Chapter 37

MODESTY

ModestyisanoblequalitythattheIslamiceducationcaresforseeding
itin thementalhorizons.Iteradicatesarroganceanddestroysitsaffec-
tion.ItelevatesmaninthisworldandapproachestoGod.Uninterrupted
reportshaveassuredthattheProphet(s)hadsaid,“Hewhoeverbehaves
modestlytoGod,willsurelyberaised.”Heonceaskedhiscompanions,
“Why doI not notice the beauty of worship?” “Whatis the beauty of
worship?” they wondered. “It is modesty,” asserted the Prophet.
Healsosaid,“TherearefourmattersthatGodwillnotgranttoother
thanthoseHelikes.Theyaresilence,whichistheheadmostofworship,
and reliance upon God, and modesty, and abstinence in this world.”
TheImamsappliedthefullmeaningofmodestywhentheydelivered
fascinatinglessons.Historiansrelatethat onceamanandhissonwere
theguestsofImamAli,whowelcomedthemandservedaplateoffood.
Astheyfinishedtheirfood,theImamhurriedtofetchapitcherofwater
topouritontheguest’shand.Themanabstained.“Sitdownandletme
helpinwashingyourhands,”saidtheImam,“TheExaltedLordseesyou
when your brother, who does not outclass you, serve you especially
whenheaimsatgainingtheParadise.”Themankeptonabstainingbut
theImamabjuredhimbyhisright;hence,themanhadtoaccept.Ashe
finished, the Imam handled the pitcher to Mohammed, his son, and
ordered of pouring water on the son’shands. He explained, “Iwould
pourwater onthisson’shandsifhe wasnot accompanyinghisfather.
God,theElevated,rejectstoequatebetweenfathersandsonswhenthey
are in the same situation.” Mohammed carried out his father’s order.
ThisistheveryspiritduetowhichtheIslamiceducationhasbeenpre-
valent and exalted in the instructions and moralities.
Imam as-Sadiq (a) discussed the quality of modesty. He said,
“Modestyistheoriginofeverychoicehonorandeminentrank.Ifitwere
atongueperceivedbypeople,itwouldspeakoutthefactsofthehidden