Hadith #1

IslamWiki Explanation — IslamWiki Scholarly Team

This hadith establishes shyness (hayaa) as a concept the Prophet ﷺ actively cultivated in others. When the Prophet ﷺ heard someone rebuking his brother for being too shy, he corrected this misunderstanding by stating that 'shyness does not bring anything except good.' Imam al-Nawawi opens Riyadh us-Salihin with the chapter on Hayaa because it is the foundation of noble character — one who has hayaa will naturally avoid what is displeasing to Allah. Ibn Allan notes that hayaa branches into two types: innate hayaa (fitri), which is a God-given disposition, and acquired hayaa (iktisabi), which is cultivated through knowledge and awareness of Allah's oversight. Both are praiseworthy. The apparent objection that hayaa can sometimes prevent a person from seeking knowledge or speaking the truth is addressed by scholars who distinguish between blameworthy shyness (when it prevents fulfilling obligations) and praiseworthy shyness (which restrains from sins). Ibn Uthaymin clarifies that the hadith refers specifically to the shyness that produces good, not any self-restraint that harms one's religious duties.