We Need To Talk... About Porn!

A Concept of Intangible Self

We Need To Talk... About Porn!

We need to talk about pornography. Wait, don't go. This is important.

You see, pornography affects all of us. It's not a question of if you get exposed, but when.

So what, right? Some people say it's not a big deal. They're wrong.

Viewing pornography changes your brain. That's right, it actually CHANGES YOUR BRAIN.

When you see pornography your brain is over-exposed with chemicals,
the same chemicals that are released with hard drugs.

They make you come back for more. Overtime your brain starts to rewire itself.

And it doesn't take long until you crave it. You have to see more.

You're addicted. And that ADDICTION takes over your life.

It takes you away from your friends, your family, everything you love.

Addiction doesn't care who you are. It doesn't think about your future.

It just wants to be satisfied. But it never is!

Now we know what you're thinking, "It won't happen to me."

Maybe you're right, but what if you're wrong? Why take a chance?

Get the facts about pornography

Fight the New Drug

DEFINITION OF ATHEISTS AND DEISTS - DA‘WAH TO ATHEISTIS

DA’WAH TO THE ATHEISTS AND DEISTS

Atheist is one who believes that there is no God. A little philosophy inclineth men’s minds to atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men’s minds to religion – Bacon

By night an atheist half believes a God – Young (Webster’s, p. 118)

Deism.

1.        The belief that God exists and created the world but thereafter assumed no control over it or the lives of people.

2.      In philosophy, the belief that reason is sufficient to prove the existence of God, with the consequent rejection of revelation and authority. (Webster’s, p. 479)

Agnostic.

1.        One who thinks it is impossible to know whether there is a God or a future life, or anything beyond material phenomena. The name was suggested by Huxley in 1869.

2.      Agnosticism. In theology, the doctrine that God is unknown and unknowable.

3.       In philosophy, the doctrine that a first cause and the essential nature of things are unknowable to man.

By agnosticism, I understand a theory of things which abstains from either affirming or denying the existence of God; all it undertakes to affirm is that, upon existing evidence, the being of God is unknown. – G. J. Romanes (Webster’s, p. 37)

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to be continued....

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Top 10 excuses Muslims give for not doing Dawah

Top 10 excuses Muslims give for not doing Dawah

 

By

Yahya Ahmed

This article is especially for those Muslims who are living in non-Muslim countries. In General, it is for all those who have any contact with non-Muslims. 

Definition of Dawah and Islaah:

Da’wah means a ‘call’ or ‘invitation’; which means to invite non-Muslims to Islam as well as the Muslims to the true understanding and practice of Islam, but many a times, in context, it refers to the invitation of Islam extended to those who are yet to believe in or accept Islam.

‘Islaah’ literally means ‘to repair’ or ‘to improve’. In an Islamic context, it refers to efforts to improve Muslims or to correct them.

Difference between Dawah and Islah:

Dawah in Arabic actually means an invitation and an invitation can only be given to an out sider. And in Islamic terminology, Dawah ul Islam means an invitation to Islam. When we speak about Islam to a non Muslim inviting to Islam it's called Dawah.

Many people even think when we speak about Islam to Muslim it's called Dawah and they use this term Dawah for both types of talk. Basically when we speak about Islam to a Muslim calling him closer or letting him know more about Islam the more appropriate word is Islah,

1. I do not have enough knowledge to do Dawah

This is one of the most common excuses given for not doing Dawah. The Prophet (pbuh) said

“Convey (my teachings) to the people even if it were a single sentence” (Sahih Bukhari, Vol.4, Hadith 667)

In those days, times were different. The access to knowledge was difficult. They did not have the media, there were no books written at that time on Islam. Today the times have changed and access to knowledge has become very easy. There are countless number of books written by Muslims. There are so many websites available. There are so many videos available. Every Muslim at least knows one verse, but you can do the job more efficiently if you master on one topic initially to simply begin. Lets say a topic like “Is Jesus God?” or “Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in the Bible” or other religious scriptures or some other topic depending upon the person with whom you are doing Dawah. If you are interested, you can do it very easily its no big deal. All the material you can get for doing Dawah on this site. Or you can browse through the Islamic links section to find out more.

http://www.answering-christianity.com/links.htm

2. My own deeds are not too good, how can I do Dawah with others?

This is a nice statement to hear. This shows that how humble a Muslim is.

