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 ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “O ‘Aaishah! 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: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar