A Psychological Examination of Anger Control in Imām Riḍā‘s Traditions

In line with the advancement of science and technology and the achievement of facilities that bring about welfare, the studies done in psychology have also have furthered the boundaries of knowledge in this domain. Psychologists emphasize that for a better life, people should be taught “the life skills.” This international skill has its roots in Islam, with the only difference being in the new wording used in psychology. One of these skills is emotion (anger) control. Due to the universality of anger and the public inability to control it, the article explains this issue from three viewpoints, namely Imām Riḍā‘s traditions, ethics, and psychology and finds out that anger control is rooted in the words of our Imāms. After discussing the nature of anger and its physical-behavioral signs as well as its advantages and disadvantages, the article gives in practical solutions for anger control from the foregoing three viewpoints. Finally, it concludes that the eighth Imām of the Shī‘a, who paid attention to knowing and controlling anger centuries before psychologists, is not only superior to them due to his pioneering position in this regard, but also gives in an important solution, that is, connection to spiritual and metaphysical forces. This way, he surpasses others in this regard.