Hayaa’ is a part of faith ||| Hayaa’ in the friends we choose

Abu Hurairah (Raji.) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:

“Faith or belief consists of more than sixty branches or parts, and Hayaa’ is a part of faith”.

There is no true English definition of the word ‘Hayaa’’ but the closest one can get to it is shame, modesty, and bashfulness. Hayaa’ is an essential characteristic of a Muslim; it must be obtained in order to attain faith as they come together as a pair:

Abdullah ibn Umar (Raji.) narrated that 

the Prophet ﷺ said: 

“Indeed Hayaa’ and Iman are companions. When one of them is lifted, the other leaves as well.”

Hayaa’ in the friends we choose

It makes sense that a person with Hayaa’ and is a God-fearing moral human will choose to be around people of good faith and character as it is with these people they will feel most at peace. Companions that behave in a way that is improper will undoubtedly bring about discomfort to this person and so they will distance themselves from such a group.

Similarly, one that has Hayaa’ will not be able to feel at ease around those who are Non-Mahram for them because it is wrong to be friendly with the opposite gender and so a sign of modesty is having nothing more than a professional and polite relationship with all those who are Non-Mahram to us.

Friends can also shape the way we develop as Muslims as they will be the ones that we spend a lot of our time with, If they have good habits, we will also pick up good habits, but if they have bad habits, we will also pick up those bad habits. And so it is imperative we choose our friends wisely. 

 The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “Man is influenced by the faith of his friends. Therefore, be careful of whom you associate with.” 

Therefore one needs to ask him/herself if his/her friends reflect qualities of the Sahabah and thus of Hayaa’: piety, love, mercy, honesty, patience and decency.

Author / Aamir Shamsi
Emergency Medicine Doctor in London