Anger is a state that is considered as one of the worst thing that can happen to a man. Although anger is usually ignites a man's mind when being threatened unjustly, revoked or mislead, the resultant outburst which ranges from low to high intensity mindset can leave severe consequences if a decision is taken in that high emotional state.
In fact, taking a decision in anger or acting impulsively while in this emotional state—often leads to "blindness" where rational thinking is suppressed, resulting in poor judgment and behaviors that are frequently regretted. That is why studies after studies are being under taken on the subject of anger management to allow controlling one's emotional state that blinds a man's rational thinking.
The state is not only restricted to common man but also many a prophet who took irrational decisions affected - but later regretted and repented sincerely. The decision made in anger ad by Prophet Jonah (Yunus AS) is a case in point, already mentioned in one of our earlier posts: Prophet Younis (Jonah) and Allah's Displeasure.
Today we share yet another example of taking an oath in anger due to misfed information related to Prophet Prophet Ayyūb (Job, عليه السلام) as mentioned in the 44th verse of Surah Ṣād, in which mercy of Allah is mentioned when the prophet repented and Allah showed him a way out of fulfilling his oath.
The Verse
(٤٤) وَخُذْ بِيَدِكَ ضِغْثًا فَاضْرِبْ بِهِ وَلَا تَحْنَثْ إِنَّا وَجَدْنَاهُ صَابِرًا نِعْمَ الْعَبْدُ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ
“And take in your hand a bundle (of grass) and strike with it, and do not break your oath. Indeed, We found him patient. What an excellent servant! Indeed, he was constantly turning (to Allah).”
Quick Context Recap
This verse is about Prophet Ayyūb (Job, عليه السلام). In his old age, he faced severe illness, loss of wealth and family - yet he remained patient and faithful. During his illness, his wife took very good care of him. However due to a misfed satanic whisper, he during the hardship and extreme illness, made an oath to beat his with with 100 hundred lashes, which he later regretted and strongly repented and sought divine mercy. His repentance was accepted and after his recovery, Allah guided him to fulfill it in a gentle and symbolic way.
Core Lessons from the Verse
- Patience under extreme hardship
- Despite his ailment, Prophet Ayyūb (AS) didn’t just endure his ailment but He remained faithful without اعتراض (complaint against Allah) as mentioned the verse: “We found him patient”
- This means that True strength comes from steadiness in hardship.
- Allah provides merciful solutions
- Rather than forcing harm on his prophet, Allah accepted his repentance and gave an alternative.
- This shows that Islam is not rigid - It balances Law with Mercy.
- Intentions matter
- Oath of Prophet Ayyūb came from a moment of difficulty and being mislead and acted in anger - therefore Allah considered his sincerity to his wife whom the prophet loved dearly and was not willing to materialize his oath.
- This shows that Allah looks a hidden intentions, not just actions.
- The quality of being “Awwāb”
- Not only ordinary humans, even prophets turn back repeatedly: "What an excellent servant! Indeed, he was constantly turning (to Allah).”
- In this part of the verse, there is a lesson for us: Perfection is not required - Returning is.
Why This Verse is Important Today
- We live in a low-patience world Today we expect Instant results and Instant relief - whereas this verse teaches patience through long, difficult trials.
- Emotional reactions and regret
- We more often than not, make harsh promises and emotional decisions - and obviously then regret them.
- The lesson is Don’t act in anger - And if you do—seek wise, gentle solutions.
- Rigid vs compassionate thinking Some today apply rules harshly - that is why this verse teaches to look for Mercy within law.
- Dealing with guilt and mistakes Many people feel stuck after mistakes - but this verse shows tells us that Allah opens doors of ease and redemption if sincerely turn to Him.
- Maintaining faith during hardship
- Many of us go through Illness, financial struggle and personal losses. This verse presents us the role model of Prophet Ayyūb (AS).
- And that is never to lose faith in Allah and always try to keep connected to him.
A Balanced Principle from This Verse
Islam is not about Harsh legalism or Careless leniency. It is Principled and Compassionate. This verse shows something profound - Allah is not looking to trap you in your words, rather He is guiding us to Integrity with mercy
Final Reflection
Ask yourself: When I make a mistake or a harsh decision—do I double down, or do I seek a wiser, gentler path?
The Core Message
The above quoted verse shows us that the best believer is not one who never errs - rather it is he who is patient, returns to Allah, and and chooses mercy over harm.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah 38 Ṣād - the letter ص already published. You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
For verses on Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an.
An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.
In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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