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."
Good Manners and Form (Al-Adab)
Sahih al-Bukhari - Hadith 6114
Textual Analysis
The Prophet (ﷺ) defines true strength not as physical power over others, but as self-mastery during emotional agitation. The Arabic term "al-qawiyy" (the strong) is redefined from conventional understanding to spiritual excellence.
Scholarly Commentary
Imam al-Nawawi explains that this hadith elevates moral strength above physical strength. The true champion isn't he who defeats others in combat, but he who conquers his own nafs (lower self) when anger provokes him to wrongdoing.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani notes that controlling anger requires greater courage than physical confrontation, for it means resisting one's immediate impulses in favor of divine pleasure.
Practical Application
When anger arises, the believer should remember Allah's reward for restraint, seek refuge from Satan, change physical position (sit if standing, lie down if sitting), perform ablution, or remain silent rather than speak in anger.
This teaching transforms conflict resolution from domination to self-regulation, making peace possible even in provoking circumstances.