Highest Standard of Modesty (Hazrat Musleh Mau’d’s (ra) Narration)
Whilst describing Allah the Almighty’s attribute of “Kareem” [the Honourable], Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) mentioned the following incident of Hazrat Uthman (ra) stating:
“There is an incident of the Holy Prophet (sa) from which we learn that one displays a great deal of modesty in the presence of a person who is highly honourable. It is stated in the ahadith that the Holy Prophet (sa) was once lying down in his home whilst a part of his legs were slightly showing. Thereupon, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) came and sat down. Then, Hazrat Umar (ra) came and took a seat, but the Holy Prophet (sa) remained as he was. A short while later Hazrat Uthman (ra) knocked on the door. The Holy Prophet (sa) immediately stood up and covered his legs with the cloth, stating, ‘There is a great deal of modesty in the disposition of Uthman and therefore I am reluctant to have some part of my leg showing in front of him.’
“Then, there is the hadith”, which has been mentioned already, “where Hazrat Aisha (ra) relates that the Holy Prophet (sa) was once sitting at home and had slightly removed his garment that was covering his calves. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) sought permission to enter whilst the Holy Prophet (sa) was in this state. The Holy Prophet (sa) continued to lie down and gave him permission to enter and they continued to speak to one another. Then Hazrat Umar (ra) arrived, seeking permission [to enter]. The Holy Prophet (sa) granted him permission and continued to lie down as he was”, perhaps lying down or sitting. “Then, a short while after Hazrat Uthman (ra) came and the Holy Prophet (sa) stood up immediately and adjusted his clothes and then permitted him to enter. When they had all left, Hazrat Aisha (ra) asked the Holy Prophet (sa), ‘O Messenger (sa) of Allah, when Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and Hazrat Umar (ra) came you did not do anything and remained laying as you were, but when Hazrat Uthman (ra) came why did you stand up immediately and arrange your clothes?’ The Holy Prophet (sa) replied, ‘O Aisha, should I not show modesty in front of the one before whom even the angels display their modesty?’
“Thus, observe how the Holy Prophet (sa) regarded the modesty of Hazrat Uthman (ra) whereby just as he would display his modesty in front of others, the Holy Prophet (sa) displayed modesty when Hazrat Uthman (ra) was in his presence”, meaning due to the fact that Hazrat Uthman (ra) would display modesty in front of the people, the Holy Prophet (sa) also did the same when Hazrat Uthman (ra) came before him.
After mentioning this incident, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) stated, “Owing to God Almighty being Honourable [Kareem], mankind should strive to refrain from sin, act with modesty and obey His commandments. It should not be the case that they become fearless after committing a sin whilst assuming that just because God Almighty is very Honourable, He will grant them great favours in spite of all their sins.” Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) then states, “One should keep in mind that because God Almighty is Honourable, mankind should be modest and endeavour to abstain from sin.”
(Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 9, p. 259)