HAYA(Modesty) Let Us Safeguard The Priceless ornament of the Modest Society

HAYA(Modesty) Let Us Safeguard The Priceless ornament of the Modest Society GAWAH EXPRESS 25 JULY2023 WHY MYOPICS MISREAD MODESTY IN ISLAM ? Is our society experiencing a moral decline? Headlines of frequent murders, stabbing, sexual offences, waywardness, thefts , deception, fraud, immorality and corruption of all types are frequently seen in the media. What the trend data really reveals, then, is a persistent belief that things are getting worse, reminding us of deteriorating morality in a traditionally modest, God fearing society . While some studies have shown perceptions of a moral decline in connection with a fall in religious belief, evidence on actual attitudes and behaviour doesn’t seem to back exclusively . this religious theory Faith Islam is based on the laws of nature, and provides a system of norms and values, modesty as a code of conduct, to not only live a healthy, productive and peaceful life in this world but also earn the forgiveness, mercy and pleasure of Allah along the way. Believers are encouraged to adopt certain qualities and characteristics so that they are able to cope with the problems of life and conduct their social relations in the best way. The Lord of universe has given the Believers a very high, honorable, dignified and revered position, in which the moral character, virtue, pride and honor of both men and women is invaluable. It is the nature of women to have “hayaa”.Haya itself is derived from the word hayaat which means life. The closest word In English has been modesty, but shyness, self-respect, bashfulness, honor, freedom from vanity. Terming obscenity as indecent representation of people not only in their attire but behaviour,character and lifestyle also encompasses the broad meaning .Morality have been also used interchangeably for Haya too .Modesty involves decency and moderation in speech, manners, and total attitude and behaviour towards life, elders, especially female folk.Modesty isn't only for women as many people have the misconception is for both male and females. The sphere of modesty in faith Islam is so vast that it encompasses all aspects of human life. Modesty is a virtue the Prophet Muhammad (saw) was keen to stress,"Al-hayaa laa ha'tiy illa bikhairin""Modesty brings nothing but good." (Muslim & Bukhari). Indeed modesty is a universally acclaimed virtue, with most religions and traditions praising it. However, liberal societies sometimes try to cast an air of disapproval on modesty, picturing it as a weakness that inhibits a person from claiming what is due to him or her. In our secular, diversified beliefs and emancipated society, some people seem to have difficulty in seeing the significance and relevance of various norms and values, like chastity and modesty as is prescribed in faith islam sadly terms them antiquated and impractical. The weak souls, especially womenfolk, fall easy prey to advertisements which in a decent modest society are nude and explosive using that easily influence the weak mind unknowingly and start following the deviated path and happily entering the spider’s web. Often we see people dressed in clothes that are equivalent to being undressed. We see seduction in clothing, now the irony is our young boys have started falling prey to such immodest attires.Do we want our youngsters to fall prey to the race of immodesty .The answer would be a loud ` NO ’. Present day Enlightened modernists’ influence by the twilight of liberal culture sometimes slam our modest culture. Let alone having a slight effect upon youth, particularly girls , the caller to haya is considered backward and unprogressive. This is partly due to a lack of understanding of modesty, but mostly it is due to the lack of proper comprehension of the overall objective of haya ,and the philosophy of religious teachings,as is followed in different faiths and also partly due to vicious impressions in the name of “womens lib”made by the some liberalists thereby risking the dignity and honor that modest society has bestowed upon her. The greatest misunderstanding about Haya is when it is used interchangeably for Hijab. Wearing a head covering called a head scarf or a loose cloth over the body by many females following faith Islam always leads to interesting discussions and preconceptions ,preconceived misinterpretations about What actually is HIJab? -a piece of cloth- or lifestyle beyond attire , many people confuse between " Haya" and Hijab , two terms are used interchangeably which in actual terms does not convey exactly the same thing or lifestyle behaviours. Practically both have a lot of differences in their reaction and meanings under certain situations. Dress is a choice not a forcible attire, not many of us agree on whether wearing particular attire(Hijab) is