When emotions flare up:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

When one lacks proper knowledge, emotions kick in; and when one gets high with emotions, accepting the truth becomes difficult. (A trend which became a common sight during the "PEACEFUL" protests and the BLOODY springs).

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said in Khutbatul Haajah:

وَنَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ شُرُورِ أَنْفُسِنَا وَسَيِّئَاتِ أَعْمَالِنَا

“We seek refuge in Allaah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds” [reported in all the 4 Sunan and it is “Saheeh”]

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله commented:

وَنَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ شُرُورِ أَنْفُسِنَا

“We seek refuge in Allaah from the evil of our own souls”

العوذ means seeking Allaah’s refuge/shelter; i.e. seeking Allaah’s refuge from the evil of our own souls.

Question: Are our souls evil?

Answer: Yes.

﴿وَمَا أُبَرِّئُ نَفْسِي ۚ إِنَّ النَّفْسَ لَأَمَّارَةٌ بِالسُّوءِ إِلَّا مَا رَحِمَ رَبِّي﴾

{And I do not acquit myself. Indeed, the soul is a persistent enjoiner of evil, except those upon which my Lord has mercy.} [Surah Yusuf (12): 53]

The issues regarding the evil soul revolves around two things: 1) either pushing (the person) towards doing sins or 2) discouraging him from doing good deeds.

The things which restrains these two conditions are: 1) having complete Imaan in Allaah عز وجل (and the other articles of Faith) and 2) having complete knowledge (and understanding). This is because the emotions upon which the soul is carried, is controlled by these two things: complete faith in Allaah غز وجل and knowledge, which will make the person to take into consideration of the (evil) consequences arising thereof, so that he leaves off sinning and he stops (his habit of) abandoning good deeds.

And his صلى الله عليه وسلم saying:

وَسَيِّئَاتِ أَعْمَالِنَا

“and from our bad deeds”

Similarly, evil deeds have there effects on the heart, the tongue and the limbs; they have their effects on individuals as well as on groups so much so that some of the people said: “I see the effects of my evil deeds in my wife and family.”*

* [Translator’s Note: Al-Fudhail bin `Ayaadh رحمه الله said: I know that I have disobeyed Allaah when I see the changes in the manners of my donkey, my servant, my wife and (the atmosphere) in my home.

[Al-Bidaayah wa al-Nihaayah (10/215)]]

It affects one’s sustenance as well. Allaah تعالى says:

﴿وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّـهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا * وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ﴾

{And whoever fears Allaah - He will make for him a way out. And will provide for him from where he does not expect.} [Surah al-Talaaq (65): 3]

Verily, the sins do affect sustenance and they obstruct the many doors leading towards sustenance and it also makes a person poor at heart (i.e. having bad manners, stingy etc.).

[Sharh al-Usool min `Ilm al-Usool of Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله (1/16-17)]