|
WRATH
Wrath-gazap-
is a mood in which one’s spirit almost exceeds the
body and heart overflows in excitement. The indications
of this feeling are seen on the whole parts of the body.
The cause of the feeling
is a wish to take the revenge on the person who gave pain
before. When this desire rises in the spirit this gets the
body into motion and cause physical changes. Mental abilities
are also affected badly. The brilliance of mind is dissepeares
and its healthy functioning is delayed. Some physicians
explain this mental state with the following example: A
dark and deep cave covered with flames and smoke. It’s
difficult to have gone out such a fire. Trying to persuade
an excessively wrathful person with advices, pleasant speeches
are like trying to have gone out the fire in the cave with
some water. Even little water may cause to increase the
flames.
The temperaments of
people are varied and different concerning the endurance
to the pressure of wrath. The disposition of some people
towards the pressure of wrath is like gunpowder and flame
which flare up easily. Such people suffer a great pain and
boil up in anger when they hear a word that cause revenge
or witness such a situation. Their heart and feelings are
darkened. It becomes difficult or impossible to bring them
reason by making advices, pleasant speeches and even by
force. Some people have also a tendency of getting angry
but they do not quickly flare up like the former ones. Others
like dried firewood which catch fires quickly and goes out
easily. This is different from the second group of people.
Some others are like wet firewood which catches fire with
difficulty and goes out with a little effort. This type
of temperament is the one which is most preferred. People
known as wise, learned, dignified and sound have this kind
of disposition.
The flame of wrath does
not flare up unless all the causes come together. Wrath
can only be understandable for a legitimate cause and to
protect the sense of honor. When these causes disappear,
one’s soul gets free of the chain of the anger. Heart
can only be calmed by accepting the mind as guide and following
the commands of religion. That is the way of virtue.
People’s
nature concerning wrath can be defined in four groups:
1) Some of them get angry late and calm down quickly.
2) Quickly become wrathful and calm down easily.
3) To some anger comes late and goes late.
4) Wrath comes quickly and goes late.
The most virtuous of
all is the one to which anger comes late and goes quickly.
The worst of all is the one to which wrath comes quickly
and goes late. Because the least of wrath is accepted, the
much of it is bad.
Imam Gazali said: For
a ruler, showing anger against the people under his authority
may cause him to behave wrong. The judgement he make in
such a situation may turn to oppression and tyranny. In
his sayings, our Prophet Muhammed (p.be upon him) also recommended
that a judge shouldn’t give a decision while he is
wrathful. Because, wrath is a kind of feeling which is similar
to insanity and drunkenness. Just as the judgment and contract
of insane and drunk are invalid, this is a similar situation.
The flames of anger cover the heart which is the center
of knowledge and the mind, centre of reason. How is it possible
for such a mind and heart to make a judgment based on justice
and virtue.
Indication of anger
can be seen on the face of a person and his voice becomes
louder. He displays wrong behaviors. Others who witness
this can clearly understand how anger cause evil behaviors
like the acts of mindless people and how anger is contrary
to wisdom.
Wrath causes mental
and physical harm. Even sometimes it may cause sudden death.
Since heart is flare up with the flame of wrath and the
bodily changes caused by anger are added to this excitement.
This excitement turns towards the outside of the body. If
a person’s strength is not enough to balance these
changes they may result in death.
The first four caliphs
hesitated to execute a sentence and to apply a punishment
while they are wrathful. Because, in such a state, there
is a possibility to give a share to himself by turning back
from the aim of Allah’s sake. Once , Khalifa Omar
(may Allah bless him) became angry and started telling wrathful
words while applying punishment to a drunk person. He thought
that he was angry and immediately delayed the punishment.
Omar Ibn-i Abdul- aziz
was going to punish someone. He got angry and started to
rebuke the person. But he perceived his state at once and
gave up the punishment and said: “If you didn’t
infuriate me I would punish you.”
Some great Greek philosophers
said: “I keep the hope of salvation, and see the possibility
of return for people who are under the danger of destructive
forces, storms, lightings, wavy seas. Since some measures
can be taken for them. But I do not think safety is possible
for a person who is full up with flared anger, evil flames
of rage, and I do not hope salvation for such a person.
Because it is not likely to calm someone who is flared up
with wrath.”
Who gives remedy to
helpless ones, brings the people who want to pass over the
waves of misery and trouble to the shore of safety, who
helps them to reach a safe place is the generous and gracious
Allah (c.c). But the ones who follow the path of Satan,
who are flared up with evil flames of anger, burn with its
flames are a way from the favor of Allah (c.c) (1)
------------------------------------
(1) Ahlak-i Alai,K.Ali Efendi
|