Page 21 - Issue 23

The Islamic Bulletin Volume X No. 23 Page 21
At Madinah, Umm Ayman contributed her full part in the affairs
of the Muslims. At Uhud she distributed water to the thirsty and
tended the wounded. She accompanied the Prophet (SAW) on
some expeditions, to Khaybar and Hunayn for example.
Barakah’s son, Ayman, a devoted companion of the Prophet
(SAW) was martyred at Hunayn in the eighth year after the
Hijrah. Also, her husband, Zayd, was killed at the Battle of
Mutah in Syria after a lifetime of distinguished service to the
Prophet (SAW) and Islam. Barakah at this time was about
seventy years old and spent much of her time at home. The
Prophet (SAW), accompanied by Abu Bakr and Umar often
visited her and asked: “Ya Ummi! Are you well?” and she would
reply: “I am well, O Messenger of Allah, so long as Islam is.”
After the Prophet (SAW), may Allah bless him and grant him
peace, had died, Barakah would often be found with tears in her
eyes. She was once asked, “Why are you crying?” and she
replied: “By Allah, I knew that the Messenger of Allah would die
but I cry now because the revelation from on high has come to
an end for us.”
Barakah was unique in that she was the only one who was so
close to the Prophet (SAW) throughout his life, from birth till
death. Her life was one of selfless service in the Prophet
(SAW)’s household. She remained deeply devoted to the gentle
and caring Prophet (SAW). Above all, her devotion to the religion
of Islam was strong and unshakable. She died during the
caliphate of Uthman. Although her roots were unknown, her
place in Paradise is assured.
Haya is an Arabic word derived
from the word hayat, which
means life. This term covers a
wide number of concepts. In
English, it may be translated as
modesty, shyness, self-respect,
bashfulness, shame, honor,
humility, etc. The original
meaning of haya refers to a bad
and uneasy feeling
accompanied by
embarrassment, caused by one’s
fear of being exposed for some
unworthy or indecent conduct.
Islamically, haya is an attribute which encourages believers to avoid
anything distasteful. It keeps them from being neglectful in giving
others what is due upon them, and if for any reason they are not
able to keep up with their commitments, then they will feel
extremely uncomfortable and ashamed about this. The main reason
for this uncomfortable feeling would be the knowledge that they had
displeased Allah.
Haya plays a huge role in the lives of Muslims because it is a very
important part of our Iman (faith/belief). If we do not have any form
of haya within us then it is most likely that our Iman is very weak. It
states in the following hadith:
Narrated by Abu Huraira (ra): The Prophet (SAW) said, “Faith (Belief)
consists of more than sixty branches (i.e. parts). And Haya is a part of
faith.” (Bukhari)
We also learn from the Prophet (saw) the importance of having haya
and how it is not something to be ashamed of, but instead, one should
be concerned and embarrassed if they do not possess it within their
character.
Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar (ra): The Prophet (saw) passed by a man
who was admonishing his brother regarding Haya and was saying,
“You are very shy, and I am afraid that might harm you.” On that,
Allah’s Apostle (SAW) said, “Leave him, for Haya is (a part) of Faith.”
(Bukhari)
The above hadith is also a form of proof that “shyness” is not just
something regarding women but also an attribute that believing men
should have, for it is an indication of their fear of Allah and an
indication of the value of their Deen.
We often find that shyness, humility and bashfulness are frowned
upon by our society as a weakness or a lack of confidence when, in
fact, these are qualities of a dignified upright human being, who is
conscious of his actions and his responsibilities in life.
There are two different types of haya—the good haya and the bad.
The good haya is to be ashamed to commit a sin or a thing which
Allah and His Messenger (saw) has forbidden. The bad haya is to feel
ashamed to do a thing which Allah and His Messenger (saw) has
ordered us to do.
There are different types of good haya. For example, a believer should
build his personality and character with the good dimensions of haya.
The most important is that he must be shy of doing ANYTHING
displeasing to Allah (SWT) with the belief that he will have to answer
for all his deeds. If one develops a sense such as this one, it will help
the believer to obey all of Allah’s commandments and to stay away
from sins.
Once the believer realizes that Allah (SWT) is watching us all the time
and we will have to answer to every move we make in this dunya
(world), he would not neglect any order from Allah or His Messenger
(saws). So the stronger this sense of haya becomes, the more it
motivates one to make sure that Allah (SWT) doesn’t see him doing
anything prohibited. The way to develop this haya is that one must
keep learning and absorbing more knowledge and applying it to his
life. Another type of haya is more of a social aspect concerning others
besides Allah (SWT). Normally these things often come in regard with
one’s relationship with family. For instance, a child not wanting to do
something displeasing to his mother, or a wife not wanting to do
something displeasing to her husband, or even a student who is careful
about saying something incorrect in front of his teacher are all forms of
haya.
Last but not least is the type of haya in which the believers become shy
of themselves. This is when they have reached the peak of their Iman.
For example, if they do, say, or see anything wrong or even commit
the tiniest sin, they start to feel extremely bad and embarrassed or they
feel extreme guilt in their hearts. This builds a high degree of self-
consciousness and that is what strengthens a Muslim’s commitment to
Allah (SWT).
After discussing the various types of “beneficial” haya, it is time to
discuss the type of haya which is not only against the teachings of our
HAYA (SHYNESS )