friends often befriend dogs, cats and birds out of desperateness, which is the motive behind their becoming so devoted to them and even talking to these animal pets as if they were human. In short, hatred and anger are against human nature and inevitably drive people into loneliness, unhappiness and helplessness.

In Paradise, there is no place for hatred and anger, as we are told in these verses: "'Enter them in peace, in complete security!' We will strip away any rancor in their hearts—brothers, resting on couches face-to-face" (Surat al-Hijr: 46-47).

This being the case, a believer whose aim is Paradise needs to purge himself of these moral defects.