Haya meaning in Islam is not only modesty
Haya has broad meanings in Islam but many narrow its meaning to modesty or bashfulness, which is incorrect. Before looking into Haya’s meaning, let us read a few blessed Ahadith of Allah subhanahu’s dearest Prophet Muhammad (Salallaho alayhay wa alehe wabarik wa sallam) about “Haya”.
- Every religion has its distinct characteristic, and the distinct characteristic of Islam is Haya [reference 1].
- They asked , O Prophet of ALLAH (Salallaho alayhay wa alehe wabarik wa sallam) , is Haya a part of religion? He (Salallaho alayhay wa alehe wabarik wa sallam) said: Rather, it is the entire religion.[reference 2] .
- Haya and belief are together. If one of them is removed, the other is removed [reference 3].
If Haya is viewed as a distinctive character of Islam and as the whole of religion, then it would be unjust to limit it to modesty.
Modesty can also be found among non-Muslims, like Christian lady priests in the Church are fully covered and have a high level of modesty. So “Haya” does not mean just modesty, but has a wide range of meanings. The concept of modesty is only one part of Haya.
Haya is produced in the heart by extreme shyness or strong inner feelings. This prevent one from doing anything that has the slightest chance of either of the following events occurring.
Creating embarrassment or
Hurting others’ feelings.
Showing weakness or helplessness.
These feelings of shyness create three main kinds of characteristics, i.e.
The 2nd word Maru’a is translated as Chivalry/Bravery in English but it is not the exact word to describe its meaning. Most of the quality of Haya comes from Muru’a. Maru’a is taking care of feelings of others and trying not to hurt feelings. Maru’a is actually a combination of good manners’, courtesy, generosity, and sacrifice. Imam Shafi has explained Maru’a in the following narration.
Narrated by Rabi Bin Sulayman that I heard Imam Shafi saying ( about Maru’a ) Shafi: “Muru’a has four parts i.e Good manners, generosity, humility or down-to-earthness and sacrifice. [Sunan Alkubra , Al Bayhaqi]
Haya in Quran
Quran has used the word Haya in all three of its meanings, i.e. Bashfulness , Not hurting feelings and self-respect in three separate verses in Quran. These are explained below.
Haya as bashfullness in Quran
The following verses of Quran (28:25) shows the word “Haya” used as bashfullness. This is the story of Prophet Sayyidna Musa (alayhay Salam) when the daughter of Prophet Sayyidna Shoaib (alayhay Salam) walked towards him to convey him her father’s message.
فَجَآءَتۡهُ إِحۡدَٮٰهُمَا تَمۡشِى عَلَى ٱسۡتِحۡيَآءٍ قَالَتۡ إِنَّ أَبِى يَدۡعُوكَ لِيَجۡزِيَكَ أَجۡرَ مَا سَقَيۡتَ لَنَاۚ فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُ ۥ وَقَصَّ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلۡقَصَصَ قَالَ لَا تَخَفۡۖ نَجَوۡتَ مِنَ ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ (سُوۡرَةُ القَصَص25 )
پھر ان دونوں میں سے ایک اس کے پاس شرم سے چلتی ہوئی آئی کہا میرے باپ نے تمہیں بلایا ہے کہ تمہیں پلائی کی اجرت دے پھر جب اس کے پاس پہنچا اور اس کے تمام حال بیان کیا کہا خوف نہ کر تواس بے انصاف قوم سے بچ آیا ہے (۲۵)
Translation 1 (by Abdul Darya Abadi ): Then there came unto him one of the twain walking bashfully, and said: verily my father calleth for thee, that he may recompense thee with a hire for that thou didst water the flock for us. Then, when he was come unto him and had recounted unto him the whole story, he said: fear not; thou hast escaped from the wrong-doing people.
Translation 1 (by Doctor Mohsin ): TThen there came to him one of the two ladies, walking shyly. She said: “Verily, my father calls you that he may reward you for having watered (our flocks) for us.” So when he came to him and narrated the story, he said: “Fear you not. You have escaped from the people who are Zâlimûn (polytheists, disbelievers, and wrong-doers).” (25)
Haya as Maru'a or trying not to hurt feelings in Quran
The following verses in Quran from Surah Al-Ahzab 53, describes the Haya as Maru’a.
O Ye who believe! Enter not the dwellings of the Prophet for a meal without waiting for the proper time, unless permission be granted you. But if ye are invited, enter, and, when your meal is ended, then disperse. Linger not for conversation. Lo! that would cause annoyance to the Prophet, and he would be shy of (asking) you (to go); but Allah is not shy of telling the truth. (Surah Al-Ahzab 53)
Haya as self-respect/dignity in Quran
The following verses in Quran from Surah Surah Al-Baqara verse 273, describes the self-respect and dignity of people with Haya. The verse tells that people with hide their weakness and need from people. People think that they are self-sufficient, even if they are in extreme need.This shows the dignity and self-respect of people with Haya.