For those Muslims, who are not very good Muslims, doing Dawah will surely help you become better practicing Muslims. When you share something with others, you have the inclination to practice it yourself.

Your deeds are not really bad. The Christian missionaries who come to missionize the Muslims and people from other faith, they drink alcohol. Do you drink alcohol? No ! So who is better, Are they better or you? They gamble. Do you gamble? No! So who is better, are they better or you? They are promiscuous. Are you promiscuous? No! So who is better, are they better or you?

When they can do the job, what is wrong with you? They have the falsehood with them. You have the Truth of Islam with you. So why can’t you do the job? The non-Muslims today want to know about Islam especially after September 11, 2001. The situation has turned in favor of Islam. So do not miss the wonderful opportunity that you have.

Note: When I say about missionaries, I do not mean all of them but many of them do indulge in such things. Generally, Muslims are more moral than the missionaries especially those who come from the West.

3. First we should make our own Muslims better Muslims, then we should do Dawah

This is one of the most common excuse given by Muslims who live in Muslim countries. Making Muslim, a better Muslim is called “Islah”. It is important to make a Muslim a better Muslim, if he is not of the right track. Converting people is not in your hand. I know of  “Muslims” who will not practice Islam even after you bring countless evidence and proofs to them. So you mean are you going to stick to them only and not move forward? Your job is to deliver the message to others. The Quran says

“Therefore do thou give admonition, for thou art one to admonish. Thou art not one to manage (men's) affairs. But if any turn away and reject Allah,-  Allah will punish him with a mighty Punishment, “ (Quran 88:21-24)

Dawah and Islah both are important at the same time. In Medina, at the time of the Prophet (pbuh) there were Muslims who did not use to come to the compulsory Prayers and the Prophet said “I feel like setting their houses on fire”

Even in Medina, there were such Muslims who were not good practicing Muslims. The Prophet (pbuh) did not say that I’ll just make them good Muslims and stick to them only. Yet he wrote letters to other non-Muslim kings, asking them to embrace Islam.

If you say that, first I will make Muslims better Muslims and then invite non-Muslims. That time will never come. That time will not come in your entire life, nor will it come even in your next ten generations.

I am not saying that you should only do Dawah. Dawah and Islah both are important. But if you have less time than Dawah is MORE important because the non-Muslims are involved in the sin of shirk i.e associating partners with Allah. This is the most henious of sins. The Quran says

 “Allah forgiveth not that partners should be set up with Him; but He forgiveth anything else, to whom He pleaseth; to set up partners with Allah is to devise a sin Most heinous indeed.” (Quran 4:48)

So if you see a person who is involved in such a sin. He is going to hell for sure. If you are not going to stop that sin, then he’ll surely go to hell. So doing Dawah is a compulsory duty upon every Muslim and is very important task.

4. My Dawah will not be affective.

As I mentioned, our job is not to convert people. Our job is to deliver the message of Allah. It is he who gives guidance. The  Quran says :

“Therefore do thou give admonition, for thou art one to admonish. Thou art not one to manage (men's) affairs.” (Quran 88:21-22)

Allah (SWT) will not question you on the day of judgment whether they became Muslims or not. But he will question whether you delivered the message or not.

5. Doesn’t the Quran say “There is no compulsion in religion”

The Quran does say so. But it’s not right to quote the verse in bits and pieces. The verse reads

“Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error:” (Quran 2:256)

Your job is to deliver the message with wisdom and beautiful preaching. (Quran 16:125). Your job is not to convert people. A Muslim CANNOT force anyone to embrace Islam.  You are supposed to deliver the Truth of Islam. The rest is up to them whether they accept or not.

6. Doesn’t the Quran say “To you is your religion, to me is mine”

Again, it’s the quotation out of context. Let’s read this verse in context.

 1. Say : O ye that reject Faith!
2. I worship not that which ye worship,
3. Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
4. And I will not worship that which ye have been wont to worship,
5. Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
6. To you be your Way, and to me mine. (Quran 109:1-6)
The Question of rejecting faith only arises when you present the faith in Islam to them. Your job is to deliver the message to them. If they don’t want to accept. As a last, resort its “To you be your Way, and to me mine.” Suppose if I see a Hindu doing idol worship. I’ll try to convince him that it is wrong even according to the Hindu Scriptures such as Bhagvad Geeta 7:19-23 etc. But yet he wants to do. “To you be your Way, and to me mine”
So this is as a last resort NOT the first.

