This act of ours used to engage our hearts and occupy our thoughts...

This act of ours used to engage our hearts and occupy our thoughts, leaving us neglectful and heedless of Allah, and this is what has caused us to become wretched and earned for us an evil Hereafter.’”[^5] Zulaikha When Zulaikha followed Yusuf to gratify herself and proposed to commit the sin, Yusuf suddenly observed that she had covered something with a piece of cloth. “What did you do?” he asked her.

“I have covered the face of the idol so that it does not watch me while I commit the sin,” she replied.

Hearing this, Yusuf said, “(If) you exhibit shyness and modesty before a stone that does not see, it is more befitting for me to exhibit shame and modesty before the One, Who sees and Who is aware of what is manifest about me and what is concealed within me.”[^6] The Modesty of Amirul Mo’minin The marriage formula between Imam ‘Ali (as) and Hadhrat Zahra (as) had been recited in the year 2 ah, but the wedding ceremony took place only later (after one month or one year, as per varying reports).

During this period, ‘Ali (as), out of shyness, would not utter the name of Fatimah (as) and she too behaved likewise. This continued till one day, the wives of the Noble Prophet (S) approached ‘Ali (as) and asked: “Why do you delay the wedding ceremony? If you experience a feeling of shyness and timidity, permit us to speak to the Noble Prophet (S) about it.” Imam ‘Ali (as) granted them permission. En masse, they arrived in the presence of the Noble Prophet (S). “O’ Prophet of Allah!” they said.

“Had Khadijah been alive, Fatimah’s wedding ceremony would have left her overjoyed and Fatimah (as) herself would be happy to set her eyes upon her husband. ‘Ali (as) too awaits his wife and we look forward to this joyous occasion.” Hearing Khadijah’s name, tears welled up in the Noble Prophet’s eyes.