Bashfulness of the Prophets and Pious Predecessors

In Jaami' Al-'Uloom wal-Hikam , Ibn Rajab said, "Know that there are
two types of bashfulness: that which isinnate and not acquired. It is
one of the most sublime morals that Allaah The Almighty grants to the
slave. Therefore, it was narrated that the Messenger of Allaah said:
"Bashfulness brings only what is good." It prevents one from
committing evil deeds or adopting bad morals. On the other hand, it
urges adopting noble and sublime morals. Given this, bashfulness is
one ofthe characteristics of faith."
It was narrated on the authority of 'Umar that he said, "A person who
is bashful does not disobey Allaah The Almighty, and a person who is
pious will be saved."
Al-Jarraah ibn 'Abdullaah Al-Hakami the warriorof the people of
Ash-Shaam, said, "I abandoned sins for forty years out of bashfulness
and then I achieved piety." Then he added, "It was narrated in a
Mursal Hadeeth by Al-Hasan that the Prophet said: "Bashfulness has two
forms: a type that is part of faith and a type that is impotence."
This could bethe words of Al-Hasan .
Bishr ibn Ka'b Al-'Adawi said to 'Imraan ibn Husayn , "We find in some
books that a form of bashfulness is due to showing tranquility and
veneration towards Allaah The Almighty and aform of it is due to
weakness." 'Imraan became angry and said, "Inarrate to you from the
Messenger of Allaah and you object it!"
It is as 'Imraan said, the praiseworthy bashfulness meant in the words
of the Prophet, , is that moral which urges doing what is goodand
abandoning what is evil. As for weakness and impotence which entail
neglecting the rights of Allaah The Almighty or Hisslaves, this is not
a part ofbashfulness. Rather, it is weakness, debility, impotence and
meanness.
Bashfulness of the Prophets
Bashfulness of Moosa :
It was narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of
Allaah, , said: "Moosa was bashful and used to cover his body
completely out of his bashfulness." [Al-Bukhaari]
Bashfulness of the Messenger of Allaah, :
It was narrated on the authority of Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri that he said,
"The Prophet was more bashful than a virgin in her private room. If he
saw a thing which he disliked, we would recognize that (feeling) in
his face." [Al-Bukhaari]
As for his bashfulness of his Lord, it was narrated on the authority
of Maalik ibn Sa'sa'ah that when prayer was obligated as fifty prayers
per day, the Prophet , kept going and coming between Moosa and his
Lord asking Him to reduce them until they finally became five. Moosa
further advisedhim to return to his Lord and ask Him to reduce the
prayers, but the Prophet, , responded: "I kept asking my Lord until I
became bashful. Rather, I will be satisfied and submit." [Al-Bukhaari]
It was narrated on the authority of 'Aa'ishah that she said, "A woman
asked the Prophet how to wash herself aftermenstruation. She mentioned
that he taught her how to take a bath and then told her totake a piece
of cotton with musk and purify herself. She said, "How should I purify
myself with that?" He (the Prophet ) said "Purify yourself with it,
Subhaan-Allaah (Glory be to Allah)!" and he coveredhis face with his
hand." 'Aa'ishah added , "I pulled her towards me for I understood
what the Prophet meant and, therefore, said, 'Follow (with the cotton)
the trace of the blood.'" [Muslim
Bashfulness of the Companions:
Bashfulness of Abu Bakr :
Once, As-Siddeeq addressed the Muslims and said, "O people! Show
Allaah His due reverence. Since I have given the Messenger of Allaah
the pledge of allegiance, by Allaah, I never went out to answer the
call of nature without having my head covered out of bashfulness of
Allaah The Almighty." ] Makaarim Al-Akhlaaq [
He also said, "A person who lacks bashfulness lacks piety; and if a
person lacks piety, his heart dies."
He also said, "A person who is bashful does not disobey (Allaah The
Almighty); a person who does not disobey is pious;and a person who is
pious will be saved."
Bashfulness of 'Uthmaan :
Talking about 'Uthmaan and his bashfulness, Al-Hasan Al-Basri said,
"He used to be alone at home with the door closed, and when he tookoff
his clothes to wash himself, his bashfulness prevented him from
standing up straight."
Bashfulness of Abu MoosaAl-Ash'ari :
It was narrated that he said: "I perform Ghusl (ritual bath) in the
house while the lights are out, nevertheless, I cannot stand upright
unless I puton my garment due to my bashfulness of my Lord." ] Az-Zuhd
by ImaamAhmad]
It was narrated on the authority of Qataadah that he said, "Abu Moosa
used to perform Ghusl in the house while the lights were out while
crouching and bending his back. He did not standupright until he put
on his clothes."
It was narrated on the authority of Anas that he said, "Abu Moosa
Al-Ash'ari used to wear his clothes when hewent to sleep out of fear
that his 'Awrah (private parts) would be exposed."
Bashfulness of Abu Muslim Al-Khawalaani :
Abu Muslim Al-Khawalaani said, "Itis from the favors of Allaah The
Almighty uponme that I have not done anything to make me bashful for
thirty years except for having sexual intercourse with my wife."
Bashfulness of Muhammad ibn Seereen :
Muhammad ibn Seereen said, "I have never had sexual intercourse with a
woman, neither while being awake or asleep (i.e.,in a dream) but with
Umm 'Abdullaah(i.e., his wife). If I saw a woman in a dream, I would
lower my gaze as soon as I knew that she isunlawful to me."
Therefore, one of the righteous predecessors, said, "I wish my reason
while I am awake was like that of Ibn Seereen during sleep."
Bashfulness of Abu 'Uqbah Al-Jarraah :
He was a brave hero, venerated, very tall, a noble worshipper and
reciter of the Quran. He said, "I abandoned sins for forty years out
of bashfulness and then I was granted piety." ] As-Siyar
Bashfulness of Al-Aswad ibn Yazeed :
When Al-Aswad ibn Yazeed was in the agonies of death, he wept. It was
said to him, "What is this impatience?" He replied, "Who is more
worthy to do so than I? By Allaah, if I will be given forgiveness from
Allaah The Almighty, I will be bashful of Him regarding my deeds. It
happens thata man does a little fault against another who pardons him,
nevertheless the first man is bashful of him."

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