(Alms are) for the poor who are straitened for the cause of Allah, who cannot travel in the land (for trade). The unthinking man accounteth them wealthy because of their restraint. Thou shalt know them by their mark: They do not beg of men with importunity. And whatsoever good thing ye spend, lo! Allah knoweth it . [Surah Al-Baqarah 2:273]
Dearest Prophet of Allah (Salallaho alayhay wa alehe wabarik wa sallam) described the following verse in the following Hadith and explained that such people do not ask other people’s help due to Haya. They show their self-respect even at the time of extreme need.
Narrated Abu Hurairah (RA):Dear Prophet (Salallaho alayhay wa alehe wabarik wa sallam) said, “The poor person is not the one who asks a morsel or two (of meals) from the others, but the poor is the one who has nothing and due to Haya he does not ask people with importunity.” [ Saheeh Bokhari 1476]
15 Ahadith about Haya (in addition to previous 2 Ahadith)
Hadith #3 Haya is the foundation of Husn e Akhlaq [Good Manners]
Good manners are regarded among the highest virtues in Islam. It is clear from the following Hadith, that a Muslim with polite and beautiful manners will get the highest levels in Paradise.
Narrated Abu Umamah (RA) : The Prophet ﷺ said: I guarantee a house in the surroundings of Paradise for a man who avoids quarrelling even if he were in the right, a house in the middle of Paradise for a man who avoids lying even if he were joking, and a house in the upper part of Paradise for a man who made his character good. [ Sunan Abu Dawud ,Hadith 4800]
And almost all the important characterisitics of good manners are produced due to Haya. This is told by Ummul Momineen Sayyida Aisha Siddiqa (May Allah be please with her) in the following narration.
There are ten good morals which are (sometimes) in a man (but) his son is devoid of them and (sometimes) they are in a son while the father is deprived of them (sometimes) in a servant (but ) does not belong to his owner, Allah Ta’ala distributes these morals to whomever He wants to make fortunate and happy.
1. Telling the truth in conversation.
2. Steadfastness and determination in obedience to Allah
3. Give to the one who asks (for charity).
4. Pay back (a favor) by doing good.
5. Protection of trust.
6. Maintaining relationships with relatives.
7, 8 Having feelings of shyness [or Maru’a for neighbors and friends.
9. Hospitality
and the foundation of all these virtues.
10. is “Haya”.
(Hakim Bayhaqi in Shub al-Iman on the authority of Sayyida Aisha Siddika رضي الله عنها )
Hadith #4 #5 Haya makes a person naively noble
Reading the above Ahadith, it is clear that a person with Haya will appear very innocent and naive to others. But this should be remembered that a person of Haya is wise and knows everything. This is clearly told in the previous Hadith saying that a Momin with Haya has restrained his tongue but not restrained hid intellect and heart. But the worldly people mistake him for being too simple and naive. This characteristic of Momin is told in the following Hadith with two translations.
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ الْمُؤْمِنُ غِرٌّ كَرِيمٌ وَالْفَاجِرُ خِبٌّ لَئِيمٌ ” . ( سنن ابی داؤد 4790)
رسول اللہ صلي الله عليه وآله وبارك وسلم نے ارشاد فرمایا: مومن بھولا بھالا اور شریف ہوتا ہے اور فاجر فسادی اور کمینہ ہوتا ہے ( سنن ابی داؤد 4790)
حیا کے باعث مومن میں بہت زیادہ مروت کا جذبہ ہوتا ہے .کچھ لوگ مومن کی مروت کو کمزوری اور سادہ لوہی سمجھتے ہیں اور بے مروتی کو ایک خوبی سمجھتے ہیں. اسی لئے رسول اللہ صلي الله عليه وآله وبارك وسلم نے ارشاد فرمایا: مومن بھولا بھالا اور شریف ہوتا ہے اور فاجر فسادی اور کمینہ ہوتا ہے ( سنن ابی داؤد 4790)
“The believer is naively noble, and the stingy person is deceitfully treacherous.” or The believer is simple and generous, but the profligate is deceitful and ignoble. [Abu Dawud 4790 ]
There is also another Hadith related to this Hadith.
A believer is so gentle that you will think him a fool because of his gentleness and kindness.
(Shab al-Iman, al-Thaqafi fi al-Iqafaat al-Dilami, narrated by Abu Huraira)
Hadith #6 Haya stops a person from asking others even in extreme need
Narrated Abu Hurairah (RA):Dear Prophet (salallaho alayhay wa alehe wabarik wa sallam) said, “The poor person is not the one who asks a morsel or two (of meals) from the others, but the poor is the one who has nothing and due to Haya he does not ask people with importunity.” [ Saheeh Bokhari 1476]
Hadith #7 Interrelation of Haya , Chastity and not speaking (due to shyness even for your own need)
A person with Haya has 2 important characteristics.
- Chastity
- Not using tongue for personal like or dislike due to shyness.
