Sahih al-Bukhari 6114
Sahih
Sahih al-Bukhari — Hadith 6114
Narrated by Abu Hurairah
لَيْسَ الشَّدِيدُ بِالصُّرَعَةِ إِنَّمَا الشَّدِيدُ الَّذِي يَمْلِكُ نَفْسَهُ عِنْدَ الْغَضَبِ
Translation
The Prophet said: 'The strong person is not the one who can wrestle others down. The strong person is the one who controls himself when angry.'
Commentary
This hadith redefines strength from a physical attribute to a moral one. Self-restraint, particularly in moments of anger, is presented as true power. This teaching counters the violence and impulsiveness that Islam consistently opposes, replacing it with an ethic of self-mastery.