How To Control Your Emotions

In a Hadith, the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Verily, I have been prohibited from emitting two foolish and wicked sounds, one that is emitted when something favourable happens and the other that is expressed when calamity strikes."

The Prophet (PBUH) also said: "Love the one who is beloved to you in due moderation, fo perhaps the day will come when you will abhor him. And hate the one whom you detest in due moderation, for perhaps the day will arrive when you will come to love him."

In another hadith, the Prophet (PBUH) said: "And I ask You (Oh, Allah SWT) to make me just, both while being in a state of anger and while being in a state of joy."

In a state of anger, you tend to be irrational, saying things that you would very much regret later on. You vent your anger on people who were not even involved in the cause of your problem. You slam the door on your way into the house, you ignore your mother's greetings, you stomp up the stairs, you kick your cat out of your bedroom and you throw your things against the wall.

Just because you were hurt, it does not make it right for you to hurt others or take it out on your mom, assuming she would understand. Upsetting your mom would not solve your problem and would not make you any happier. It would cause the relationship between you and your mom to become strained.

Now imagine if you were able to control your emotions. You would have come home, and saw your mother. She would have seen that you were upset and gently ask you what the matter was. You would have discussed the situation with her and she would have given you fantastic motherly advice. Afterward, she would feed you a nice hot lunch and send you up to bed to cuddle with your cat. You would feel so much better and it won't take Einstein to come up with an equation to prove that.

Even in happiness, you must control your emotions. Excessive displays of joy might cause others to get envious of your success, perhaps they might create fitnah just to put a downer on your mood. You must not forget to thank Allah (SWT) for your success. Your unbridled happiness may lead you to get complacent, perhaps not studying as hard for the next examination as you were partying too hard because the previous examination was as easy as ABC.

Aim for a happy medium. Always remember Allah (SWT) in happiness and in sadness. InshaAllah, you will be able to control your emotions.

Adapted from: Don't be sad by 'Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni