Year Sixteen
Issue No. 934 - 15/Jamadah-1/1432 AH
Corresponding to April 19, 2011 AD

Contents:
* Mihrab Platform:
Modesty and Shyness Regarding Religion

Mihrab Platform
Modesty and Shyness Regarding Religion

The main axes of the subject:
1- What is modesty?
2- Source of modesty
3- Modesty veils faith
4- Modesty generates goodness
5- The best modesty
6- Dispraised modesty
7- Of whom should one be ashamed?
8- Modesty tops all noble deeds

Purpose:

We will explain the status of modesty regarding humanity and religion as well as identify its treasures and sources. Of whom should one be ashamed? What is its rank when compared to other noble deeds?

Exporting the subject:

Imam al Sadiq (a.s.) was quoted as saying: "Modesty is a light the essence of which represents the forefront of faith and its explanation requires probing all things that are denied by monotheism and knowledge."¹

Modesty is a human quality, a part of the essence of creation. It differentiates man from animals. Modesty is a collateral formation of mind, religion and faith. It is also one of the laws of Islam.

a- What is Modesty?

Imam al Sadiq (a.s.) was quoted as saying: "Modesty is a light the essence of which is the forepart of faith and its explanation requires probing all things that are denied by monotheism and knowledge."²

The man who spends most of his time obtaining that which his loved one (the lord) wishes or hates and exerts efforts in a quest to obtain that which pleases or displeases him necessitates that he exhausts all his power in order to obey him and avoid his disobedience. In addition, he will not embark boldly on any matter unless he investigates it first and cognizes its outcome. With some efforts and continual work, man will be filled with knowledge about his loved one and his stature with respect to him. This is the light that shines within the heart of a believer, broadening his senses to all confusions and opening his eyes to all mysteries.

b- Source of modesty

Modesty requires foundations and source. He who persists in establishing it within himself will have the right to aspire the existence of modesty considering that it is a pure human manifestation. These foundations are topped by faith.

Allah's messenger (s.a.a.w.) was quoted as saying: "Modesty comes from faith."³ On the contrary, anyone with a weak modesty will indicate his weak faith.

The prophet (s.a.a.w.) was also quoted as saying: "A lack of modesty is a lack of faith."⁴

Because modesty comes from faith, all types of behavior that express faith and the kinds of the faithful character – all these issues if adopted by man – will indicate the existence of modesty depending on the size of commitment as it will indicate weakness depending on the size of denial of both behavior and character of faith. This is because modesty is part of the laws of Islam.

The prophet (s.a.a.w.) was also quoted as saying: "Modesty is a part of the laws of Islam."⁵

He (s.a.a.w.) was also quoted as saying: "Modesty comes from faith. He who lacks modesty has no goodness or faith in him."⁶

Imam al Baqir or al Sadiq (a.s.) was quoted as saying: "Modesty and faith are joined together, if one goes the other will follow."⁷

c- Modesty veils faith

Allah's messenger (s.a.a.w.) was quoted as saying: "Faith is naked, and its dress is modesty."⁸ Modesty seems to be that adhering material that installs faith within its holder. This is because nakedness subjects the body to all the elements that can be physically corrupt and destructive. On the other hand, the more suitable the dress is the more protective and defensive it will be against all harmful elements.

Commander of the faithful (a.s.) was quoted as saying: "The best dress for religion is modesty."⁹

He (a.s.) was also quoted as saying: "He who is dressed by modesty his flaws will be obscured from people."¹⁰

d- Modesty generates goodness

Allah's messenger (s.a.a.w.) was quoted as saying: "Modesty brings nothing but goodness."¹¹

Commander of the faithful (a.s.) was quoted as saying: "Modesty is the key to every benefaction."¹²

In fact, modesty is the reason for everything that is beautiful.

