Self Control or Bravery

Hadees: SELF-CONTROL AT THE TIME OF ANGER:

# Abu Huraira radiallahu taala anh reported: I heard Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: One is not strong because of one’s wrestling skillfully. They said: Allah’s Messenger, then who is strong? He said: He who controls his anger when he is in a fit of rage.

(SAHIH HADITH MUSLIMChapter# 28, Book 32, Number 6311)

# Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) asked sahaba radiallahu taala anh Whom do you count as a Real man or Brave man (wrestler) amongst you? sahaba radiallahu taala anh said: He who wrestles with persons. He Sallahu alaihi vasallam  said: No, it is not he but one who controls himself when in a fit of rage (anger) 
(SAHIH HADITH MUSLIMBook 32, Number 6314)

During a battle in the way of Allah, sayyedina Ali radiallahu taala anh, found himself face to face with a kafir who attacked him violently. They were both brave and powerful men, but the kafir was no match for sayyedina Ali radiallahu taala anh, who was soon sitting astride his chest, ready to finish him off. "I invite you to bear witness that there is no god except Allah, and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah,"said Ali radiallahu taala anh. 

"Accept Islam (peace, dharma, rightousness, truth), and your life will be spared." "Never!"panted the kafir. Sayyedina Ali radiallahu taala anh lifted his sword and was just about to plunge it into his enemy, when the kafir spat defiantly in his face. Much to the kafir's suprise, sayyedina Ali radiallahu taala anh immeditely jumped away from his enemy and lowered his sword.

"Go away!" said sayyedina Ali radiallahu taala anh, "I cannot kill you now." "Why did you do that?" asked the kafir. "You could have killed me easily." "I was fighting you purely in the way of Allah," replied Ali radiallahu taala anh, "But when you spat in my face, your insult made me angry and if I had killed you in anger, it would have taken me to the Fire - so I had no choice to let you go. To kill someone in anger or out of desire for revenge is not bravery, but the act of a coward."

On hearing this, the kafir was so impressed by sayyedina Ali radiallahu taala anh's sincerity and self-control that he embraced Islam on the spot: "I bear witness that there is no god except Allah." he said, "and I bear witness that Mohammad is the Messenger of Allah."


Reference: From masnavi shareef of Moulana Jalaluddin rumi (rh)