Haya ( ar, حياء, Hayāʾ, roughly corresponding to: ''bashfulness'', ''decency'', ''modesty'', ''shyness'') is an
Arabic
Arabic (, ' ; , ' or ) is a Semitic languages, Semitic language spoken primarily across the Arab world.Semitic languages: an international handbook / edited by Stefan Weninger; in collaboration with Geoffrey Khan, Michael P. Streck, Janet C ...
word that means "natural or inherent,
shyness
Shyness (also called diffidence) is the feeling of apprehension, lack of comfort, or awkwardness especially when a person is around other people. This commonly occurs in new situations or with unfamiliar people; a shy person may simply opt t ...
and a sense of
modesty
Modesty, sometimes known as demureness, is a mode of dress and deportment which intends to avoid the encouraging of sexual attraction in others. The word "modesty" comes from the Latin word ''wikt:modestus, modestus'' which means "keeping within ...
".
In
Islamic terminology
The following list consists of notable concepts that are derived from Islamic and associated cultural (Arab, Persian, Turkish) traditions, which are expressed as words in Arabic or Persian language. The main purpose of this list is to disambi ...
,
it is mainly used in the context of modesty. The word itself is derived from the word ''Hayat,'' which means "life". The original meaning of Haya refers to "a bad or uneasy feeling accompanied by embarrassment". Haya encourages
Muslim
Muslims ( ar, المسلمون, , ) are people who adhere to Islam, a monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God of Abrah ...
s to avoid anything considered to be distasteful or abominable.
Haya plays an important role in Islam, as it is one of the most important parts of
Iman
Iman, Imann, Imaan, Eman, Emaan, or Imman may refer to:
Places
* Iman, Iran, a village in Kalashi District, Kermanshah Province
* The Iman River, the former name of the Bolshaya Ussurka River, a tributary of the Ussuri River in Russia's Primors ...
.
The antonym of Haya in Arabic is ''badha'a'' (, immodesty) or ''
fahisha
Fahisha or Fahash ( ar, فُحْش, الفاحشة, فاحشة) is an Arabic word, commonly means lewdness and indecency.
Terminology
According to Islamic scholars, there are two opinions about the meaning of Fahisha:
*Either it is fornication ...
'' (, lewdness or obscenity).
Importance
Haya is important for
Muslim
Muslims ( ar, المسلمون, , ) are people who adhere to Islam, a monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God of Abrah ...
s and in Islamic cultures—for both men and women. In the Qur'an, verses explain how men and women should behave. According to the values of Haya, a man must control himself by marrying as young as feasible. If a man cannot afford to marry, then he should fast, in order for him not to be overtaken by his desires and the whispers of
Shaytan
' (; ''devils'' or ''demons''), singular: (شَيْطَان) are evil spirits in Islam, inciting humans (and jinn) to sin by "whispering" (وَسْوَسَة, “waswasah”) to their hearts (قَلْب ''qalb''). Folklore suggests that they a ...
. The values of Haya dictate that women must conceal themselves as well.
Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty...
:— Quran 24:30–31
In Scripture
In the Qur'an
The
Qur'an
The Quran (, ; Standard Arabic: , Quranic Arabic: , , 'the recitation'), also romanized Qur'an or Koran, is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a revelation from God. It is organized in 114 chapters (pl.: , sing. ...
mentions Haya twice:
In the Ahadith
Haya is mentioned often in
hadith
Ḥadīth ( or ; ar, حديث, , , , , , , literally "talk" or "discourse") or Athar ( ar, أثر, , literally "remnant"/"effect") refers to what the majority of Muslims believe to be a record of the words, actions, and the silent approval ...
passages, where the word is used to express
shyness
Shyness (also called diffidence) is the feeling of apprehension, lack of comfort, or awkwardness especially when a person is around other people. This commonly occurs in new situations or with unfamiliar people; a shy person may simply opt t ...
, modesty, and
decency
Respect, also called esteem, is a positive feeling or action shown towards someone or something considered important or held in high esteem or regard. It conveys a sense of admiration for good or valuable qualities. It is also the process of ...
.
See also
*
Islamic clothing
Islamic clothing is clothing that is interpreted as being in accordance with the teachings of Islam. Muslims wear a wide variety of clothing, which is influenced not only by religious considerations, but also by practical, cultural, social, and ...
References
{{Islam topics
Modesty in Islam
Arabic words and phrases in Sharia
Islamic terminology
Hadith
Sharia legal terminology