7. When we do Dawah, the non-Muslim says “mind your own business”

This is another common excuse given by the Muslims. The reply is, it is the business of every Muslim to mind other people’s business where faith is concerned. Dawah is a compulsory duty of every Muslim. Therefore, when the person says, “mind your own business” He is right, that is what you are doing. You are minding your own business only.

8. The person gets hurt if I do Dawah, it affects the friendship, and I do not want to hurt anybody.

The Question arises, does it hurt you when you see your friend or anyone doing blasphemy? Don’t you realize that these people are going to hell?

Doesn’t it hurt you when they say that God has a son? The Quran says:

88. They say: "((Allah)) Most Gracious has begotten a son!"
89. Indeed ye have put forth a thing most monstrous!
90. At it the skies are ready to burst, the earth to split asunder, and the mountains to fall down in utter ruin,
91. That they should invoke a son for ((Allah)) Most Gracious.
92. For it is not consonant with the majesty of ((Allah)) Most Gracious that He should beget a son.  (Quran 19:88-92)
Doesn’t it hurt you when they give the worst swearing to Allah (SWT)?  The Quran says that if the mountains had feelings and emotions like you and I have, they would fall in utter ruin, the earth will split asunder, the skies will burst. But what is happening to you? All you need to do is open your mouth.
Furthermore, it is a misconception that doing Dawah will break your friendship. The point is how your approach is. How good you are in your speech. How logical you are in your approach. If you start insulting his religion, that can make a difference but if you do it with wisdom and beautiful preaching inshallah you will not hurt anyone and your friendship to Allah should be much more important than the friendship to your non-Muslim friend. It is Our duty to remove the misconceptions about Islam and present the correct picture of Islam.
To conclude, it all depends upon how strong your Eeman (faith) is.

9.      It will create provocation among the non-Muslims

Provocation is likely to be created if a person is a hater of Islam. Is this the reason that should stop you from spreading the message of Almighty Allah?
Provocation is not the test. If this was the test, then our Beloved Prophet (pbuh) was a failure (Naoozobillah). The pagan leaders, who loved him before, became his worst enemies. Did it make him stop from what Allah had commanded him?
So provocation will be created among those non-Muslims who are haters of Islam, that should in no means bother, instead you should remain steadfast and practice what Allah (SWT) has commanded.

10. If Every Muslim becomes a Daee, then who will take other professions like Doctors, lawyers, engineers etc?

Doing Dawah is a compulsory duty of every Muslim. In the Glorious Quran, Allah (SWT) speaks about full time Daees. The Quran says :
“Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: They are the ones to attain felicity.” (Quran 3:104)
Today it is a dire need of the Muslim Ummah. We have very few people who are full time Daees.
I am not saying that every Muslim should become full time Daee, but every Muslim can do part time Dawah e.g with your colleagues who you meet everyday in the office, with your friends who you meet in the school and university. While traveling, if you meet a non-Muslim or you can do Islah with those Muslims you meet, who are not good practicing ones. You can do it using media such as computer, internet etc. You can do it in many ways.
The Glorious Quran says
“Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious:” (Quran 16:125)
May Allah (SWT) make your efforts successful!  Ameen !

Prophet

An apostle, from Classical Greek ἀπόστολος (apóstolos), meaning "one who is sent away",^[1] is a messenger and ambassador. The purpose of such "sending away" is to convey messages, and thus "messenger" is a common alternative translation.

Punishments for neglecting jihad for the sake of Allaah

The command to wage jihad for the sake of Allaah, and the warning against neglecting jihad, appear in many verses of the Qur’aan and ahaadeeth.

If the Muslims neglect jihad for the sake of Allaah, and prefer a life of ease, and focus only on this world, they will face humiliation and scorn, and all their affairs will be corrupted. They expose themselves to the wrath and anger of Allaah, and they expose Islam to loss and defeat at the hands of kufr. Hence neglecting jihad is a major sin.

