Sake of the truth

Anger and violence

Anger, which is not for the sake of the truth, and violence in facing different events and in dealing with others or because of a mistake of one’s wife or children are satanic states and devilish powers that move the possibilities of deviation in the inner feelings of man.

Controlling one’s anger and suppressing rage are among the good morals that are necessary for every Muslim. Man at anger and violence becomes as a captive of these satanic motives and he involves in the quicksand of deviation. He acts just to relieve the latent rage inside him and then he may commit bad doing that he will not be able to repair later on.

Suppressing one’s anger, pardoning the others and being kind to them are from the signs of piety and they cause one to be beloved by Allah Who has said in the Qur'an;

“…and those who restrain (their) anger and pardon people; and Allah loves the doers of good (to others).” Qur'an, 3:134

The Prophet (s) has said, ‘If one of you becomes angry while he is standing, let him sit down and if his anger will not be relieved, let him lie down.’[1]

The Prophet (s) has said to Imam Ali (s), ‘Do not be angry! When you become angry, sit down and think of the power of Allah over the people and His patience with them. If it said to you “fear Allah”, get rid of your anger and go back to your patience!’[2]

Imam Ali (s) has said, ‘Beware of anger for its beginning is madness and its end is regret!’[3]

Imam al-Baqir (s) has said, ‘Whoever suppresses his anger while he is able to carry it out Allah will fill his heart with security and faith.’[4]

Imam as-Sadiq (s) has said, ‘Anger is the key of every evil.’[5]

Spite and hatred

Spite, hatred and enmity towards people without a legal excuse are outcomes of malevolence and diseased inners; therefore they are prohibited in the Sharia.

One, who bears spite and hatred towards others, will wrong and oppress them and then involve in sins and disobediences to satisfy his hatred and to relieve his hidden complexes.

A spiteful man lives in spiritual dryness and this dryness reflects on his human relations with the others. He becomes unkind and unloving to people. The Qur’anic verses and the traditions have declared that such a person is far away from the mercy of Allah in this life and the afterlife.

Imam Ali (s) has said, ‘Spite is the meanest of defects.’[6]

‘Spite is one of the natures of evildoers.’[7]

‘Spite is a hidden fire that cannot be put out except by death or a victory.’[8]

‘Pluck evil out of the others’ chests by plucking it out of your own chest!’[9]

‘The cause of seditions is spite.’[10]

‘Whoever discards spite his heart and mind will be at ease.’[11]

‘A spiteful person has no brothers.’[12]

We read in the dua’ (supplication) of Nudba that after the death of the Prophet (s) distresses and ordeals from every side have attacked Ahlul Bayt (s) and all what has happened of great seditions and deviations in the religion and in the life of people which cannot be repaired until the Day of Resurrection were the results of spite, hatred and envy rooted in the hearts of some of the unjust people.

Stinginess

Stinginess is a negative psychological state that prevents man from spending his money, position or honor for the sake of Allah or caring for the problems of the others in order to solve them or helping the needy or fulfilling the needs of his fellows and the likes.

Stinginess is a satanic feature and moral coming out of one’s dark inners away from the exalted human morals. It is one of the features of evildoers and enviers.

The Qur'an denies stinginess strongly, dispraises the stingy and declares that they will deserve severe torment and painful punishment on the Day of Resurrection.

“And let not those deem, who are niggardly in giving away that which Allah has granted them out of His grace, that it is good for them; nay, it is worse for them; they shall have that whereof they were niggardly made to cleave to their necks on the resurrection day.” Qur'an, 3:180

“…and (as for) those who hoard up gold and silver and do not spend it in Allah's way, announce to them a painful chastisement. On the day when it shall be heated in the fire of hell, then their foreheads and their sides and their backs shall be branded with it; this is what you hoarded up for yourselves, therefore taste what you hoarded.” Qur'an, 9:34-35

The Prophet (s) has said, ‘The least comfortable people are the stingy.’[13]

Imam Ali (s) has said, ‘Stinginess contains all the defects and it is a rein with which it is led to every bad.’[14]

Imam as-Sadiq (s) has said, ‘A stingy person is one who becomes stingy with what Allah has imposed on him.’[15]