From Imam Ghazali’s book “Ihyaa Uloom ad Deen”
(The revival of religious teachings)
Know, O dear readers, that the medecine of a disease is to remove the root cause of that disease. Isa (Jesus Christ) -peace be upon him- was once
asked: “What thing is difficult?” He said: “God’s wrath.” Prophet Yahya(John the Baptist) -peace be upon him- then asked: “What thing takes near
the wrath of God?” He said:”Anger”. Yahya – peace be upon him- asked him: “What thing grows and increases anger?” Isa -peace be upon him-
said: “Pride, prestige, hope for honour and haughtiness”
The causes which cause anger to grow are self-conceit, self-praise, jests and ridicule, argument, treachery, too much greed for too much wealth and
name and fame. If these evils are united in a person, his conduct becomes bad and he cannot escape anger.
So these things should be removed by their opposites. Self-praise is to be removed by modesty. Pride is to be removed by one’s own origin and birth,
greed is to be removed by remaining satisfied with necessary things, and miserliness by charity.