Ibn Hajar said in al-Zawaajir: 

The 390th, 391st and 392nd major sins are neglecting jihad when it becomes an obligation, which is when aggressors enter the Muslim land or when they seize a Muslim, and it is possible to rescue him from them and the people neglect jihad altogether and when the people in a region neglect to fortify their borders so that there is a risk of the kuffaar overrunning them because of that.” end quote.

Hence it was well known and well established among the Sahaabah that no one refrains from taking part in jihad when it becomes fard ‘ayn (an individual obligation) except one who is weak and is therefore excused or one who is a hypocrite.  This is what was narrated by Ka’b ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) when he stayed behind from the campaign of Tabook: “When I came out to the people after the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had gone out, I went around among them and was distressed to see no one except a man who was known to be a hypocrite or weak men whom Allaah had excused.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4066; Muslim, 4973.

The evidence also states some of the punishments that result from that. For example: 

1 – Neglecting jihad leads to doom in this world and in the Hereafter. 

In this world the craven coward is humiliated and enslaved, he is a follower, not a leader. In the Hereafter, neglecting jihad will be a cause of Allaah's punishment. 

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“And spend in the Cause of Allaah (i.e. Jihad of all kinds) and do not throw yourselves into destruction (by not spending your wealth in the Cause of Allaah), and do good. Truly, Allaah loves Al-Muhsinoon (the good-doers”
[al-Baqarah 2:195]

al-Tirmidhi (2972) narrated that Aslam Abu ‘Imraan said: We were in the city of the Byzantines (i.e., Constantinople) and a great troop of the Byzantines  came out to us. One of the Muslim men attacked the Byzantine ranks until he penetrated them, and the people shouted and said “Subhaan-Allaah, he has thrown himself into destruction.” Abu Ayyoob al-Ansaari stood up and said: “O people, you misinterpret this verse in this way; rather this verse was revealed concerning us, the Ansaar. When Allaah caused Islam to prevail and its supporters increased, we said to one another in secret, without speaking to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): ‘Our wealth is neglected. Allaah has caused Islam to prevail and its supporters have increased. Why don’t we stay with our property and improve it?’ Then Allaah revealed Qur’aan to His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), refuting what we had said: “And spend in the Cause of Allaah (i.e. Jihad of all kinds) and do not throw yourselves into destruction” [al-Baqarah 2:195]. This destruction was our staying with our property to improve it, and neglecting to fight (in jihad). Abu Ayyoob never stopped fighting for the sake of Allaah until he was buried in Constantinople. Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi.

It says in Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi: 

This hadeeth indicates that what is meant by throwing oneself into destruction is taking care of one’s family and wealth at the expense of jihad.

2 – Neglecting jihad is a cause of humiliation and scorn 

Abu Dawood (3462) narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “When you engage in ‘aynah transactions (a kind of transaction intended to circumvent the prohibition on riba or usury), and you take hold of the tails of oxen and you are content with agriculture (at the time when jihad is obligatory), and you give up jihad, then Allaah will send upon you humiliation that will not be dispelled until you return to your religion, Allaah will send upon you humiliation that will not be dispelled until you return to your religion, Allaah will send upon you humiliation that will not be dispelled until you return to your religion.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.

Our Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) indeed spoke the truth, for the one who looks at the state of the Muslims today will see that they have become very careless about their religion. They consume riba and they are focused on this world, and they have neglected jihad for the sake of Allaah. And what is the result? Allaah has subjected them to humiliation, and they turn to the east and to the west, humiliated and lowly, asking them for support against their enemies, and they do not realize [?] that this humiliation will not be lifted from them until they go back to their religion as the truthful Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said. 

Allaah has indeed spoken the truth: 

“Give to the hypocrites the tidings that there is for them a painful torment.

Those who take disbelievers for Awliyaa’ (protectors or helpers or friends) instead of believers, do they seek honour, power and glory with them? Verily, then to Allaah belongs all honour, power and glory”

[al-Nisa’ 4:138-139 – interpretation of the meaning]

3 – Neglecting jihad is a cause of Allaah's punishment in this world and in the Hereafter 

Abu Dawood (2503) narrated from Abu Umaamah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever does not fight or does not equip a warrior or support the family of a warrior in his absence, Allaah will strike him with calamity before the Day of Resurrection.” Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.