The second quality is due to shyness. A Momin with Haya hides his inner feelings from people. Sometimes he gets annoyed by other people’s actions but due to Haya, he does not utter a word to show his discomfort. Sometimes people take disadvantage of his shyness and do not return him something that they owe to him. This momin is not dumb and knows everything but does not speak to stop this even at the cost of his own loss or discomfort. Just like our Dearest Allah’s Prophet Muhammad (salallaho alayhay wa alehe wabarik wa sallam) was feeling discomfort due to the prolonged sitting of guests in his small house soon after his wedding, but he salallaho alayhay wa alehe wabarik wa sallam) did not use his tongue to tell them to leave. Because of Haya, Dear Prophet Muhammad (salallaho alayhay wa alehe wabarik wa sallam)felt that telling them to leave or show his discomfort would hurt their feelings. This quality of not speaking is mentioned in the following Hadith also. Note that this Hadith talks about three qualities of Haya, Chastity and not using tongue, all together. This also shows their interrelation.
إن الحياء والعفاف والعي عي اللسان، لا عي القلب والعقل من الإيمان، وإنهن يزدن في الآخرة، وينقصن من الدنيا، وما يزدن في الأخرة أكثر مما ينقصن من الدنيا، وإن الشح والفحش والبذاء من النفاق، وإنهن ينقصن من الآخرة، ويزدن في الدنيا، ولما ينقصن من الآخرة أكثر مما يزدن في الدنيا. يعقوب بن سفيان “طب حل هق خط كر” من طريق إياس بن معاوية بن قرة المزني عن أبيه عن جده
أخرجه الطبراني في ((المعجم الأوسط)) (32)
کنزالعمال کتاب: کتاب البر باب: الاکمال حدیث : 5787 .
حیا پاکدامنی اور زبان کی بندش نہ کہ عقل اور دل کی بندش ہے (یہ تینوں اوصاف) ایمان کا حصہ ہیں یہ آخرت میں اضافہ کرتی ہیں اور دنیا میں سے کم کرتی ہیں اور آخرت میں ان کا اضافہ دنیا کے نقصان سے بڑھ کر ہے، جبکہ لالچ، فحش اور بےحیائی نفاق سے (پیدا ہوتی) ہیں اور یہ آخرت میں کمی کرتی ہیں اور دنیا میں اضافہ کرتی ہیں اور آخرت میں جو نقصان کرتی ہیں وہ دنیا میں اضافہ سے کئی زیادہ ہے۔ (یعقوب بن سفیان، طبرانی فی الکبیر، حلیۃ الاولیاء بیہقی فی السنن، خطیب، ابن عساکر عن طریق ایاس بن معاویہ بن قوۃ المزنی عن ابیہ عن جدہ)
تشریح:۔۔۔ یعنی حیاء پاکدامنی اور کھل کر بات نہ کرنے سے دنیا کا نقصان تو ہوتا ہے لیکن آخرت میں درجات میں اضافہ ہوتا ہے اس کے برعکس لالچ فحش اور بےحیائی سے دنیاوی منافع تو کچھ وقت کے لیے حاصل ہوجاتے ہیں لیکن آخرت کا نقصان اس سے بڑھ کر ہے۔
Modesty, chastity, and restraint of tongue, not restraint of intellect and heart (these qualities) are part of Imaan (faith). Greed, obscenity and indecency are (arisen) from Nifaq (hypocrisy) and they decrease in the Hereafter and increase in this world, and the harm they cause in the Hereafter is far greater than the increase in this world. (Yaqub bin Sufyan, Tabarani fi al-Kabeer, Haliyat al-Awaliya Bayhaqi fi Sunan, Khatib, Ibn Asaqir on the authority of Tariq Iyas bin Muawiya bin Quwat al-Mazni on the authority of Abiyya on the authority of Jeddah)
Explanation: That is, Haya, chastity, and not speaking openly cause loss in this world, but increase in ranks in the Hereafter, on the contrary, greed, obscenity, and immorality gain worldly profits for some time, but the loss in the Hereafter is greater than that.
Hadith #8 Haya can cause financial loss
عَنْ بْنِ عُمَرَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَرَّ عَلَى رَجُلٍ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ ، وَهُوَ يَعِظُ أَخَاهُ فِي الحَيَاءِ ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : « دَعْهُ فَإِنَّ الحَيَاءَ مِنَ الإِيمَانِ » (رواه البخارى ومسلم)
حضرت عبداللہ بن عمر رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ سے روایت ہے کہ رسول اللہ ﷺ کا گذر، انصار میں سے ایک شخص پر ہوا، اور وہ اس وقت اپنے بھائی کو حیا کے بارہ میں کچھ نصیحت و ملامت کر رہا تھا، تو آپ نے اس سے فرمایا کہ اس کو اس کے حال پر چھوڑ دو کیوں کہ حیا تو ایمان کا جز یا ایمان کا پھل ہے۔ (صحیح بخاری و مسلم)
Messenger of Allah salallaho alayhay wa alehe wabarik wa sallam) passed by a man of the Ansar who was admonishing his brother regarding shyness. Messenger of Allah salallaho alayhay wa alehe wabarik wa sallam) said, “Leave him alone, for Haya is a part of Iman.” [Saheeh Bukhari]
Beautiful explanation of above Hadith in Maarif-ul-Hadith
The meaning of the hadith is that there was a Sahabi from the Ansar who was specially endowed by Allah with the attribute of extreme shyness (Haya), the natural consequence of which would be that he would be gentle in his dealings.Due to Haya he could never get strict towards people for demanding his own rights . On many occasions he will not be able to speak openly because of this shyness and modesty, as is usually the case with people of Haya. He had a brother whoo did not like his condition and attitude, one day this brother was reprimanding and reprimanding his modest brother, why are you so shy and modest, in this situation.This brother was advicing him not to have so much Haya as it was harming him in worldy or financial matters. Dear Prophet Muhammad (SAW) passed by these brothers and after listening to their words, he(SAW) said to the brother who was reprimanding and admonishing, “Leave these brothers of yours to his condition (of shyness or Haya). This condition of his is a very blessed condition. Shyness and modesty are of faith. A branch or a fruit of faith, even if the interests of this world suffer because of it, the the levels of the Hereafter increase infinitely.
