Question

Is this suitable to quote?

“If modesty were to take the form of a man, he would be a righteous man. If shamelessness were to take the form of a man, he would be an evil man.”

Answer

Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration.

Sayyidah ‘Aishah (radiyallahu ‘anha)  reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “O ‘Aishah! If modesty were [to take the form of] a man, it would have been a righteous man and if lewdness/obscenity were [to take the form of] a man, it would have been an evil man.”

(Al Mu’jamul Awsat, Hadith: 4715, Al Mu’jamus Saghir, Hadith: 674. Also see: Al Mu’jamul Awsat, Hadith: 333 and Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 7326 and 8060)

Although the chain contains a weak narrator, the Hadith is suitable to quote to encourage modesty as is the case with Hadiths of this nature.

(Refer: Targhib, vol. 3, pg. 399, Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 8, pg. 27)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar