Hadith that Changed my Mood

Over the last week or so I've felt conflicted over some things that have happened to me. Sometimes I get my feelings hurt, or become defensive about things that people say or do to me.

I get so defensive about Islam. I was so happy to become the moderator of the forum for reverts, but then felt so crushed when someone seemed to hate every idea I had. In another forum I was told I didn't know haram from halal, when I was only trying to give advice to help a sister. In both of these cases I got so upset and reacted badly towards these people.

While I was commiserating (and possibly ranting) to a brother that I consider to be like my true older brother, he told me about this hadith:

"I guarantee a house in Paradise for whoever leaves an argument, even if he was right, and a house in the middle of Paradise for whoever leaves lies, even if he was joking, and a house at the top of Paradise for whoever who has good manners." (Reported by Abu Dawood.)

At first I just ignored it and continued on my rant..., but after getting offline and thinking about it, I knew that he was right. I needed to just walk away from these things that upset me and focus on more important things.

Its amazing how Islam really does have the answers for everything that you encounter in your life. And if you look hard enough or listen to people you trust, you can always find those answers.

So, I want to thank Allah (swt) for giving me an adopted big brother that, once again, helped me see the light of Islam, and stay on the straight path.