Source: From the book My advice to the women by Umm Abdillah al-Waadiiyyah

Transcribed by Umm Soraiya Halima Al Italiyyah

Shyness is from (the Characteristics of) Faith

Abdullah ibn Yoosuf told us Maalik ibn Anas informed us upon the authority of Ibn Shihaab from Saalim from his father that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam passed by a man from the Ansaar while he was admonishing his brother concerning shyness. Then the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said:

Leave him for indeed shyness is part of faith (Saheeh al-Bukhari 24/1)

Ahmad ibn Yoonus told us that Zuhayr told us that Mansoor told us upon the authority of Ribiyyi ibn Hiraash that Aboo Masood told us the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: : Indeed from what has reached he people from speech of earlier Prophets is, If you do as not feel shy then do as you wish (Saheeh al_Bukhari 523/10) Ibn Rajab said concerning his statement, Indeed, from what has reached the people from speech of earlier Prophets, said, His statement indicates that this was passed down from earlier Prophets and that people used to advice one another with it such that generation after generation used to inherit it. This indicates that earlier prophets came with this speech and that it became well known amongst the people until it appeared in the beginning of this nation. (End of cited passage) (Jaamial Uloom)

Know that shyness is of two types: One of them is what consists of character and disposition, and cannot be acquired. This is because it (shyness) is the behaviour that Allah has granted the servant and facilitated for

Shyness is from (the Characteristics of) Faith

him. For this reason, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said Shyness brings about nothing but good. For indeed, it (shyness) inhibits a person from committing despicable actions and displaying degrading behaviour while encouraging noble character and excellence. It is from the distinguishing characteristics of faith in this respect. The second type (of shyness) is what is attainable through knowing Allah and knowing His greatness as well as His closeness to His servants, His overseeing them, and His knowledge of what deceives the eyes while being hidden in the chests. This is from the highest characteristics of faith; rather it is from the highest levels of Ihsan. Certainly, shyness from Allah may be caused by witnessing and reflecting over His blessings and the shortcomings associated with being thankful for them. Therefore, if the servant removes this acquired and instinctive shyness, there does not remain that which will prevent him from committing despicable actions and displaying degrading behaviour so it is as though this person does not possess faith. The praiseworthy shyness mentioned in the speech of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam is the behaviour that encourages the performing of commendable actions while abandoning the wretched. As for the weakness and deficiency that brings about negligence in some of the rights of Allah, or in the rights of His servants, then this is not from shyness. Certainly this is weakness, feebleness, deficiency, and lowliness, and Allah knows best. (Ibn Rajab said in Jaami Al-Uloom 199) Concerning his statement, If you do not feel shy then do as you wish, Ibn Rajab said: Concerning its meaning there are two statements: One of them is that its meaning does not convey a command to do whatever one wishes, but rather it conveys a meaning of blame and the prohibition concerning it. The people of this position have two ways (of interpreting the command in this narration). One of them is that the meaning of the command conveys a threat and a warning. So the meaning is: if there is no shyness then do whatever you wish and Allah will then reward you accordingly. As in His statement:

Shyness is from (the Characteristics of) Faith

Do whatever you wish; indeed He is All-Seeing of whatever you do (Soorah Fusilat 41:40)
His statement:

Worship whatever you wish besides Him (Soorah az-Zumar 39:15)
The second way (of interpreting the command in this narration) is that the command is a way of conveying information (khabr). Thus, the meaning is: certainly the one who is not shy does whatever he wills. Then the thing that prohibits a person from committing wretched actions is shyness. Therefore, whoever does not possess shyness will indulge in every abomination and prohibited actions. The second statement concerning the meaning of, If you do not feel shy then do as you wish is that it is a command to do whatever a person wills, just as the command apparently suggests. The meaning then is if the thing that you intend to perform is from the things that a person is not shy to either perform before Allah or before the people; because it is from the actions of obedience or from virtuous character and commendable behaviour, then in this situation do whatever you wish from these actions. This is the statement of a group from amongst the Imaams. From them are, Ishaaq al-Marwazee ashShafiee and something similar to this has been attributed to Imam Ahmad The definition of shyness: An-Nawawee said, The Scholars said that the reality of shyness is the character which encourages the abandonment of despicable actions and prevents against negligence concerning the rights of the people who possess rights over others. And we have narrated from Aboo al-Qaasim al-Junayd which he said, Shyness is the recognizing Allahs favours, meaning His blessings and the recognizing of ones own negligence in light of them both is prompted by a condition called shyness. So shyness is an attribute from noble character that is a beautification for people. Whenever shyness is lost, every type of violated, abominations are perpetrated, the elderly

