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Fatwa CenterBeing praised for being a shy person
Question
I am a shy person, and whenever I go to mosque the teacher is always making an example of me to the other students by praising me because I keep to myself and am always reading the Quran. But this is mainly because I am a shy person. Am I a hypocrite? What does Islam say about shyness?
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
Shyness is one of the branches of Iman, and a characteristic of goodness and righteousness, and this is good, as the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) informed us.
The shyness that is Praise worthy is that which forbids the person from performing evil deeds or neglecting the rights of others. We think that you are on this state, and be steadfast on this until you meet your Lord. The praising of your teacher of you is a sign of goodness.
Imam Muslim reported that Abu Dhar, may Allah be pleased with him, said: The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) was asked: "What if a man does a righteous act and people Praise him for it?" The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "This is an advance glad tiding for a Muslim." So you are all right, and that is not hypocrisy. But you have to be cautious about two matters:
The fact that people are praising you should not lead you to be proud of yourself or proud of your actions, as this leads a person to destruction. But you should praise Allah that people are thinking good of you, and perform more good deeds as a sign of being grateful to Allah.
Be careful not to fall into dispraised shyness, which urges a person to leave a wajib an obligation or to commit a forbidden act.
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