حدیث کا مطلب یہ ہے کہ انصار میں سے کوئی صاحب تھے جن کو اللہ تعالیٰ نے شرم و حیا کا وصف خاص طور سے عطا فرمایا تھا، جس کا قدرتی نتیجہ یہ ہو گا کہ وہ اپنے معاملات میں نرم ہوں گے، سخت گیری کے ساتھ لوگوں سے اپنے حقوق کا مطالبہ بھی نہ کرتے ہوں گے، اور بہت سے موقعوں پر اسی شرم و حیا کی وجہ سے کھل کر باتیں بھی نہ کر پاتے ہوں گے، جیسا کہ اہلِ حیا کا عموماً حال ہوتا ہے، اور اُن کے کوئی بھائی تھے، جو ان کی اس حالت اور روش کو پسند نہیں کرتے تھے، ایک دن یہ بھائی ان صاحب حیا بھائی کو اس پر ملامت اور سرزنش کر رہے تھے کہ تم اس قدر شرم و حیا کیوں کرتے ہو، اسی حالت میں رسول اللہ ﷺ کا ان دونوں بھائیوں پر گذر ہوا، اور آپ نے ان کی باتیں سن کر ملامت و نصیحت کرنے والے بھائی سے ارشاد فرمایا کہ اپنے ان بھائی کو ان کے حال پہ چھوڑ دو، ان کا یہ حال تو بڑا مبارک حال ہے، شرم و حیا تو ایمان کی ایک شاخ یا ایمان کا پھل ہے اگر اس کی وجہ سے بالفرض دنیا کے مفادات کچھ فوت بھی ہوتے ہوں، تو آخرت کے درجے بے انتہا بڑھتے ہیں۔
Hadith #9 Maru'a makes the good cahracter
عَنْ يَحْيَی بْنِ سَعِيدٍ أَنَّ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ قَالَ کَرَمُ الْمُؤْمِنِ تَقْوَاهُ وَدِينُهُ حَسَبُهُ وَمُرُوئَتُهُ خُلُقُهُ وَالْجُرْأَةُ وَالْجُبْنُ غَرَائِزُ يَضَعُهَا اللَّهُ حَيْثُ شَائَ فَالْجَبَانُ يَفِرُّ عَنْ أَبِيهِ وَأُمِّهِ وَالْجَرِيئُ يُقَاتِلُ عَمَّا لَا يَئُوبُ بِهِ إِلَی رَحْلِهِ وَالْقَتْلُ حَتْفٌ مِنْ الْحُتُوفِ وَالشَّهِيدُ مَنْ احْتَسَبَ نَفْسَهُ عَلَی اللَّهِ
۔ ۔ موطا امام مالک 907
یحییٰ بن سعید سے روایت ہے کہ حضرت عمر بن خطاب فرمایا کرتے تھے؛ عزت مومن کے تقوی میں ہے اور دین اس کی شرافت ہے اور مروت اس کا خلق ہے اور بہادری اور نامردی دونوں خلقی صفتیں ہیں جس شخص میں اللہ چاہتا ہے ان صفتوں کو رکھتا ہے تو نامرد اپنے ماں باپ کو چھوڑ کر بھاگ جاتا ہے اور بہادر اس شخص سے لڑتا ہے جس کو جانتا ہے کہ گھر تک نہ جانے دے گا اور قتل ایک موت ہے موتوں میں سے اور شہید وہ ہے جو اپنی جان خوشی سے اللہ کے سپرد کر دے۔۔ موطا امام مالک 907
Umar ibn al-Khattab said:
“The nobility of the mumin is his taqwa.”
“His deen is his Caste.”
“His Maru’a is his good character(Ikhlaq)”.
