Taken from the lectures of Ml Hakeem Akhtar Shb
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Anger is not a bad thing, but to use it in a wrong place is bad. The use of anger in the right place, e.g. in fighting against the enemy. When at such a time, someone comes and says, “I humbly present myself in front of you,” it will be forbidden to treat him with humility, but rather say, “Is there anyone to confront me?” However, when anger is concerning oneself, then the following verse will apply to him, “Men of Allah are those who swallow their anger and control themselves.”

Moulana Thanwi Rahmatullahi Alai used to say that the intention is not to destroy bad habits, but to channelize them in the correct direction. For example, someone has anger in him which is a bad habit. Before his reformation he used it for himself, i.e. if someone told him something unbecoming, or he was harmed by someone, he immediately lost control and let out his anger. But after he reformed, the direction of his anger changed. Now he gets angry on witnessing the disobedience of Allah and his enmity is now directed towards the enemies of Allah.

If the ‘SELF’ (nafs) encourages towards sin, and one becomes angry with one’s self not to sin, then anger at such a time is commendable.

With reference to anger, Allah in the Quran mentions the word “Kazm”. Allâmah Aloosi As Sayyid Mahmood, the Mufti of Baghdad has explained this in his commentary, Roohul Ma’âni, that “Kazm” means to fasten a string around the mouth of a water bag which is filled to the brim. Thus Allâh Ta’âla states that when anger surges up in you, before you begin to talk vulgarly, swear and speak anything harmful, immediately tie your mouth up with the string of “Kazm”.

Now, let us see what is the difference of “Ghaiz” and “Ghadhab”. Sometimes, the workers in the office speak amongst themselves that “today the boss is fuming with rage; perhaps he had a fight with his wife.” Allâmah Âloosi Rahmatullahi alaih has explained that the meaning of “Ghaiz” is that when one is angered, he controls himself and holds back his frustration. In “Ghadhab”, one intends to take revenge. “Ghaiz” can be used only for the creation and not for the Creator (Allah) while “Ghadhab” can be used for both, the creation and the Creator. Allâmah Âloosi Rahmatullahi alaih has explained four Ahadith concerning this verse for only the one on whom the Quran was revealed can explain the commentary of the above verse.

The first Hadith is, “One who controls his anger despite having strength to enforce it, Allah will fill his heart with Iman and peace.” This means that a person has full strength to enforce his anger and there is no obstacle preventing him from doing so, yet he swallows his anger and forgives the person only out of the fear of Allah. Allah will then bless such a person with the above reward. What a great reward for controlling one’s anger! The elders have explained that one who swallows the bitter sip of anger which means that he controls it, Allah will change all that anger into Noor. Together with this, another commentary is given: That anger which takes place for Allah or for the affairs of Deen is an exceptional type of anger, as Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallam also got angry when witnessing the disobedience towards Allah. His blessed face would turn red as if pomegranate juice had been sprinkled on it. Therefore, one should get angry on the disobedience of Allah.

The second Hadith is: “Anyone who wants high palaces and high stages in Jannah, should forgive the one oppressing him, he should give to the one who deprives him, and he should keep up relations and communication with one who severs ties.” Certain blood relatives are such that even if one does a million kindnesses to them, they do not do so in return. The rule for them is that even if they keep severing ties, one should keep maintaining ties with them and forgive them. We learn from this Hadith that Allah has promised beautiful mansions and high stages for the person who practises the above.

The third Hadith is: “On the day of Qiyaamah, Allah will call out: “Stand up, whoever has a right upon Me.” No one will stand up, except that person who forgave another’s mistakes in the world. Whoever earned this wealth and did actions of forgiveness only he will stand up to take his rewards from Allah on that day.”

If a relative is troubling and harming one to such an extent that it is unbearable and through which one’s world and hereafter is being harmed, one should take advice from the Ulama, because for such a person, different rules will apply.

The Sahabah’s (RA) hearts would come alive hearing the voice of Rasulullah SAW and diseases would be cured. Allah blessed them with guidance through the companionship of Prophethood. Through the companionship of saintly people, a power and strength is created within us to act on piety. People who do not have the strength of staying away from a sin for forty years, should stay a few days with saintly people and see what happens. Look! So many drunkards have become pious through the blessings of the company of pious people.