ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Ahlul-Bayt; Ethical Role-Models Modesty Modesty is to regard the others’ standings and avoid behaving arrogantly with them. It is an attractive quality that draws the hearts and provokes admiration. God ordered His (S) to cling to modesty: “And be modest with him who follows you of the believers.

(26:215)” The Prophet (S) said: “The most favorable of you and the nearest to me on the Day of Resurrection will be the most well-mannered and the most modest. The remotest of you to me on the Day of Resurrection will be the bigmouth and the proud[^1].” Amirul-Mu'minin (a) said: “It is very nice for the rich to behave modesty with the poor, out of seeking that which is with Allah.

A nicer thing is the arrogance of the poor towards the rich, out of their trust in Allah[^2].” Imam as-Sadiq (a) said: “In the heavens, there are two angels whose mission is to oversee the servants.

They advance him who behaves modestly, and humiliates him who behaves proudly[^3].” “Modesty is to accept to sit in a place other than the first row of a session, to greet whom you meet, to avoid disputation even if you are right, and to detest to be praised for the acts of God-fearing[^4].” It is worth mentioning that the recommended modesty is characterized by moderation and free from negligence and excess. Excessive modesty causes meanness, and negligence of modesty is a motive of arrogance.

A proverb says: The modesty of a high-positioned one will save him from the malicious enjoyment at his falling. We now forward some models of the virtues of The Ahlul-Bayt (a) regarding their unique and ideal modesty: The Prophet (S) was the most modest. When he was attendant in a house, he sits in the last place. In his house, he helped his wives.

He also used to milk his ewe, patch his garment, repair his slippers, serve himself, carry his goods from the mart, sit with the poor, and eat with the needy. When someone wanted to whisper in his ear, he used not to nod his head so that the other party would not nod the head. When someone shook hands with him, he used not to pull his hand unless the other party would do. When somebody sat with him, he used not to leave that meeting unless the other party would leave.

He used to greet everyone he met and extend his hand before the other would do. He had never extended his legs among his sitters. He used to honor everyone who would visit him.