How is it said that modesty is rewarded, when most of it is instinctive?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : One might ask: How can modesty be something for which one is rewarded, when most of it is instinctive?
The Shaykh : Modesty is of two types: instinctive and acquired. Since the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) classified it as part of faith, he meant the acquired type. However, instinctive modesty is actually praiseworthy for a person if he adheres to it, and not praiseworthy if he... because some people have instinctive modesty; they feel shy in one situation but not in another. But if he restrains it and directs it to where it is praiseworthy, then it becomes praiseworthy for him.
The Shaykh : Modesty is of two types: instinctive and acquired. Since the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) classified it as part of faith, he meant the acquired type. However, instinctive modesty is actually praiseworthy for a person if he adheres to it, and not praiseworthy if he... because some people have instinctive modesty; they feel shy in one situation but not in another. But if he restrains it and directs it to where it is praiseworthy, then it becomes praiseworthy for him.