Messenger of Allaah said: "One of the admonitions of the previous
prophets which has been conveyed to people is that if you haveno
shame, you can do whatever you wish." [Al-Bukhaari]
Explanation of the Hadeeth:
The saying of the Messenger : "…If you feel no shame, you can do
whatever you wish" is in the command form, and can be looked at from
two angles, each conveying a distinct meaning:
(1) The first is that it is a form of threat and a challenge thrown
down against those who engage in inappropriate behaviour. Such people
have no shame in front of Allaah and therefore, no matter what course
they take, it would not make any real difference.In this case, it
would be as if the Hadeeth is stating: "If you do not feel any shame
from doing these prohibited acts, then do whatever you wish…" Modesty
is the quality that prevents one from immodest behaviour, and the lack
of it will only cause one to increase in distancing himself from
Allaah and make him indifferent to creed or deed.
(2) The second meaning pertains to doing that which is lawful. That
is, if the action that one is about to do is not within the category
of the unlawful, and we are notashamed of doing the actin front of
Allaah or the people, then we are free to do it. However, if we are
ashamed to do it, then we should not. The Hadeeth gives a measuring
stick by whichwe can evaluate actions, both privately and publicly.
Thus, the first explanation relates to a lack of consciousness
regarding Allaah and the second is regarding the opposite, which is to
be conscious of Allaah and of His watching over a person and his
actions.
The former explanation relates to an unbridled Nafs (base desires and
lower self), whereas the latter implies observance of due constraint
over it, so that it does not embark on the road to destruction.
Modesty is of two types:
Modesty is either natural or acquired. Natural modesty means that the
individual has this qualityby nature and does not need to exert any
effort to acquire it. Acquired modesty, on the other hand, is attained
by those who possess knowledge concerning Allaah, being cognisant
concerning His Greatness,Proximity and His Inspection of all that
theydo.
Points Related to Modesty:
1. Modesty is one of the most honourable attributes and is a
consistent virtue found inall the various laws sent down to each
prophet and messenger.
2. It is one of the most perfect and desirable characteristics to
possess and an excellent state to be in.
3. Modesty only brings good to individuals and is an indication of faith.
4. Bashfulness and shameis in direct opposition to indecency and shamelessness.
5. Modesty is an element of faith, and indecency has no relation to it.
6. Modesty adorns one's nature and personality and is indicative of
his being Islamically culturedand refined.
7. Indecency, on the other hand, shows that one lacks virtues and is
uncouth, dishonourable and uncultured.
8. We are obligated to guard ourselves against indecency and from
acting indecently or uncultured, as qualified by Islam.
9. We must never misconstrue bashfulness or shyness with cowardice -
Islamically they are far from synonymous.
10. Modesty, as mentioned, is a root virtue. One of the fruits of
modesty is chastity.
11. There is no modesty when it comes to teaching the laws of Islam or
searching for thetruth.
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