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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

Three Types of Shame: Muslims Must Possess It

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Islam views shame as a fundamental aspect of faith, motivating believers to avoid wrongdoing and uphold others' rights.
  • The Prophet Muhammad stated that shame brings only good and is a branch of faith.
  • Losing shame can lead to a gradual decline in behavior, loss of trust, and ultimately, a detachment from Islam.

Islam places significant importance on shame, considering it an integral part of faith that guides believers toward virtuous conduct. This sense of shame is described as a noble character trait that compels individuals to abandon negative actions and refrain from neglecting the rights of others.

Shame does not bring anything but good.

— Prophet MuhammadDescribing the virtue of shame within Islamic teachings.

The Prophet Muhammad emphasized the positive impact of shame, stating, "Shame does not bring anything but good." He further elaborated that faith comprises over 70 branches, with the highest being the declaration of faith and the lowest being the removal of obstacles from the path, and shame is counted among these branches.

Faith is (comprised of) more than 70 or 60 branches. The highest branch of faith is the declaration 'There is no god but Allah,' and the lowest branch of faith is removing a thorn (obstacle) from the road. Shame is also a branch of faith.

— Prophet MuhammadExplaining the multifaceted nature of faith and the place of shame within it.

In this Islamic context, shame is not a sign of weakness but a moral compass. It deters individuals from engaging in sinful or reprehensible behavior and encourages them to act justly and honorably. As some early Muslims noted, they viewed sin as a source of disgrace and chose to abandon it to preserve their dignity.

I saw sin as disgrace, so I abandoned it to preserve my honor, and it is impossible for sin to be my religion.

— A predecessorIllustrating the personal impact of shame in deterring sin.

Conversely, the absence of shame can lead to a moral decay. The Prophet Muhammad warned that when Allah intends to destroy a person, He removes their sense of shame. This loss is followed by the erosion of trustworthiness, leading to betrayal and being betrayed. Ultimately, it can result in the removal of divine mercy and a complete severance from the faith.

Indeed, Allah, when He intends to destroy a person, He removes shame from that person. When their shame is removed, you will not find them except as hated. When they are not found except as hated, trustworthiness is removed from them. When trustworthiness is removed from them, you will not find from them except as a traitor and betrayed. If they become a traitor and betrayed, mercy is removed from them. If mercy is removed from them, you will not find them except as cursed (or) one who curses. When cursed (or) one who curses is removed from them, then finally their bond with Islam is severed.

— Prophet MuhammadWarning about the severe consequences of losing one's sense of shame.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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