Throughout life, a person occasionally finds themselves in situations where certain hidden personality traits are revealed and recognized.
“Contentment,” “anger,” and “power” are among these situations, and an individual’s behavior in each of these three states reveals their inner character and the extent of their self-discipline.
A person who is content and pleased may, in their joy, be tempted into sin and falsehood; however, if they are self-disciplined, they recognize the boundaries between obedience and sin, truth and falsehood. Such a person neither sins nor gravitates toward falsehood.
Someone who is angry and upset may sometimes say ugly and unjust things and overstep the boundaries of others, later regretting their actions. However, self-disciplined individuals maintain control even in anger and refrain from speaking unjustly or making wrong decisions.
A person in a position of power may, at times, become intoxicated with their authority and infringe upon the rights of others. But if they are self-disciplined, they view power as a test and do not dishonor others or commit injustice.
A believer, because of their fear of God and the Day of Judgment, their piety, and their awareness of the consequences of wrongdoing, is neither drawn to sin in moments of contentment, nor does he speak unjustly in moments of anger, nor does he oppress others in moments of power.
Imam Muhammad Baqir (peace be upon him) mentioned the behavior of a faithful person when confronted with these situations in a narration, saying:
“A believer is someone who, when pleased, does not allow contentment and joy to lead them into sin or falsehood. When angry, their anger does not deviate them from speaking the truth. And when they gain power, their power does not lead them to transgress what is not rightfully theirs”pted from the book “Baqeri Wisdom:[1]
((Translation and Explanation of Forty Hadiths from Imam Baqir (peace be upon him),” authored by Hujjat al-Islam Jawad Muhaddithi)
Footnote: [1] Wasail al-Shia, Vol. 11, p. 149.