Boldness and cowardice are but instincts which Allah places in whomever He wills. The coward shrinks from defending even his father and mother, and the bold one fights with the one whom he knows that will not let him go home. Being slain is but one way of meeting death, and the martyr is the one who gives life happily to Allah [Mauta Imam Malik 907]
Hadith #10 Allah (سبحانه وتعالي) loves a person with Haya and dignity
حَدَّثَنَا مُؤَمَّلُ بْنُ الْفَضْلِ الْحَرَّانِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عِيسَى يَعْنِي ابْنَ يُونُسَ، حَدَّثَنَا جَعْفَرٌ يَعْنِي ابْنَ مَيْمُونٍ صَاحِبَ الْأَنْمَاطِ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو عُثْمَانَ،عَنْ سَلْمَانَ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: إِنَّ رَبَّكُمْ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى حَيِيٌّ كَرِيمٌ يَسْتَحْيِي مِنْ عَبْدِهِ إِذَا رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ إِلَيْهِ أَنْ يَرُدَّهُمَا صِفْرًا. ۔ ۔ موطا امام مالک 907
سلمان ؓ کہتے ہیں کہ رسول اللہ ﷺ نے فرمایا: تمہارا رب بہت باحیاء اور کریم (کرم والا) ہے، جب اس کا بندہ اس کے سامنے اپنے دونوں ہاتھ اٹھاتا ہے تو انہیں خالی لوٹاتے ہوئے اسے اپنے بندے سے شرم آتی ہے ۔ موطا امام مالک 907
Narrated Salman al-Farsi (RA) : Our Dearest Prophet ﷺ said: Your Lord is munificent and generous, and is ashamed to turn away empty the hands of His servant when he raises them to Him. [Sunan Abu Dawud 1488]
Hadith #11 Haya of Allah (سبحانه وتعالي)
As already explained ,that a person with Haya is humble/meek, chaste and they never ask people for his needs. These qualities are compulsory part of Haya and that is why they are mentioned together with Haya in the following Hadith saying that Allah loves these qualities
حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ إدْرِیسَ ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ ، عَنْ حَبِیبٍ ، عَنْ مَیْمُونِ بْنِ أَبِی شَبِیبٍ ، قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُولُ اللہِ صَلَّی اللَّہُ عَلَیْہِ وَسَلَّمَ: إنَّ اللَّہَ یُحِبُّ الْحَیِیَّ الْحَلِیمَ المتعفف، وَیُبْغِضُ الْفَاحِشَ الْبَذِیئَ السَّائِلَ الْمُلْحِفَ۔ ۔
ابن ابی شیبہ 25852
حضرت میمون بن ابی شبیب فرماتے ہیں کہ رسول اللہ ﷺ نے ارشاد فرمایا: بیشک اللہ حیا دار، بردبار، سفید پوش کو پسند فرماتے ہیں۔ اور فحش کلام کرنے والے، اور لوگوں سے چمٹ کر مانگنے والے کو مبغوض رکھتے ہیں۔ ۔
ابن ابی شیبہ 25852
Narrated Salman Maimon ibn Abi Shabaib (RA): Dear Prophet ﷺ said: Verily Allah loves the person with Haya, humbleness/meekness, Al-Muta-af (a person who is in need but hides his need from people and people think he is sefl sufficient) and hates the person who is [Sunan Abu Dawud 1488]
Hadith #12 Haya of Dear Allah's Prophet Muhammad (صلي الله عليه وآله وبارك وسلم)
Due to extreme level of Haya ,Dear Allah’s Prophet Muhammad (صلي الله عليه وآله وبارك وسلم) never complained or used his tongue for his personal discomfort. Sahaba could only know about any discomfort to him by his beautiful face.
حَدَّثَنِي عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ عَنْ قَتَادَةَ سَمِعَ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ أَبِي عُتْبَةَ يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ ح و حَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّی وَأَحْمَدُ بْنُ سِنَانٍ قَالَ زُهَيْرٌ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ مَهْدِيٍّ عَنْ شُعْبَةَ عَنْ قَتَادَةَ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ أَبِي عُتْبَةَ يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيَّ يَقُولُا کَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّی اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَشَدَّ حَيَائً مِنْ الْعَذْرَائِ فِي خِدْرِهَا وَکَانَ إِذَا کَرِهَ شَيْئًا عَرَفْنَاهُ فِي وَجْهِهِ
6032 صحیح مسلم
حضرت ابوسعید خدری ؓ فرماتے ہیں کہ رسول اللہ ﷺ اس کنواری لڑکی سے بھی زیادہ شرم وحیاء والے تھے جو کہ باپردہ ہو اور جب آپ ﷺ کسی چیز کو ناپسند سمجھتے تھے تو ہم اسے آپ ﷺ کے چہرہ اقدس سے پہچان جاتے تھے۔
6032 صحیح مسلم
Abu Said Khudri reported that Allah’s Messenger (Salallaho alayhay wa alehe wabarik wa sallam) was more Haya than the virgin behind the curtain (or in the apartment), and when he disliked anything, we recognized that from his face.. [Saheeh Muslim 6032]
Hadith #13 Haya in family life of Dearest Prophet Muhammad (صلي الله عليه وآله وبارك وسلم)
The following Hadith shows the highest level of shyness (Haya) in the family life of our Dearest Prophet of Allah (صلي الله عليه وآله وبارك وسلم) . It should be noted that what is mentioned in the Hadith is Mustahab ( ’beloved thing’). Mustahab means that it is recommended, favored or virtuous actions.
حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ عَنْ مَنْصُورٍ عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ الْخَطْمِيِّ عَنْ مَوْلىً لِعَائِشَةَ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ مَا نَظَرْتُ إِلَى فَرْجِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَطُّ أَوْ مَا رَأَيْتُ فَرْجَ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَطُّ
23252 مسند احمد
حضرت عائشہ ؓ سے مروی ہے کہ میں نے کبھی بھی نبی ﷺ کی ستر پر نظر نہیں ڈالی
(یا ایک اور روایت میں) میں نے نبی ﷺ کی ستر کو کبھی نہیں دیکھا
23252 مسند احمد
Narrated by Sayyida Aisha Siddika (May Allah be pleased with her) that “I never looked at the Satr ستر of Prophet Muhammad (صلي الله عليه وآله وبارك وسلم) .”
[or another narration words ]
“I never saw Satr ستر of Prophet Muhammad(صلي الله عليه وآله وبارك وسلم) .” [Masnad Ahmad 2352]
Hadith #14 Haya from Allah (سبحانه وتعالي)
The following Hadith explains the vast meanings of Haya. It also tells us that Haya from Allah (SWT) is also not have sinful thoughts in our brain and also not to eat forbidden food or food that is bought from unlawful money.
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ ، قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : اسْتَحْيُوا مِنَ اللهِ حَقَّ الحَيَاءِ . قَالَ : قُلْنَا : يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ إِنَّا نَسْتَحْيِي مِنَ اللهِ وَالحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ، قَالَ : لَيْسَ ذَالِكَ ، وَلَكِنَّ الاِسْتِحْيَاءَ مِنَ اللهِ حَقَّ الحَيَاءِ أَنْ تَحْفَظَ الرَّأْسَ وَمَا وَعَى ، وَالبَطْنَ وَمَا حَوَى ، وَتَذْكُرَ الْمَوْتَ وَالبَلَى ، وَمَنْ أَرَادَ الآخِرَةَ تَرَكَ زِينَةَ الدُّنْيَا ، وَآثَرَ عَلَى الْاُوْلَى فَمَنْ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ فَقَدْ اسْتَحْيَا مِنَ اللهِ حَقَّ الحَيَاءِ . (رواه الترمذى)
حضرت عبداللہ بن مسعود رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ سے روایت ہے کہ رسول اللہ ﷺ نے فرمایا: اللہ تعالیٰ سے ایسی حیا کرو جیسی اُس سے حیا کرنی چاہئے۔ مخاطبین نے عرض کیا، الحمدللہ! ہم اللہ سے حیا کرتے ہیں۔ آپ نے فرمایا، یہ نہیں (یعنی حیا کا مفہوم اتنا محدود نہیں ہے جتنا کہ تم سمجھ رہے ہو) بلکہ اللہ تعالیٰ سے حیا کرنے کا حق یہ ہے کہ سر اور سر میں جو افکار و خیالات ہیں اُن سب کی نگہداشت کرو، اور پیٹ کی اور جو کچھ اس میں بھرا ہے اس سب کی نگرانی کرو (یعنی برے خیالات سے دماغ کی، اور حرام و ناجائز غذا سے پیٹ کی حفاظت کرو) اور موت اور موت کے بعد قبر میں جو حالت ہونی ہے اس کو یاد کرو اور جو شخص آخرت کو اپنا مقصد بنائے، وہ دنیا کی آرائش و عشرتسے دستبردار ہو جائے گا، اور اس چند روزہ زندگی کے عیش کے مقابلہ میں آگے آنے والی زندگی کی کامیابی کو اپنے لئے پسند اور اختیار کرے گا، پس جس نے یہسب کچھ یا، سمجھو کہ اللہ سے حیا کرنے کا حق اُس نے ادا کیا۔ (جامع ترمذی)
تشریح
اس حدیث میں حیا کے معنی کی وسعت کی طرف اشارہ کیا گیا ہے، نیز حدیث کے آخری حصہ سے ایک اصولی بات یہ بھی معلوم ہوئی کہ اللہ سے حیا کرنے کا حق وہی بندے ادا کر سکتے ہیں جن کی نظر میں اس دنیا اور اس کے عیش و عشرت کی کوئی قیمت نہ ہو، اور دنیا کو ٹھکرا کے آخرت کو انہوں نے اپنا مطمح نظر بنا لیا ہو، اور موت اور موت کے بعد کی منزلیں ان کو ہمہ وقت یاد رہتی ہوں، اور اور جس کا یہ حال نہ ہو وہ خواہ کیسی ہی باتیں بناتا ہو، اس حدیث کا فیصلہ ہے کہ اس نے اللہ سے حیا کا حق ادانہیں کیا۔
Abdullah bin Masoud(RA),narrated the Messenger of Allah(SAW)said: Have Haya [Shyness] from Allah the way it should be. The audience said, Alhamdulillah! We do have Haya [shyness] from Allah. He(SAW) said, It is not (that is, the meaning of Haya is not as limited as you think), but the right to have to Haya from Allah is to take care of the head and all the thoughts that are in the head, and the stomach. (i.e. protect the mind from evil thoughts and the stomach from forbidden food) and remember death and the state that will be in the grave after death and what If a person makes the hereafter his goal, he will give up the adornments and pleasures of this world, and will prefer and adopt the success of the next life in comparison to the luxury of this few days’ life.
