What is Modesty
The word, modesty, in common use, signifies that a man should abstain from indecent acts. However, in the terminology of Quran and Hadith, it is used in a wider sense. modesty in Islam is a fundamental principle, In Islam, it stands for a feeling that is intolerant of everything that is not desirable or produces disgust in a person.
Faith and modesty are so closely related to each other that either both will be present in an individual or community or none of the two would be present.
Modesty encourages Muslims to conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful, humble, and considerate, promoting an environment of mutual respect and piety within the community.
The Modesty in Islam
Modesty plays a vital role in character building. It restrains a man from behaving in an undesirable manner. It also acts as a shield against immoralities. It holds the key to piety.
Modesty in Islam is rooted in the teachings of the Quran and the Hadith, where it is emphasized as a virtue that protects the dignity and honor of individuals. It encourages Muslims to conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful, humble, and considerate, promoting an environment of mutual respect and piety within the community.
It is stated by Zaid bin Talha that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“Every religion has a distinctive quality and the distinctive quality of Islam is modesty”
The Hadith shows that in every faith, some particular aspects of moral behavior receive importance, and an extraordinary emphasis is laid on modesty in Islam.
Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
الْحَيَاءُ شُعْبَةٌ مِنَ الإِيمَانِ [۵۰۰۹ :سنن النسائی
Modesty (Al Haya) is a Branch of Faith
It is related by Abdullah bin Umar that the Prophet of Allah said:
انَّ الْحَيَاءَ وَالإِيمَانَ قُرِنَا جَمِيعًا، فَإِذَا رُفِعَ أَحَدُهُمَا رُفِعَ الآخَرُ (المستدرک:58
Modesty and faith exist together and one of them goes out, and the other too goes out.
The Modesty in the Quran
The rule of Modesty is prescribed for both men and women that is, to lower their gaze and not stare at each other as the Quran says:
قُلْ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ يَغُضُّوْا مِنْ اَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوْا فُرُوْجَهُمْ [ سورۃ النور: 30 ]
“Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty”
وَقُلْ لِّلْمُؤْمِنٰتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ اَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوْجَهُنَّ [سورۃ النور: 31 ]
“And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty” (20”31)
Modesty is not to be observed only about human beings. The Almighty Creator comes first. No one can be more unfortunate than the person who, knowing that Allah sees and hears all that he does and speaks, feels no shame in saying dirty and deplorable things in His presence.
If the sense of modesty is alive and active in a person, his life not only be clean in the sight of his fellow beings but also the eyes of Allah.
The primary requirement of modesty is that a person should feel disgusted at everything that is displeasing to Allah. Therefore, he should abstain from it.
