When we look into the Sunnah of our Messenger( SAS) we see many instances where he tells us about having Hayaa and even how the Sahabahs used to have Hayaa – both the males and females alike. For instance, once, the Prophet( SAS) had mentioned to the Ansar who was condemning his brother about being shy:
“ Leave him, for Haya is( a part) of Faith.” [ Sahih Al Bukhari ] Also our Mother, Aisha( RA) narrated:“ I used to enter my house where Allah’ s Messenger( SAS) was and take off my garment, saying that only my husband and my father were there; but when Umar was buried along with them, I swear by Allah that I did not enter it without having my clothes wrapped round me owing to modesty regarding Umar.” [ Sunan At- Tirmidhi ]
Another beautiful characteristic of having Hayaa is that our Messenger Muhammad( SAS) said that;
“ Hayaa does not bring anything except good.” [ Sahih Al Bukhari ]
Subhanallah! How perfect is this command from Allah to have Hayaa? Simply being modest brings us reward, and causes us to attain goodness, once it is done for the pleasure of Allah( AWJ) and not for showing off and to receive praise from others around us. Having Hayaa will bring about goodness for us outwardly and inwardly, thereby making us contented with our lives as a whole. When we have this Hayaa, outwardly our bodies are covered and protected from the evil glances of the opposite sex; it protects our eyes from seeing evil, our ears from hearing evil and our limbs and tongues from going towards and speaking evil. Inwardly,
General
Hayaa will help us to cleanse our hearts from the filth that causes the blackening and hardening of the heart through sins which we deem‘ small and insignificant’; for these‘ small’ sins we will even become too shy to commit in front of Allah( AWJ).
So beautiful this trait called Hayaa is that it plays a major role in helping us to mould ourselves, cleanse ourselves and beautify ourselves into being the best person we were made to be – the person Allah( AWJ) knows we are all capable of being as true believers, if we follow his commands and follow the Sunnah of His beloved Messenger, Muhammad( SAS)
WRITTEN by. ROCHELLE FLORES
Ihsaan | Issue 1 | 15