What does haya’ (modesty) mean in Islam?
The short answer
In Islam, haya’ is a quality of the heart that leads a person to leave what is unbecoming and do what is good. The Prophet ﷺ called it a branch of faith: “Faith has sixty-odd branches, and haya’ is a branch of faith” (Bukhari and Muslim). It is a virtue for men and women alike, shown in speech, conduct and dress.
How scholars define haya’
Sheikh ‘Abd al-‘Aziz ibn Baz described it as “a noble quality in the heart that makes a person refrain from what is unbecoming”: it holds back from bad traits and leads to good character.
Haya’ in the authentic hadith
Several authentic hadith speak about it. Translation of meaning:
“Faith has sixty-odd branches, and haya’ is a branch of faith.”
The Prophet ﷺ passed by a man of the Ansar who was admonishing his brother about his modesty, and said: “Leave him, for haya’ is part of faith.”
“Haya’ brings nothing but good.”
A virtue for men and women
The second hadith is about a man whose brother criticised him for being very modest; the Prophet ﷺ made clear that haya’ is part of faith. So haya’ is not reserved for women — it is expected of every Muslim man and woman.
In speech, conduct and dress
Haya’ shows in respectful speech, in lowering the gaze and in how we treat others. It also shows in covering clothing; the Qur’an mentions “the clothing of righteousness” right after the clothing that covers:
“O children of Adam, We have bestowed upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment. But the clothing of righteousness — that is best.”
Haya’ in everyday choices
Day to day, haya’ becomes simple choices: a piece that covers without drawing attention, a comfortable cut that lets you move, in sport and swimming too. The conditions scholars give for clothing are explained in our dedicated article.
Frequently asked questions
Is haya’ only for women?
No. The hadith “Leave him, for haya’ is part of faith” is about a man. Haya’ is a virtue for men and women.
What is the evidence that haya’ is part of faith?
The Prophet’s ﷺ words: “Faith has sixty-odd branches, and haya’ is a branch of faith,” narrated by al-Bukhari (9) and Muslim (35).
Is haya’ related to clothing?
Yes — covering clothing is one expression of it, and the Qur’an mentions “the clothing of righteousness” in Surat Al-A‘raf (verse 26).
Sources
This article is a general introduction; it is not a fatwa.