Al-Qaari’ah (translated here as calamity) means a disaster that occurs suddenly. 

And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“O you who believe! What is the matter with you, that when you are asked to march forth in the Cause of Allaah (i.e. Jihaad) you cling heavily to the earth? Are you pleased with the life of this world rather than the Hereafter? But little is the enjoyment of the life of this world as compared to the Hereafter.

If you march not forth, He will punish you with a painful torment and will replace you by another people; and you cannot harm Him at all, and Allaah is Able to do all things”

[al-Tawbah 9:38-39]

The punishment of which He warns them is not only punishment in the Hereafter, rather it is punishment in this world and in the Hereafter, the punishment of humiliation that befalls those who do not engage in jihad, the punishment of being deprived of the good things from which the kaafir enemy benefits. In addition to all of that, those who forsake jihad will lose more lives and more wealth than would be lost in jihad, and they offer more sacrifices than those required to retain their honour and dignity. No ummah forsook jihad but Allaah sent humility upon them, thus the cost was far greater than that that may have been required in jihad against the enemy.

 Al-Zilaal, 3/1655.

Al-Sa’di (may Allaah have mercy on him) said (p. 532): 

“O you who believe” do you not know the requirements of faith, which is that you should hasten to obey the command of Allaah and to seek His pleasure, and to fight His enemies in jihad for the sake of your religion? So “What is the matter with you, that when you are asked to march forth in the Cause of Allaah (i.e. Jihaad) you cling heavily to the earth?” meaning, why are you so lazy and so inclined towards this world.

“Are you pleased with the life of this world rather than the Hereafter?” Your case is that of those who are content with this world and who strive for worldly purposes, caring nothing for the Hereafter because they do not believe in it. 

“But little is the enjoyment of the life of this world” towards which you are inclined and which you prefer. Hasn’t Allaah given you reason with which to weigh up matters and see which deserves to be shown preference? 

Is not this world – from beginning to end – as nothing in comparison to the Hereafter? 

What is a man's lifespan in comparison to the lifespan of this world, so as to make worldly gain his ultimate goal and concern and restrict all his efforts and focus to this short life that is filled with distress and risk?

How can you possibly prefer it to the Hereafter which includes every kind of delight that a person could desire, where you will abide forever? No person who prefers this world to the Hereafter has faith rooted in his heart and he cannot be regarded as a man of wisdom and understanding. Then Allaah warns them if they do not march forth, as He says: 

“If you march not forth, He will punish you with a painful torment” – in this world and in the Hereafter, for not marching forth when ordered to do so is a major sin that deserves the most severe punishment, because it causes a great deal of harm, because the one who stays behind(from jihad) has disobeyed Allaah and done something that He has forbidden, and he has not helped to support the religion of Allaah or to protect the Book of Allaah and His Law. He has not helped his Muslim brothers against the enemy who wants to uproot them and eradicate their religion.  Perhaps others who are weak in faith will follow his example, and he may even discourage those who are involved in fighting the enemies of Allaah. Thus he will be like those whom Allaah has warned of a severe punishment: “If you march not forth, He will punish you with a painful torment” Allaah has promised to support His religion and make His word supreme regardless of whether you obey the command of Allaah or not. 

“and Allaah is Able to do all things” He is not incapable of doing anything that He wants, and none can overwhelm Him.

We ask Allaah to bring the Muslims back to their religion and to remove humiliation from them. 

And Allaah knows best.

Haya

What is Haya?

 

Haya itself is 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, honour, humility, etc. The original meaning of Haya according to a believer's nature, refers to a bad and uneasy feeling accompanied by embarrassment, caused by one's fear of being exposed or censured for some unworthy or indecent conduct.
 

Islamically Haya is an attribute which pushes the believer to avoid anything distasteful or abominable. It keeps him/her from being neglectful in giving everyone what is due upon them, and if for any reason he/she is not able to keep up with his/her commitment then they will feel extremely uncomfortable and ashamed about this. The reason being that he/she will have displeased Allah by breaking a commitment. 

 

 

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. For as it states in the following hadith: Narrated by Abu Huraira (ra): The Prophet 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 (saws) the importance of having haya and how it is not something to be ashamed of, but instead, one should be concerned and ashamed if they do not possess it within their character.
Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar (ra): The Prophet (saws) 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 said, "Leave him, for Haya is (a part) of Faith." (Bukhari) 
 

 

Now 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 if their fear of Allah and an indication of the value of their Deen.

