Importance of modesty

Dear Islamic brothers, modesty holds great significance in Islam. Highlighting its importance, the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, who preached modesty, has stated: اَلْاِيمَانُ بِضْعٌ وَّسَبْعُونَ شُعْبَةً،وَالْحَيَاءُ شُعْبَةٌ مِنَ الْاِيمَانِ i.e., Iman [faith] has more than seventy branches, and modesty is one of the branches of iman.^[1]

Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan Na’eemi رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه writes:

True modesty does not lie in only outwardly performing virtuous deeds and acknowledging modesty verbally; rather, modesty entails safeguarding the outer and inner body parts from sins. Therefore, one should refrain from bowing his head in prostration to anyone else except Allah Almighty; one should purify his mind from ostentation [showing-off] and arrogance; one should safeguard his tongue, eyes and ears from uttering, looking at and listening to impermissible things. This is considered protection of the head.

One should protect his stomach from haram food, his private parts from fornication, and his heart from evil desires. This is classed as protection of the stomach. The truth of the matter is that these blessings can be attained by the bestowal of Allah Almighty and the generous gaze of the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم.^[2]

What is modesty?

Remember, modesty is a noble quality that stops a person from evil deeds. The beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has stated: اِذَا لَمْ تَسْتَحْیِ فَاصْنَعْ مَا شِئْتَ i.e., If you do not possess modesty, then do as you like.^[3]

The renowned spiritual guide and leader of Ahl al-Sunnah, Mawlānā Ilyās ꜤAṭṭār al-Qādirī دَامَـتْ بَـرَكَـاتُـهُـمُ الْـعَـالِـيَـهْ states, “This saying is to admonish and instil fear that ‘do as you like’, but you will reap what you sow. If you do bad (perform an immodest action), then you will face its punishment.”

A righteous person advised his son, the summary of which is as follows, “Whilst committing sin, when you feel no shame from anyone on the earth or in the sky, then consider yourself to be amongst the animals.”

‘Allamah ‘Ali Qaari رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه states regarding modesty:

وَھُوَ خُلُقٌ یَّمْنَعُ الشَّخْصَ مِنَ الْفِعْلِ الْقَبِیْحِ بِسَبَبِ الْاِیْمَانِ i.e., “Modesty is a trait that prevents a person from committing evil deeds due to iman [faith].”^[4] 

Rulings of modesty

The commentator of Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhāri, ‘Allamah Maulana Mufti Muhammad Shareef al-Haq Amjadi رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه has stated:

At times, observing modesty is fard and wajib; such as observing modesty from a haram and impermissible action. At times, it is mustahab [preferable]; such as observing modesty in abstaining from an act that is makruh tanzeehi. And at times, it