Character
How to Control Anger in Islam: Quran and Hadith Guidance
“The strong one is he who controls himself when angry.” Authentic hadith and Quran verses about anger, plus the Prophetic steps to calm down.
Reviewed by the Nouf Quran Academy teaching team · Updated
Anger is a natural emotion, but what we say and do while angry can damage marriages, friendships and our relationship with Allah. The Quran and Sunnah redefine strength: real strength is self-control.
The strong one controls himself
Narrated Abu Huraira:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger
“Do not become angry”
Narrated Abu Huraira:A man said to the Prophet (ﷺ) , "Advise me! "The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Do not become angry and furious." The man asked (the same) again and again, and the Prophet (ﷺ) said in each case, "Do not become angry and furious
A man asked the Prophet ﷺ for advice and received three words, repeated each time he asked. Short advice, but it covers a huge share of the harm people do to each other.
Seek refuge in Allah
Narrated Sulaiman bin Sarad:Two men abused each other in front of the Prophet (ﷺ) while we were sitting with him. One of the two abused his companion furiously and his face became red. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "I know a word (sentence) the saying of which will cause him to relax if this man says it. Only if he said, "I seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the outcast.' " So they said to that (furious) man, 'Don't you hear what the Prophet (ﷺ) is saying?" He said, "I am not mad
Those who restrain anger are loved by Allah
ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ فِي ٱلسَّرَّآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ وَٱلۡكَٰظِمِينَ ٱلۡغَيۡظَ وَٱلۡعَافِينَ عَنِ ٱلنَّاسِۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ
“Who spend [in the cause of Allah] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people - and Allah loves the doers of good”
وَٱلَّذِينَ يَجۡتَنِبُونَ كَبَـٰٓئِرَ ٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَٱلۡفَوَٰحِشَ وَإِذَا مَا غَضِبُواْ هُمۡ يَغۡفِرُونَ
“And those who avoid the major sins and immoralities, and when they are angry, they forgive”
Practical steps when you feel angry
- Say “A‘udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6115).
- Stay silent — you cannot regret words you did not say.
- Change your position or leave the room until you have calmed down.
- Make wudu and pray two rak‘ahs if you can.
- Later, respond to what upset you with “that which is better” (41:34).
Frequently asked questions
What did the Prophet ﷺ say about anger?
He said, “The strong is not the one who overcomes people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6114), and advised a man, “Do not become angry” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6116).
What should I say when I am angry?
Seek refuge in Allah from Shaytan by saying “A‘udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim”, as the Prophet ﷺ taught (Sahih al-Bukhari 6115).