The modesty of Uthman Ibn Affan رضي الله عنه, a lesson for the brothers (thread):

Modesty has always been viewed as something solely women must have, however, modesty is ingrained in Islam and is a vital virtue all Muslims, male and female, must posses. However, modesty isn’t just the way one dresses it also incorporates; your speech, actions & behaviour.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ stated that

“Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, is forbearing, modest and concealing, and He loves modesty and concealment. When any one of you performs Ghusl, let him conceal himself.”

[Sunan an-Nasa'i 406]

This Hadith highlights how even Allah ﷻ is modest and likes that his servants be modest too. It also highlights the extent of modesty that Islam commands that one must conceal him/herself even when they’re performing ghusl.

Uthman رضي الله عنه was & is the most modest individual from our Ummah, as the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said in a Hadith:

“Modesty is part of faith and the most modest of my nation is Uthman.”

[Tārīkh Dimashq 39916]

Al Hassan Al-Basri (a tabi’un) stated in regards to Uthman رضي الله عنه that:

“He ['Uthman] would be in a house with the door closed, and he would not take off his garment in order to pour water on himself, and modesty would prevent him from standing up straight.”

[Saheeh At Tawtheeq fi Seerah wa Hayat Dhi'n Noorayn, p. 43]

Bananah (a slave woman of Uthman رضي الله عنه’s wife) said:

“When 'Uthman bathed, I would bring him his garment and he would say: Do not look at me, for that is not permissible for you.”

[Tabaqat Ibn Sa’d, 3/59]

Uthman رضي الله عنه was not only cautious of his own modesty but also of others as shown.

A beautiful Hadith reported by Umi Aisha رضي الله عنها in regards to Uthman رضي الله عنه‘s modesty:

SubhanAllah, "Should I not be shy of a man around whom the angels are shy?" The beauty of this Hadith is that even the Prophet ﷺ was conscious of Uthman رضي الله عنه ’s modesty; he respected and endorsed it.

Even though he was a Prophet he got up and straightened his clothes, in respect for his virtue.

Even the Angels were shy i.e. conscious of Uthman رضي الله عنه ’s modesty. So imagine his rank and height of supremacy in his modesty, subhanAllah.

Points to ponder over:

- Modesty is a key component for our deen, one should be modest enough for even themselves. Uthman رضي الله عنه was shy to even change his clothes in his own house yet many of us are careless when it comes to being cautious when changing.

- In the presence of a non-Mahram our modesty should be intensified, a prime is example is how many people become relaxed in the presence of close non-Mahram’s such as cousins. Uthman رضي الله عنه displayed modesty even with the slave girl.

- Both men and women can cause fitnah for one another and should therefore dress accordingly to limit such from happening. Many Muslim men on social media, post pictures of their bodies e.g. at the gym & etc, but not many of them realise...

...it isn’t permissible to do so. Though many do not have the intent to attract anyone, it does still happen. Just as women should conceal their bodies as men may be attracted to them, men should also do the same, as the opposite can also happen.

Modesty is beautiful, and May Allah ﷻ grant us all the ability to attain it, Ameen ya rabb.