Ramadhan Tip: Learn to control your anger, emotions during this month -Mufti Menk

There are is a lot of teaching from the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) specifically advising against anger and all reflecting the Qur’anic description of the righteous as those who “hold in check their anger”

The advice is much needed because indeed, some of the worst actions committed by human beings ranging from killing to domestic abuse among others are, at least partly, a result of unbridled anger.

A Muslim scholar, Ismail ibn Musa Menk best known as Mufti Menk said the anger, road rage, temper, the abusive language, the yelling, the screaming during Ramadhani is true and real, adding that many people lose their cool in the holy month.

“There are a lot of wrong things that happen in Ramadhan, people do wrong things. Many people forget their duty unto Allah that while fasting, they are not supposed to be getting so angry and upset, and so on. Sometimes within us, we have such bad characteristics,” he said.

“When you want to get angry, just calm down. don't allow yourself to vent that frustration, don’t get angry. It is not the quality of a believer. calm down. Take things easy,” he added.

Menk who is also the grand Mufti of Zimbabwe's Muslim community said people make mistakes but not everyone who has done something wrong, has done it purposely or intentionally.

“At home, many people become very angry in Ramadhan, and especially in the afternoons, you are slightly hungry. The food is delayed a little bit more, maybe something might not taste the way it is supposed to, for example, and we can get angry. You are defeating the purpose of Ramadhan,” he stated.

Menk said Ramadhan is a month of discipline hence calling upon Muslims to work on their characteristics and bad habits.

“Because you will earn the benefit of the month of Ramadan. You are supposed to calm down,” he guided.

The Qur’an advises that when Satan stirs us up with anger, the best course of action is to seek refuge in Allah. You can do this by chanting God’s beautiful names or reciting Qur’an.

Prophet Muhammad advised that when we feel angry, we should perform ablution (wudu) with cold water. Again, the idea is to cool the body and soul from the heat of anger.