Whoever did like this, then understand that he paid the right to have Haya [shyness] from Allah . [Hadith Jami` at-Tirmidhi]
There is also another Hadith about having Haya from Allah (SWT) but this hadith is describing Haya as modesty.
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ نُفَيْلٍ، حَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرٌ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ بْنِ أَبِي سُلَيْمَانَ الْعَرْزَمِيِّ، عَنْ عَطَاءٍ، عَنْ يَعْلَى، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم رَأَى رَجُلاً يَغْتَسِلُ بِالْبَرَازِ بِلاَ إِزَارٍ فَصَعِدَ الْمِنْبَرَ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ حَيِيٌّ سِتِّيرٌ يُحِبُّ الْحَيَاءَ وَالسَّتْرَ فَإِذَا اغْتَسَلَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَسْتَتِرْ ”
سنن ابي داود 4012
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saw a man washing in a public place without a lower garment. So he mounted the pulpit, praised and extolled Allah and said: Allah is characterised by modesty and concealment. So when any of you washes, he should conceal himself. [Sunan Abi Dawud 4012]
Hadith#15 Haya from angels of Allah (سبحانه وتعالي)
Allah(SWT) has appointed angels with us for differents duties. Two of these angels are appointed to write our deeds. The following narration from Companion Abu Huraira (RA) tells us that we should have feelings of shyness [Haya] from these angels also, just like shyness from people. For this Haya from these angels, we should not do any shameful and sinful acts even when we are alone.
ليستح أحدكم من ملكيه اللذين معه، كما يستحي من رجلين صالحين من جيرانه، وهما معه بالليل والنهار.(بیہقی فی شعب الایمان عن ابوہریرہ ؓ)
کنزالعمال 5751
تم میں سے ہر ایک کو اپنے ساتھ والے دو فرشتوں سے حیا کرنی چاہیے، جیسا کہ وہ اپنے نیک پڑوسیوں کے دو مردوں سے حیا کرتا ہے (جبکہ) وہ دونوں فرشتے رات دن اس کے ساتھ رہتے ہیں۔ (بیہقی فی شعب الایمان عن ابوہریرہ ؓ)
کنزالعمال 5751
Each one of you should have the feelings of shyness [Haya] from the two angels who are with you, just like you have the feelings of shyness [Haya] from the two men of your pious neighbors (while) those two angels stay with you day and night. (Bayhaqi fi Shub al-Iman on the authority of Abu Huraira)
Kanzal Amaal 5751
Hadith #16 Haya from other Muslims
Feeling Shy from other Muslims can help in protection against doing sins. This is told by Companion Hazrat Mujahid (RA) in the following narration.
حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ إدْرِیسَ ، عَنْ لَیْثٍ ، عَنْ مُجَاہِدٍ ، قَالَ : إنَّ الْمُسْلِمَ لَوْ لَمْ یُصِبْ مِنْ أَخِیہِ إِلاَّ أَنَّ حَیَائَہُ مِنْہُ یَمْنَعُہُ مِنَ الْمَعَاصِی ۔
ابن ابی شیبہ 36599
حضرت مجاہد ؓ فرماتے ہیں بیشک مسلمان اگر اپنے بھائی سے کوئی بھلائی نہ بھی ملے تو یہ بھلائی کافی ہے کہ وہ اس کی حیا کرتے ہوئے گناہ سے بچ جاتا ہے۔ ۔ ابن ابی شیبہ 36599
Hazrat Mujahid (RA) says that even if a Muslim does not receive any good from his brother, this good is enough that he avoids sin by feeling shy[ Haya] from him. [Ibn Abi Shaiba 36599]
Hadith #17 Haya stops a person from taking profit from friends in money matters
The most difficult situation for a person with Haya is to deal with his friends in financial matters. A person with Haya will never take profit from friends and familiar people.
ليس من المروءة الربح على الإخوان. (ابن عساکر عن ابن عمر)
7176 کنزالعمال
حضرت عبدالله بن عمر ؓ فرماتے ہیں کہ بھائیوں سے نفع وصول کرنا مروت کا حصہ نہیں۔
(ابن عساکر عن ابن عمر)
7176 کنزالعمال
Abdullah bin Omar (RA) said that taking profit from brothers (in Islam) is not a part of Maru’a. ( Kanzul Amal 7176)
In fact, if you are not ready to forgive your financial right from familiar people, then you do not possess the quality of Haya
Effects of Haya
- Haya compels a person to stay far away from anything considered to be distasteful, nauseating, or abominable.