 

 

When we think back to when we were young around eight or nine years old - we all remember this feeling of shyness and humility naturally occurring - for many it was when we felt we wanted to conceal our bodies from our mums or siblings. We were often told - "don't be silly" or "we have seen it all before" and the many other comments that people in the west or ignorant Muslim parents affected by the western values (or lack of them) say to their pure children. If these natural instincts of shyness and shame are taken by the smart parent and nurtured, it will develop and affect their entire character and also most importantly lead to a conscious responsible Muslim who prioritise their life towards submission to Allah (swt).

 

 

We often find that shyness, humility and bashfulness is frowned upon by our society as a weakness or a lack of confidence when, Infact these are quality of a dignified upright human being, who is conscious of their actions and their responsibilities in life.

 

 

Now to discuss the different types of haya. How many types of haya are there?
Haya' is of two kinds: good and bad:

 

The good Hayâ' is to be ashamed to commit a sin or a thing which Allah and His Messenger (saws) has forbidden, and bad Hayâ' is to feel ashamed to do a thing, which Allah and His Messenger (saws) ordered to do.

Firstly, to talk about the types of Good haya. For example, anyone who is a believer, he/she should build their personalities and their character with the good dimensions of haya. The most important is that he/she must be shy of doing ANYTHING displeasing to Allah (swt), with the belief that he/she will have to answer for all their deeds. If one develops a sense such as this one, it will help the believer to obey all of Allah's command and to stay away from sins. Once the believer realises 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/she 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/her doing anything prohibited. The way to develop this haya is that one must keep learning and absorbing more knowledge and applying it to their lives.

 

Another type of haya is more of a social aspect concerning others besides Allah (swt). Normally these things often come in regard with ones 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.. 

Last but not least is the type of haya in which the believers become shy of themselves. This is when they have reached the peek of their Iman. What this means is that if they do, or 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 heart. This builds a high degree of self-consciousness and that is what strengthens the believers 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 Prophet (saw) but it is also solid proof of the weakness of someone's Iman. This negative aspect revolves around a person's shamefulness or shyness of doing something that Allah (swt) has ordered us to do through the Qur'an or our Prophet's (saw) Sunnah. 

This constitutes the shamefulness or embarrassment of doing a lawful act or something that is ordered upon us from Allah (swt). Meaning for someone not to follow an obligation of Islam, due the fact of being shy in front of others about it. This is totally forbidden because then one is giving the people of this dunya more respect than the One who Created this whole universe. 

 

It also means if someone is shy or afraid to seek knowledge of Islam for worldly reasons, because they do not want others to see them or to know of their ignorance. This once again goes contrary to what Allah (swt) has told us in the Qur'an, which is to seek knowledge and preach it to others. In this society there are many examples. People will go out an get degrees in law schools, or science, or engineering and they will put four to six years of their lives studying for this stuff that will only benefit them in this world. Why? You ask? Well most likely, in this society people including Muslims, choose their careers according to how much money they will make and what status they will have in this society as to being a lawyer or a doctor etc. They do not realize that in Islam the BEST stature of a Muslim is that of a "dai'i" or a teacher of Islam. 

 

These Islamic teachers and scholars are even higher in the eyes of Allah (swt) then one who only sits at home and does ibaadah (worship). If they want to study law, why not Islamic Shariah? If they want to study science, why not Islamic Science? So this explains how people consider the worldly careers to be of higher value and are embarrassed to even express an interest in Islamic Studies. It is usually because they will not be considered as high as the other "educated" people. This is having the bad haya or "shame" of something that is encouraged to us by Allah (swt) and His Messenger (saw).

Another proof of bad haya is that which is extremely popular amongst many sisters in this western society.
One of the most important aspects of haya, for women, is that of guarding their chastity and their modesty. To do this they must follow the order from Allah (swt) telling them to keep hidden themselves and their adornments from all men lawful to them in marriage. Now this order involves all the aspects of haya for those who do follow it. The believing and following women are ashamed of disobeying Allah (swt). They are shy of the opposite gender in this society because of what they might experience if strange men look at them and lastly they have haya because they are ashamed of going out in public and committing this grave sin of displaying their beauty is public. 

