Abu Bakra told that he heard God’s Messenger say, “No judge must give judgment between two people when he is angry.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)
The Offices of Commander and Qadi - Mishkat al-Masabih 3731
A commentary from the perspective of Imam al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him): This hadith establishes a fundamental principle in Islamic judiciary. The prohibition against judging while angry stems from the reality that anger clouds the intellect, distorts perception, and may lead to injustice. The judge (qadi) must possess complete mental clarity and emotional equilibrium to discern truth from falsehood.
Scholarly Interpretation
The scholars have determined that this prohibition applies to any intense emotional state - whether anger, extreme hunger, severe grief, or overwhelming joy - that might impair judicial reasoning. The judge must postpone judgment until his natural disposition returns.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explains in Fath al-Bari that this ruling protects the rights of litigants and maintains the sanctity of judicial proceedings. The wisdom behind this prohibition is to ensure that judgments are based solely on evidence and legal principles, unaffected by personal emotions.
Practical Application
This teaching extends beyond formal judges to anyone in a position of arbitration, including community leaders, family mediators, and workplace supervisors. The principle emphasizes that fair judgment requires emotional stability and mental presence.
The hadith demonstrates the comprehensive nature of Islamic law, addressing not only outward actions but also inner states that affect social justice and communal harmony.