When Tempers Hit Boiling Point

 

When Tempers
Hit Boiling Point

Dr. Hassan Shamsi Basha

Al-Jumuah Magazine Volume 12 - Issue 4
– Rabi’ut Thani 1421 H

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Self-control helps one avoid physiological
and psychological harm as well as gain great rewards from Allâh for
his patience. 

 

A man came to The Prophet of Allâh,
sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, saying, “ ‘O Prophet of Allâh, command
me.’  The Prophet replied, ‘Do not lose your temper.’ “ (Bukhaaree). 
The Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, also said, “Strength is in
the power to control oneself in anger, not in the size of the muscles.” 

The advice of the Prophet, sallallaahu
'alayhi wa sallam, to control one’s temper was based upon his knowledge
of the harmful effects of stress and anger on the person himself as well
as on those surrounding him.  At the same time he knew that this advice
was not easy to follow so he described a strategy that a person may use
to control his anger.  He was asked, “ ‘So messenger of Allâh,
what is the treatment [for anger]?’  The Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi
wa sallam, said, ‘If a man gets angry while he is sitting standing up,
he should sit until he regains composure.  Otherwise, he should lie
down.’ “ (Ahmad and Bukhaaree).

To truly appreciate the advice of The Prophet
of Allâh, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, one must investigate in
more depth the impact of anger on the body and how changing one’s position
relates to being angry.  The feeling of anger creates hormonal activities
in the body.  A gland named the adrenal gland situated on top of each
of the kidneys controls this activity.  The hormone adrenaline is
secreted by the adrenal gland in response to any physical or emotional
stress the body undergoes.  Such stress could be fear, anger, or a
drop in blood-sugar level, disease or surgery.  The adrenal gland
also secretes another hormone, noradrenaline, even though the main source
of this hormone is the sympathetic nerve endings at the heart.  Both
of the hormones are related to each other and are secreted into the body
together.

One of the effects of anger is the increased
production of these two hormones.  Since one of the two hormones is
secreted by the heart, in a situation of anger, the heart is caused to
work harder.  The heartbeat becomes faster and with an irregular pattern. 
This change in the heart is so intense, it can be felt by some people while
they are under stress.  In addition, by becoming angry and overworking
the heart, the contractions of the heart muscles increase in order to supply
more oxygen, placing pressure on the arteries.  For this reason, people
with heart problems endangering their health when they become angry. 
Patients with narrow arteries are at risk for heart attacks, as their arteries
may not withstand sudden rushed of blood to the heart.  Increased
levels of the two hormones in the body also raise blood pressure, another
health hazard for blood pressure patients.  Diabetics too are advised
to control their temper, as raised adrenaline also raises blood sugar. 
Diabetics may suffer from high blood sugar levels for extended periods
of time as a result of physical or emotional stress.

Some anger may throw the entire body into
turmoil and trigger serious health conditions for many people.  Perhaps,
this is why the Prophet of Allâh, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam,
emphasised the avoidance of anger by repeating his advice three times:
“Do not get angry.”

This brings us to the prescription given
to us by The Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam.  Harrison, a
renowned medical writer, states: “It is scientifically proven that the
amount of noradrenaline in the blood can double or triple while standing
quietly for five minutes.  Adrenaline is raised slightly by standing. 
But different kinds of mental stress can significantly increase the blood
adrenaline level.”

Simply standing quietly for five minutes
may double the noradrenaline in the blood while slightly raising the adrenaline,
a hormone mainly increased by anger and stress.  Obviously becoming
angry while standing would place great pressure on the body.  Such
is the value of the words of the Prophet of Allâh, sallallaahu 'alayhi
wa sallam, fifteen centuries ago, before the development of sophisticated
medical investigation and study.  “If a man becomes angry while standing,
he should sit down until he regains his composure.  Otherwise, he
should lie down.”  A medical prescription for all times.

In Surah ali-Imran, verse 134, people who
control their anger are among those whom Allâh makes a promise to
forgive and admit into Paradise.  “Those who repress anger and are
able to forgive.  And Allâh loves those who do good.” 
The Prophet of Allâh, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said, “Strength
is in the power to control oneself in anger, not in the size of the muscles.” 
He also said, “Whoever controls his temper while able to retaliate will
be called by Allâh before all of His creations and allowed to select
from among lovely wide-eyed beauties whomever he desires to be wed with.”
(Agreed upon).