Major Principles in Islam: Haya (modesty)
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Major Principles in Islam: Haya (modesty)

What is haya? One of the main principles of Islam is al-haya.  Al-haya is an Arabic term, which has three different translations in English.  One is shyness, and we refer to someone shy as hayee. This is one translation.  The other translation is modesty, depending on the context, as the translation of the word depends…

How haya is a stepping stone to imaan and ihsan

How haya is a stepping stone to imaan and ihsan

Al haya has been translated in English as shame, bashfulness, and shyness. Abu Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: عن أبي مسعود عقبة قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِنَّ مِمَّا أَدْرَكَ النَّاسُ مِنْ كَلَامِ النُّبُوَّةِ إِذَا لَمْ تَسْتَحْيِ فَافْعَلْ مَا شِئْتَ  ‘Verily, among…

Modesty or being shy of doing something wrong

Modesty or being shy of doing something wrong

Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) said that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: الحياء من الإيمان ‘Modesty is part of Faith.’ [Bukhari and Muslim] In Arabic this is just three words, but this is a very comprehensive hadith. Haya is modesty. Modesty/Haya’ Haya as the Prophet (peace be…