 

There are many women in this society who claim that they have haya but to follow the order of hijab is backwards and that women in this society shouldn't have to cover, is obviously disbelief. For if someone really had haya they would never contradict ANYTHING that Allah (swt) has ordained upon us even if they found it a test and a trial. A women's haya comes from her modesty and her shyness and her fear of Allah, so how can she have haya if she walks around in public un-veiled? Proof lies in the following hadith. Abdullah ibn Umar (ra) narrated that the Prophet (saw) said: "Indeed haya (modesty) and Iman are Companions. When one of them is lifted, the other leaves as well." (Baihaqi)

 

There are many verses in the Qur'an and many ahadith explaining the reasons behind observing Hijab. The Islamic Shariah has not stopped at giving the Commandments of Hijab, it has also clarified every such thing which directly relates to these commandments and, with the slightest carelessness, may result in vulgarity and immodesty. In other words such things have also been forbidden in order to close the doors to indecency and lewdness, in return providing a stronger pillar for haya. 

 

 

Modesty (haya) and maintaining one's honour and dignity are of primary importance in preserving the moral fibre of any society. This is why modesty has been called the ornament of a woman, which protects her from many sins and which prevents ill-intentioned men from daring to have bad thoughts about her. This haya has been made a part of her nature to safeguard her from being abused by immoral men.Narrated on the authority of Anas bin Malik, the Prophet (saw) said: When lewdness is a part of anything, it becomes defective; and when haya is a part of anything it becomes beautiful. (Tirmidhi) 

So it is only obvious that Hijab plays an extremely important role in regards to Haya. For Hijab prevents lewdness and Haya backs this up and then person's Iman becomes even stronger. So both things work together in a partnership. 

 

At the time of our beloved Prophet (saw) as soon as the verses of Hijab were revealed, all the Quraish and Ansar ran home to their wives and daughters and close female relatives to tell them to cover themselves. The ones who had veils used them and the ones who did not have veils made some right away. For instance the following hadith tells us:

Narrated by Aisha (ra): May Allah have mercy on the early immigrant women. When the verse "That they should draw their veils over their bosoms" was revealed, they tore their thick outer garments and made veils from them. And when the verse "That they should cast their outer garments over themselves" was revealed, the women of Ansar came out as if they had crows over their heads by wearing outer garments. (Abu Dawood) 

This indicates that all these women wanted to guard their modesty which is why they followed out the orders of Allah. Yet, another verse talk about the level of modesty in Aisha (ra):

Narrated Aisha (ra): "I used to enter my house where Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) was and take off my garment, saying that only my husband and my father were there; but when Umar was buried along with them, I swear by Allah that I did not enter it without having my clothes wrapped round me owing to modesty regarding Umar." (at-Tirmidhi and Ahmed) 

 

 

If women in today's society choose not to wear the veils, but some belief in their hearts, than they might be categorised as Muslim women but not Mumineen. The truth is that Haya is a special characteristic of a Mu'min ( believing, practicing Muslims). People who are ignorant of the teachings of the Prophet (saws) do not concern themselves with Haya and Honour. Haya and Iman are interdependent; therefore either they both exist together or they both perish. Thus, the Prophet (saws) has said in one hadith, "When there is no haya left, then do as you please." 

 

 

Today vulgarity and all its ingredients have become a common place even among well-known Muslims in the zeal of imitating the disbelievers. It is these people who have been struggling to bring Muslim women out of Hijab into immodesty and indecency. They have adopted the lifestyles of the disbelievers more than the traditions of the Prophet (saws). Such people are in a dilemma. On the one hand, they desire to freely look at the half-clad bodies of their wives and daughters of other Muslims on the streets; and on the other hand, they do not have the courage to deny the teachings of the Holy Qur'an and the Prophet (saws). Neither can they say they have given up Islam, nor can they bear to see Muslim women wear Hijab and showing some Haya. 

Actually the fact is, indulging in indecency for so long has killed the sense of modesty (haya) which Islam had commanded them to preserve. It is this natural desire of maintaining one's honour which compels men to protect the respect and honour of their women. 

