Haya is the quiet feeling that holds you back from what you would be ashamed for Allah to see. The Prophet ﷺ said it brings nothing but good Bukhari 6117. The Quran speaks to the men about it first 24:30.
From the Quran
قُلْ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا فُرُوجَهُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَزْكَىٰ لَهُمْ
From the Prophet ﷺ
«الْحَيَاءُ لاَ يَأْتِي إِلاَّ بِخَيْرٍ»
Seen in the prophets
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Musa was a shy man who kept himself covered" Bukhari 3404. When people mocked him for it and spread rumours about him, Allah cleared his name 33:69.
Abu Sa'id said: "The Prophet ﷺ was shyer than a young girl behind her curtain" Bukhari 3562.
What it is not
Haya is not fear of people, and it never stops you from doing good, because it brings nothing but good Bukhari 6117.
Today, in practice
Lower your gaze on the street, and on the screen 24:30.
Don't post what you would hide if your mother walked in.
Knock, and ask before you go in 24:27.
Small, practical steps. This is friendly advice, not a ruling.
Your manner for the week
الحَيَاء Modesty
Choose one manner and carry it for seven days. It is saved on this device only, nobody else sees it.
Their moments
Sources on this page
Quran 24:30Quran 28:23-25Quran 33:69Sahih al-Bukhari 3404Sahih al-Bukhari 3562Sahih al-Bukhari 6117
Quran meanings are given in plain English, close to the Arabic. Hadith numbers follow sunnah.com.