Shyness is from (the Characteristics of) Faith

are not honoured, men freely intermingle with women, the woman leaves her home uncovered and travels unaccompanied by a lawful relative, and the truth is heard and rejected. (Ryaadh as-Saaliheen -318 with the checking of Al-Arnaaoot) Al-Fudhayl ibn Iyyaadh said, There are five signs of wretchedness: The harshness in the hearts, his unflinching eye, the lack of shyness, the seeking of worldly pleasure, and longevity in life. (The reference of the speech of Fudhayl is Madaarij as-Saalikeen)

) )
And when he arrived at the water of Madyan, he found there a group of people watering (their flocks), and he found besides them two women who were keeping back (their flocks). He said, What is the matter? They said, We do not water (our flocks) until the shepherds take (their flocks) and our father is a very old man. So he watered (their flocks) for them, then he returned to the shade, and said My Lord! Truly, I am in need of whatever good that you bestow on me! Then one of the two women came to him walking with shyness. She said, Verily, my father invites you such that he may reward you for having watered (our flocks) for us. So when he came to him and narrated the story, he said, Fear not. You have escaped from the wrong doing people. (Soorah al-Qasas 28:23-25)
So for us there is an example in the patient of the woman Asmaa bint Aboo Bakr when she said, I used to carry the date stones from the land of Az-Zubayr which the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam had given him. It was a distance of two thirds of a Farsakh. (Translators notes: A Farsakh is an old measurement used to measure length that is approximately the equivalent of three miles). The I came one day with the date stones on my head and I met the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam while he was with one of his companions. So he called me and then said, Ikh, Ikh, (Ibn Hajar mentions in his explanation of this nation that Ikh is, a word said to the camel by a person who desires for it to it to remain motionless) in order for me to ride behind him. But I was shy to travel with the men. I mentioned Az-Zubayr and his jealousy

Shyness is from (the Characteristics of) Faith

- and he was from the most jealous of the people then the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam knew that I was too shy and so he left (Madaarij As-Salikeen) Ibn al_Qayyim said In accordance with the life of the heart, there exists a strong characteristic of shyness and the lack of shyness indicates the death of the heart and the soul. So the more lively the heart is, the more complete the attribute of shyness is. He also said, His shyness exists in accordance with his knowledge of his Lord. It is not from shyness that a person abandons seeking knowledge in the religion and pursuing the truth. Rather this is due to weakness and feebleness. Muhammad ibn Salaam told us Muaawiyyah informed us that Hishaam told us from his father from Zaynab the daughter of Umm Salamah from Umm Salamah who said that Umm Sulaym came to the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and said, Indeed Allah does not shy away from the truth, so is it necessary for the woman to perform the Ghusl after she has had a wet dream? The Prophet sallallahu alyhi wa sallam said, If she notices discharge. Then Umm Salamah covered her face and said, O Messenger of Allah, does the woman experience wet dreams? He said, Yes, and may your right hand be covered with dust, so how else does a child resemble its mother?
(Translators note: Concerning the phrase, So how else does a child resemble its mother, means as mentioned in the explanation of Ibn Maajah, If the woman does not produce sexual discharge the how else is it that her child resembles her?) (Saheeh al-Bukhaaree 228-1)

Mujaahid said, Knowledge cannot be attained by a shy or a proud person. So shyness should be used appropriately in its place. So one should remain shy before Allah; so implement His commands and avoid His prohibitions. I conclude this subject with the statement of the poet:

Whenever ones dignity decreases so too does his shyness, and there is no good in a person who possesses no dignity.

Shyness is from (the Characteristics of) Faith

Your shyness, preserve it, because most certainly it is an indication of a noble person.
Another poet said:

If you do not fear what will happen to you, and are not shy then do you as you wish (and for this, you will be held responsible). By Allah, there is no worth to this world without the presence of shyness. A person experiences a lifetime of good so long as they remain upon shyness. Just as the branches of a tree remain strong so long as they are protected by bark.

Shyness is from (the Characteristics of) Faith