What these men and women do not understand is that if the women do not observe Hijab and do not develop Haya inside of them, they will be entertaining those who have taken the path of Sheytan. Such as the following hadith:

Malik b Uhaimir reported that he heard the Prophet (saw) saying that, "Allah (swt) will not accept any good deeds or worship of an immodest and vulgar person." We asked "Who is a vulgar and immodest person?" He replied, "A man who's wife entertains Ghair-mehram men."

Now the word "entertains" implies that she is showing off her beauty instead of keeping herself covered up. If the Muslim brothers of today's society knew the benefits of haya and hijab hey would definitely not tolerate the opposite. At the time of our beloved Prophet (saws) the husbands could not even imagine their wives leaving the houses un-veiled let alone go out and beautify themselves for other men to get "free looks". The following hadith shows this fact clearly: 
 

Narrated by Al-Mughira: Sa'd bin 'Ubada said, "I will not hesitate killing my wife with a sword if I see her with another man" This news reached Allah's Apostle who then said, "You people are astonished at Sa'd's Ghira (self-respect, honour). By Allah, I have more Ghira than he, and Allah has more Ghira than I, and because of Allah's Ghira, He has made unlawful shameful deeds and sins done in open and in secret. And there is none who likes that the people should repent to Him and beg His pardon than Allah, and for this reason He sent the warners and the givers of good news. And there is none who likes to be praised more than Allah does, and for this reason, Allah promised to grant Paradise (to the doers of good)." 'Abdul Malik said, "No person has more Ghira than Allah." (Sahih Bukhari) 

 

So this should be enough to understand why Hijab is so important for women to establish Haya in themselves and live the lives of true mu'mineen. Sometimes the situation becomes a such that people will have done wrong/sins for such a long period of time that they will not be able to differentiate between right and wrong. Another way to put this is that, a person's exceeding indulgence in indecency results in the loss of wisdom and the ability to see good deeds from bad deeds. As the Prophet (saw) said:

"I have a sense of Honour ( a part of haya). Only a person with a darkened heart is deprived of Honour."
So one wonders…..what if this observing of Hijab and maintaining Haya is so important then why is it we have nothing to show us the merits? Well the answer to that question clearly lies in the Qur'an and ahadith. 

There are many merits of Haya if one wants to know. Here are some just to list a few.

Firstly Allah loves Haya. We know this by the following hadith: " Surely Allah (is One who) has haya and is the Protector. He loves haya and people who cover each others faults."(Bukhari)
Secondly, Haya itself is a Greatness of Islam as our Prophet indicated: "Every way of life has a innate character. The character of Islam is haya." Or "Every Deen has an innate character. The character of Islam is modesty (haya)." (Abu Dawood)

Thirdly, Haya only brings good and nothing else. Our Prophet (saw) said: "Haya does not bring anything except good." (Bukhari)

Fourthly, Haya is a very clear indication of our Iman. As the Prophet (saw) had mentioned to the Ansar who was condemning is brother about being shy: "Leave him, for Haya is (a part) of Faith." (Bukhari)
Fifthly, last but not least, Haya leads us to PARADISE. As the Prophet saws) told us: "Haya comes from Iman; Iman leads to Paradise. Obscenity comes from antipathy; and antipathy leads to the fire." (Bukhari)  

The actual word Haya is derived from Hayat. This means life. It is only obvious that when someone has Haya in them, they will LIVE a life of Islam. On the other hand if they do not have Haya they are living a life that is dead "Islamically" but alive according to this dunya.

The Prophet (saws) said: "Haya and Trustworthiness will be the first to go from this world; therefore keep asking Allah for them." (Baihaqi)

In conclusion we must understand that Haya 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 Sheytan and will not disrespect or take advantage of the women. 

There are many verses in the Qur'an that have clearly explained how we have to behave and Allah is All-Knowing therefore He knew that we would face these problems living in this society, and that is no excuse to change Islam and only practice what we feel is right. Allah (swt) 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 Allah 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 Allah 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……." (Qur'an Nur, 30-31) 

 

ALL PRAISE BE TO ALLAH, AND MAY HIS PEACE AND BLESSINGS BE UPON MUHAMMAD (SAW), HIS FAMILY, HIS COMPANIONS AND HIS TRUE FOLLOWERS UNTIL THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT.