Ramadan day 23 - the concept of Haya (modesty).

Haya’ (modesty) goes beyond just the obvious meaning. According to Islamqa:

Haya’ is an attitude which motivates a person to do what is good and to keep away from what is reprehensible and bad.

Al-Aadaab ash-Shar‘iyyah by Ibn Muflih (2/219).

An-Nawawi said in Riyadh as-Saaliheen (p. 295): The scholars said: The definition of haya’ is a characteristic that prompts a person to refrain from what is reprehensible and bad, and prevents him from falling short in fulfilling the rights of others who have rights over him. End quote.

There are many hadiths which speak of the virtue of attaining the characteristic of haya’.

Al-Bukhaari (6117) and Muslim (165) narrated from ‘Imraan ibn Husayn that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Haya’ leads to nothing but good.”

According to a version narrated by Muslim (166): “Haya’ is all good.”

Al-Haakim narrated from Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Haya’ and faith are inseparable; if one of them is lost, the other will be lost too.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami‘ (2483).

To have Haya’ means to be shy to displease Allah.

To disappoint Him.

It doesn’t mean you’re too shy to stop an evil or stand up for yourself or for the truth. That is weakness in faith.

Don’t confuse weakness with Haya’.