إِنَّ الْغَضَبَ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ ، وَإِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ خُلِقَ مِنْ نَارٍ ، وَإِنَّمَا تُطْفَأُ النَّارُ بِالْمَاءِ ، فَإِذَا غَضِبَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَتَوَضَّأْ
Verily, anger is from the devil, and the devil is created from fire. Fire can only be extinguished by water. So, if any one of you becomes angry, he should perform Wudu (ablution).
Innal-ghadaba minash-shaytan, wa innal-shaytana khuliqa min nar, wa innama tutfa'u an-naru bil-ma', fa idha ghadiba ahadukum falyatawadda'
When to Read
This advice is crucial for anyone feeling the heat of anger rise within them. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ advised that when anger strikes, the first practical step is to sit down. If you're standing, sit. If you're already sitting, lie down. This physical shift helps to diffuse the intensity of the emotion. Following this, the recommended action is to perform Wudu (ablution), as the hadith suggests, seeking purification and coolness from the fire of anger.
How to Read
When anger begins to consume you, consciously change your physical posture. If you are standing, sit down immediately. If you are already seated, perhaps recline. This physical act is a deliberate intervention. Then, with intention, proceed to perform Wudu. Focus on the cooling sensation of the water as you wash your limbs, remembering the hadith's wisdom that water extinguishes fire. Whilst performing Wudu or after, you can also recite Quranic verses and duas that seek refuge in Allah from Shaytan and his whispers, such as seeking refuge in Allah's words from His creation's evil.
Virtues & Benefits
By adopting this method, we follow the guidance of the Prophet ﷺ to manage a destructive emotion. Anger can lead to regretful words and actions. Sitting down provides a moment of pause, preventing impulsive reactions. Performing Wudu brings about a sense of calm and spiritual cleanliness, symbolically extinguishing the 'fire' of anger with the 'water' of purification. It's a practical application of faith, turning a potentially harmful situation into an opportunity for spiritual discipline and closeness to Allah.
Source & Authentication
Sahih - The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 'If one of you becomes angry while he is standing, let him sit down, and if he sits down, let him lie down.' (Reported by Ahmad, and Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad. Its chain of narration is Hasan.)