an individual’s choice or a divine order,though Quran in chapter Ahzab states about it but it has to be very clear none is allowed to force it on individuals who don't adopt it , or should not cross the lines of decency, or law of the land in recommending or educating about it . Actually ,the point I want to remove misconception that if a Muslim female who wears the particular dress style (syn; hijab) as an individual's choice has not proved an obstacle to success or profession or passion , meet the women in a hijab making history like Tawakkol Karman, nobel laureate a Yemeni journalist,Rafia Arshad -The UK's first hijab-wearing judge, Zeena Ali is New Zealand Police’s first member to wear a specially designed hijab as part of her uniform. A news correspondent for Channel 4 News, Fatima Manji is the first hijabi news presenter in Britain. Bilqis is the first hijabi player in NCAA Division I basketball, Wilda Siti Nurfadhilah is an Indonesian volleyball player. Currently, plays for Bandung BJB Tandamata and is a member of the Indonesia women's national volleyball team and look at Shagufta Khalidi the editor of widely circulated newspaper Gawah express, is successful in a competitive media with her particular modest attire .The list goes on and on. Unheeded, how much is too much in a modest society, Is there any regulation on that? When a woman's outfit is too revealing the deviant trends and surroundings of exposing too much have so hypnotized some of the tender souls that she would follow it even if it leads her to the snake’s snare, sadly many fall prey to such immoral appeals .Modesty(Haya) and faith are interlinked: if either of them is lacking, the other is lacking too. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "Every religion has its special characteristics: the characteristic of faith Islam is modesty, and following modesty in lifestyle leads to Paradise.” The Prophet even says that modesty is highlighted by earlier prophets as a virtue to be sought: “Among the words people received from early prophets are: if you feel no shame, then do as you wish.” (Related by Al-Bukhari, and others). Following the virtue of modesty helps us to keep the selfish tendency down and to stress the brotherhood of all believers. It is modesty that makes a person feel ashamed when he/she does something wrong. Hence a person who has no sense of shame is not affected by people’s reaction to whatever he/she might indulge in. Modern society and technology offer many conveniences, but they also entice the weak and the vulnerable to easily fall for bad company and risky temptations. They can inconspicuously pull the careless to uncharted waters. Modesty is a strong moral deterrent against all evil inclinations and prevents human beings from indulging in indecency and obscenity. If one commits sin under pressure of animal instinct or evil whispers of devils , it is modesty which makes them feel the pangs of conscience. Modesty is dignity, grace and adornment of a believer, given by the All-Wise Beneficent Allah (SWT), for the benefit not restricted to Muslims only but for all humankind. If we lack modesty, desires will lay complete hold of us, and we will not hesitate to indulge into any sin. I wonder, Are the principles of a civilized and modern society shedding clothes and seduction? While living in this so-called free society,with diversified cultures,beliefs and faiths the standards of discipline,moral character and modesty face a lot of challenges, and society can easily be corrupted on moral grounds altogether, if we don't bring HAya or modesty in our lifestyles. We need to continually remind ourselves about the pivotal role chastity plays in our daily lives and how at risk we are if we are not diligent in guarding our chastity. One of the signs of -Qiyamah is “haya”,will go away from society, so before the boat drowns totally ; Hold on tightly to the rope of Allah and that is the Holy Books of faiths which you follow.In faith Islam we follow Book of Allah (SWT) and the Sunnah of the messenger of Allah (saw.)That’s your shield against all evils. Be proud of your faith , your religion is the sole Truth. Let us guard our chastity,behaviors let not HAYa- modesty go away from our traditionally God Fearing society , we need to evaluate the conveniences of liberalism and try to differentiate it from modernism carefully, avail them responsibly, and protect ourselves especially the youth from their risks Let us apply these steps of self-purification to preserve chastity, and reinforce “modesty ” (in our day to day life. First, let me be honest with myself and take stock of my lifestyle. Author besides being a Doctor and is very active in positive perception management of various moral and social issues. He can be reached at drfiazfazili@gmail.com & twitter @drfiazfazili) -- --