' If you have no shame, then do as you please.'

The concept of Al Haya (Modesty)

Abu Masud Uqbah bin Amr al Ansari al Badri reported that the Messenger of Allah sallAllahu alaiyhi wa sallam said:

"Among the things that the people have found from the words of the previous prophets was:'If you have no shame, then do as you please.'"

Explanation of Hadeeth Number 20 by Imam an Nawawi:

The first is that if you have no modesty, then do whatever you wish and Allah will punish you for what you do. It is not an order to do as we please, but rather it is a warning or threat that if we do so then we shall have to face the consequences. And this is similar to the statement of Allaah ta'aalaa with reference to the Disbelievers : "Do what you will" [Fussilat, 40]. And this is a threat to them as it has been made clear to them what will come about as a result of their disbelief. And this is also similar to the statement of the Prophet (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) "Whoever sells alcohol then let him also make permissible the eating of swine" - and, clearly, there is not in this permission to eat the flesh of pigs !

The second if you are contemplating an act and it is an act such that there is no reason to be ashamed of doing it befoer Allah or the people, then you may do that act. If a person does not have any modesty or shame, then let him come forward and openly perform every single shameful act without any reservation. And similar to this is his (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) statement : "Modesty is from Eemaan (faith)". Its meaning is that modesty prevents a person from committing shameful and evil deeds, but rather encourages him towards piety and good actions; just as a person's Eemaan (faith) prevents him from committing such acts, and instead encourages him upon obedience [of the Lord]. Thus, modesty attains the station and position of Eemaan, through its being equivalent to Eemaan in this.

Ibn Al Qayyim's view: IF a person does not have any modesty, then there is nothing to prevent him/her from doing anything.

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Taken from the Book:

Commentary on the Forty Hadith of Al Nawawi

Commentary by Dr. Jamal Ahmed Badi ( Professor at International Islamic University Malaysia)

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