Allaah loves Hayaa. We know this by the following hadeeth:
"Surely Allaah (is One who) has hayaa and is the Protector. He loves hayaa and people who cover each others faults." [Bukhaaree]
Hayaa itself is a Greatness of Islaam as our Prophet (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) indicated:
"Every way of life has a innate character. The character of Islaam is hayaa." Or "Every deen has an innate character. The character of Islaam is modesty (hayaa)." [Abu Daawood]
Hayaa only brings good and nothing else. Our Prophet (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) said:
"Hayaa does not bring anything except good." [Bukhaaree]
Hayaa is a very clear indication of our eeman. As the Prophet (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) had mentioned to the Ansar who was condemning is brother about being shy:
"Leave him, for Hayaa is (a part) of Faith." [Bukhaaree]
Last but not least, Hayaa leads us to PARADISE. As the Prophet (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) told us:
"Hayaa comes from eeman; eeman leads to Paradise. Obscenity comes from antipathy; and antipathy leads to the fire." [Bukhaaree]
The actual word Hayaa is derived from Hayaat. This means life. It is only obvious that when someone has Hayaa in them, they will LIVE a life of Islaam. On the other hand if they do not have Hayaa they are living a life that is Dead "Islaamically" but alive according to this dunya.
The Prophet (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) said:
"Hayaa and Trustworthiness will be the first to go from this world; therefore keep asking Allaah for them." [Bayhaaqee]
In conclusion to this essay we must understand that Hayaa is important for both men and women. Men are to control themselves by getting married as young as possible or if they cannot afford that they should fast.
Women are told to conceal themselves so that the men will not be over taken by the whispers of shaitaan and will not disrespect or take advantage of the women. There are many verses in the Qur'aan that have clearly explained how we have to behave and Allaah is All-Knowing therefore He knew that we would face these problems living in this society, and that is no excuse to change Islaam and only practice what we feel is right. Allaah has told men how to guide their modesty and has told women how to guide their modesty. If either one of them refuse to follow the commandment of their Lord, may Allaah have mercy on them and may He guide them to the straight path.
"Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allaah 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..." [Soorah an-Noor (24):30-31]
