Question
What is the definition of haya/modesty?
Answer
The linguistic meaning of “Haya” is “Restraining one’s self from something and abandoning it out of fear of rebuke”
‘Allamah Jurjani (rahimahullah) writes, ‘Modesty is of two types:
- Nafsani [i.e., Intrinsically/Naturally], Allah Ta’ala has created this natural shyness/modesty in humans like not exposing one’s private areas in public etc.
- Imani [i.e., The modesty that comes about due to Iman], Iman stops a person from carrying out sins due to the fear of Allah Ta’ala
(At Ta’rifat, pg. 83)
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) writes, “Haya” in Islam is “a characteristic that enables one to abstain from undesirable acts and prevents a person from falling short in fulfilling the rights of others”
(Fathul Bari, Hadith: 9)
See Hadiths on modesty here.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar,
Modesty is a trait that is an exclusive, distinctive feature of humans.
Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar