What does Haya' mean?

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Discover the meaning of the term Haya' (حياء) in Islamic vocabulary.

Updated on 11 April 2026 at 1:05 AM

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Definition Haya'

Haya' according to Kitab at-Ta'rifat (Al-Jurjani)

The soul’s contraction before a thing and leaving it warily of the blame in it; of two kinds: psychic, created by Allah in all souls, as modesty at unveiling the privy parts and intercourse before people; and of faith, barring the believer from sins in fear of Allah.

Haya' according to Dustur al-'Ulama (Al-Ahmadnagari)

The soul’s contraction before a thing and leaving it warily of blame; of two kinds: psychic and of faith. The psychic is what Allah created in all souls, as modesty at unveiling the privy parts and intercourse before people. That of faith is what bars the believer from sins in fear of Allah.

Haya' according to Maqalid al-'Ulum (As-Suyuti)

The soul’s shrinking for fear of committing disgraces, or the blameworthy, awe dwelling in the heart with dread of what precedes.

Haya' according to At-Ta'rifat al-Fiqhiyya (Al-Barkati)

The soul’s contraction before a thing and leaving it warily of the blame in it, said as-Sayyid. And also.

Related terms: Haya'

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