MNOC 25 VALUES:SELF CONTROL IN ISLAM

SELF CONTROL IN ISLAM

Hadith:

Strong of character indeed is the man who controls himself in wrath, and not he who shows clemency after wrath.
	(Hadith al-Bukhari)

Referring to the above hadith, the Prophet (s.a.w.) defined the real strength as not physical strength, but rather the ability to contain the self in times of wrath. Prophet (s.a.w.) did not actually say "he who never gets angry", for he knew the anger was an inborn instinctual drive in man, but he who can control his anger.

How to Exercise Self Control?

There are two sources of strength in managing to exercise self control. These are the heart and the mind.

1. Heart - it becomes an element of strength in maintaining order in one's soul when the heart is alive, soft, pure and strong. The term "heart" is used more than one hundred and forty times in the Holy Qur'an to refer to the seat of understanding and cognition.

Ali bin Abi Talib has said: "Allah has a water container in the earth, which is a heart. The hearts that Allah likes most are those which are the softest, the purest, and the strongest." Then Ali explained the meaning of these words, namely, "strongest in religion, purest in trust, and softest towards one's brother." Then Ali added, "The hearts of believers are pure and full of light."

2. Mind - The rational faculty of one's soul, known as the mind, and the spiritual faculty, known as the intellect or spirit, can contribute to victory over the material faculty, known as the body, if both mind and spirit are supplied with knowledge from experience and study. Such knowledge makes possible discrimination between good and bad, and can bring one closer to Allah, so one can know His strength and greatness.

Hadith 1:

*The greatest dignity bestowed by Allah on His creatures was the human mind and spirit*
	(Hadith, al-Tirmidhi)

Hadith 2:

*A person tries to get closer to Allah with various good deeds; get yourself closer to Allah with knowledge.*
	(Hadith, al-Tirmidhi)

The highest achievements come from the faculties of the mind and spirit, because they can direct one to the right path and protect one from evil. The most dangerous disease that strikes those who are defeated is the disease of doubt. Satan makes them feel uncertain about everything they do, in order to cause them to deviate from the right way of Allah. The best way, according to Islamic wisdom, in order to avoid Satan's influences is to remember Allah by invoking Him at the beginning of everything we do.

"Hastiness is from Satan, and caution (carefulness) is from Allah the Almighty."

Among ways to get self control are:

Read Qur'an

Reading the Qur'an, is one of the ways for a person to defend against the evil one.

Purify the heart

If the heart is not ready for knowledge, it is not likely to be impressed by truth. Purification of the heart and psyche is a necessary step towards truth.

Get education

Education plays a vital and indispensable role in controlling instinctive energies. It promotes healthy growth and cutting potentially disruptive behavior.