- Haya stops a person from complaining, to others, about their actions, even at the cost of personal discomfort.
- Haya stops a person from asking others for help even in extreme need.
- A person with haya only talks about his needs to Allah and never to others.
- Haya produces dignity and compels a person to hide his weaknesses or disappointments in front of others.
- Haya stops from doing any kind of shameless acts.
- Hay stops a person from doing anything that has the slightest chance of making a person look bad in front of others.
- Haya stops a person from doing anything that can break other people’s feeling.
- A person with Haya not only stays away from sin, but stays away from anything that is even close to sin.
- The most difficult thing to do for a person with Haya is asking for own right in money matters . The more familiar is a person, the more difficult it gets to get back one’s own share in money matters.
Due to these feelings of Haya our Dearest Prophet of Allah (SAW) has declared a momin as a simple , humble
Inner thoughts of a person with Haya
Haya develops with mixed feeling of extreme shyness and sensitivity about other people’s feelings.
Such a person always have such kind of thoughts :
- I should not ask anything from other person because if he refuses, then I will get so much embraced.
- I will never ask for anyone’s help except Allah.
- I should try not to “No” to any person as this will be a great disappointment for that person,
- I might look prominent if I do this, so I better avoid doing this ,
- If I don’t show my attention to other person’s speech, then, this might break his heart.
- I will always smile to anyone who looks at me.
- I cannot make profit from friends or family.
- I feel too shy to ask a person who is familiar to me to give me back the money I owe him.
- I pretend not to notice some fault in a person, so he does not get embraced.
Qualities of a person with Haya
Due to Haya the following traits are developed in a person
1-Ready to help
3-Self respect and self reliance
A person with Haya is always extremely shy to ask anything from anyone except Allah. This is because saying “No” to a person with Haya is like throwing a mountain on him. Thus, to avoid the horrifying feelings due to refusal , a person with Haya will never ever ask for anything to anyone (except Allah) . Even if he is in extreme need , his lips will be sealed. This situation can be well understood from the true story of father of famous saint Hazrat Rabia Basri. when Haya stopped him from using his tongue to ask for anything from his neighbor on the night when Hazrat Rabia Basri. was born
Example of father of Rabia Basri
The night when Rabe’a came to earth, there was nothing whatsoever in her father’s house; for her father lived in very poor circumstances. He did not possess even one drop of oil to anoint her navel; there was no lamp, and not a rag to swaddle her in. He already had three daughters, and Rabe’a was his fourth; that is why she was called by that name. “Go to neighbor So-and-so and beg for a drop of oil, so that I can light the lamp,” his wife said to him.
Now the man had entered into a covenant that he would never ask any mortal for anything. So he went out and just laid his hand on the neighbor’s door, and returned.“They will not open the door,” he reported.
The poor woman wept bitterly. In that anxious state the man placed his head on his knees and went to sleep. He dreamed that he saw our dearest Prophet Muhammad (صلي الله عليه وآله وبارك وسلم). “Be not sorrowful,” dear Prophet (صلي الله عليه وآله وبارك وسلم) bade him. “The girl child who has just come to earth is a queen among women, who shall be the intercessor for seventy thousand of my community Tomorrow,” ( Page 30 Tazkira tul Awliya by Fariduddin Attar )
2-Sacrifice
As an example, we already read the story of Dear Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) when he ( صلي الله علي وآله وبارك وسلم) was feeling pain for guests staying for long in his small house on his wedding but even then due to Haya he (صلي الله علي وآله وبارك وسلم) was not asking them to leave [Quran Surah Al-Ahzab 54].
4-Modesty
Due to Haya , a person is always extremely shy from opposite gender. Such a person will feel so much shy for discussing any matter involving opposite gender even if it is halal matter such as marriage or any dicussion involving opposite gender. etc . This shyness is exists even in halal matters, so there is no point discussing how such a person will act with any kind of shameless eact. Of course, a haydar never go close to do any shameless act as this will make him feel so bad and guilty. In fact , a person with haya will feel extremely guilty for doing any sin at all.
3-Generosity
A momin with Haya is generous.Infact he is forced to be generous by strong inner feelings of shyness. He cannot say “NO” to anyone in need. Also he cannot let anyone down for his expectations. These feelings become more intense, if the needy person is known to him. The more is a person familiar ,the more are the feelings of Haya towards that person. him.Things gets more difficult for such momin if someone else owe him some money. At this occasion , the momin will not be able to ask that person to give the money back .It become even more difficult,if the person who lend money from him is a friend or familiar to him. Now this task becomes an impossibile. A momin will never ask his friend to give the money back and if his friend is giving the money back by himself, then the momin will be too reluctant to take the money back.
3-Politness
A person with Haya will always be polite since he will have the constant urge of not hurting the feelings of others
May Allah (Subhanahu wa ta ala) make this post beneficial for all of us. Ameen . (Allahummay Sallay ala Muhammad ew wa ala Ale Muhammad) . You might be interested to read “Duas for Exams” .
