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Q&A · General

Why is modesty (haya) so important in Islam?

Modesty (haya) is described by the Prophet (peace be upon him) as a branch of faith, for he said, 'Faith has seventy-odd branches, and haya is a branch of faith.' He also said, 'Haya does not bring anything except good,' meaning genuine modesty always yields benefit and restrains a person from shameful conduct. He further transmitted the saying of the earlier prophets, 'If you feel no shame, then do as you wish,' indicating that when modesty is lost, nothing holds a person back from sin. Haya covers both shyness before people in matters of decency and, most importantly, shame before Allah that stops one from disobeying Him.

Evidence — the daleel
Sahih al-Bukhari 9 ṢaḥīḥSahih Muslim 37 ṢaḥīḥSahih al-Bukhari 3483 Ṣaḥīḥ
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Informational, not a personal fatwa. Consult a qualified scholar for rulings on your situation.

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