❖ The Role of Shayṭān in Human Conflicts and the Importance of Controlling Anger ❖
Authored by: Dr. Raza Abdullah Pasha (Hafizahullah)
❀ Question:
Are conflicts among humans caused by the influence of Shayṭān?
✔ Answer:
Yes. It is narrated from Sayyidunā Anas رضي الله عنه that the Noble Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم once passed by a group of people engaged in wrestling. He asked,
“What is this?”
They replied, “This man here defeats everyone he wrestles with.”
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
أفلا أدلكم على من هو أشد منه؟ رجل كلمه رجل فكظم غيظه، فغلبه وغلب شيطانه، وغلب شيطان صاحبه
“Shall I not inform you of someone who is even stronger than him? It is the man who, when another insults him, suppresses his anger. Such a person overcomes not only his opponent, but also defeats his own Shayṭān and the Shayṭān of his opponent.”
[Fatḥ al-Bārī 10/519]
✿ Key Lessons from the Ḥadīth:
① Shayṭān plays an active role in fueling disputes, especially when tempers flare.
② True strength is not measured by physical dominance, but by one’s ability to control anger.
③ The one who remains calm under provocation is described by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم as:
✔ Overcoming the oppressor
✔ Defeating his own Shayṭān
✔ Defeating the Shayṭān of the aggressor
④ Thus, self-restraint in anger is not only a moral victory, but a spiritual conquest over demonic influences.
