Ḥilm (innate gentleness) is a character trait more virtuous than kazm al-ghayẓ (overcoming anger). This is because overcoming anger consists of exerting gayret (effort) towards gentleness. Only those who are excessively angry have a need to strive to overcome their anger. Angry people exert great effort to overcome their anger. However, once this becomes habitual, it becomes second nature and they cease to become angry. Even if they occasionally become angry, they can easily overcome it. Kazm al-ghayẓ (overcoming anger) is a natural form of ḥilm. At the same time, it is also evidence of the intellect's kamāl (attainment of perfection) and of the breaking of the power of wrath so that it submits to the intellect. However, the beginning of this is to strive for gentleness and, even if with difficulty, to try to overcome anger. (Iḥyāʾ, III, 218)
If sabr (patient endurance) is in the matter of overcoming one's rage, this is called ḥilm (gentleness), waqār (dignity),
and taʾannī (deliberation); its opposite is called tazammur (aggressiveness)... (Iḥyāʾ, IV, 82; Qudāma, 285)
Ḥilm is a ḥāl (spiritual state) that keeps the nafs (the lower self) dignified between extreme anger and separation. (Mīzān, 73)
Ḥilm is to be gentle in one's words, actions, and towards those under one's authority. (Jāmiʿ, 54)
Ḥilm is of three kinds: The ḥilm of the common people is to forgive the wrongdoer while concealing anger inwardly. The ḥilm of the elect is to forgive the wrongdoer while concealing goodness inwardly. The ḥilm of the elect of the elect is to forgive the wrongdoer by actually doing good to them. (Jāmiʿ, 61)