For example, commander of the faithful (a.s.) was quoted as saying: "Modesty is a way to every blessing."¹³

e- The best modesty

Imam Abu Abdullah al Sadiq (a.s.) was quoted narrating the words of his ancestors saying that Allah’s messenger (s.a.a.w.) had said: “May Allah be merciful to a servant who shows modesty towards his God. Modesty requires an abstentious head with its contents, an abstentious stomach with its storage, remembering the grave and afflictions, and remembering that there is a resurrection in the end.”¹⁴

Also Imam Moussa al Kazim (a.s.) was quoted as saying: “May Allah be merciful to a servant who shows true modesty towards his God hence, he abstains his head with its contents and stomach with its storage, remembers the grave and afflictions, and cognizes that the way to heaven is paved with hatefulness, and that the way to hell is paved with lusts.”¹⁵

f- Dispraised modesty

Because modesty is great and fideistic nobility by being the human manifestation and an expression of the modest man’s adherence to the satisfaction of the loved one (God), this is why being diffident in trying to obtain generosities, reach aims and execute duties is a hateful and unpleasant quality. Commander of the faithful (a.s.) was quoted as saying: “Anyone who acts with modesty towards saying the truth is fool.”¹⁶

Moreover, anyone who acts with modesty towards seeking knowledge and asking about the unknown will be deprived from knowledge and wisdom. Commander of the faithful (a.s.) was quoted as saying: “Modesty was joined with deprivation.”¹⁷

Anyone who acts with modesty towards seeking livelihood will be deprived from living. Commander of the faithful (a.s.) was quoted as saying: “Modesty hinders livelihood.”¹⁸

g- Towards whom should one be modest?

1- Modesty towards the writing angels:

Allah’s messenger (s.a.a.w.) was quoted as saying: “One must be modest towards his two accompanying angels equally like being modest towards two good people of his neighbors, knowing that they (the angels) are with him day and night.”¹⁹

This indicates the necessity of being modest towards the righteous, especially relatives or acquaintances. In fact, this issue is a necessity of man’s nature.

2- Modesty towards Allah (The Exalted):

Commander of the faithful (a.s.) was quoted as saying: “The best modesty is your shyness towards Allah.²⁰ He was also quoted as saying: “Modesty towards Allah will wipe numerous sins.”²¹

Allah’s messenger (s.a.a.w.) was quoted as saying: “Be modest towards your God like being modest towards your righteous neighbors because it will increase your certainty.”²²

f- Modesty tops all noble deeds:

Modesty is a noble quality that generates all kinds of noble deeds with it on top of them.

Imam al Sadiq (a.s.) was quoted as saying: “The qualities of the good deeds are tied to each other; Allah divides them as he wishes… They are topped by modesty.”²³ He (a.s.) was also quoted as saying: “Modesty on the other hand is branched into leniency, kindness, minding Allah in privacy and in public, soundness, avoiding evilness, cheerfulness and generosity, triumph, and good commendation of someone in public. This is exactly the modesty that struck the intelligent. Blessed is he who adopted the advice of Allah and feared his own scandal.”²⁴

^{1- Mesbah al Sharia, P. 510.
2- Mesbah al Sharia, P. 510
3- Rawdat al Wa’ezin, by al Fattal al Naisabouri, P. 460.
4- Majma'a al Zawayed, by al Haithami, Vol. 10, P. 480. Kanz al Ummal, by al Muttaqi al Hindi, Vol. 3, P. 121, H. 5770.
5- Kanz al Ummal, H. 5772.
6- Ershad al Qulub, by al Dailami, Vol. 2, P. 220.
7- Al Kafi, by Muhammad bin Yacoub al Kulaini, Vol. 2, P. 106. Tuhaf al Uqul, by Ibn Shu'bah al Harrani, P. 297.
8- Rawdat al Wa’ezin, P. 460.
9- Kanz al Ummal, H. 5763.
10- Ghorar al Hikam wa Dorar al Kalam, by al Qadi al A'midi, wisdom 2997.
11- Bihar al Anwar, by scholar al Majlisi, Vol. 72, P. 287, H. 1.
12- Ghorar al Hikam, wisdom 340.
13- Al Bihar, Vol. 77, P. 211, H. 1.
14- Mishkhat al Anwar fi Ghorar al Akhbar, by Abul Fadl al Tabarsi, P. 412, H. 1876.
15- Al Bihar, Vol. 78, P. 305, H. 1.
16- Ghorar al Hikam, wisdom 8658.
17- Ghorar al Hikam, wisdom 6714.
18- Ghorar al Hikam, wisdom 274.
19- Kanz al Ummal, H. 5751.
20- Ghorar al Hikam, wisdom 3112.
21- Ghorar al Hikam, wisdom 1548.
22- Al Bihar, Vol. 87, P. 200, H. 28.
23- A’mali al Sheikh al Tousi, P. 301, H. 597.
24- Tuhaf al Uqul, P. 17.}