** * Lessons for us in Haya
*
**
• The two women strove to prevent their sheep from mingling with
those of the other shepherds. They were ready to wait, adding to their
already difficult task of herding the sheep (a job usually performed by
men), so that they would have more privacy and ease whilst watering their
sheep. This shows to us modern-day Muslim women that places in which crowds
of men are found thronging to get to something should be avoided till
there’s a lull, in which we can achieve our objective without fear of being
touched/shoved/pushed by the crowd of men.
• The women had the confidence of speaking to a non-Mehram man when he asked
them a question about their situation. This shows us that when the need
arises, women should possess the self-confidence to speak to a non-Mehram in
a business-like, dignified manner.
• Neither of the women endeavored to stick around to chat with Musa after he
did them a favor that saved them a lot of trouble and time. Rather, just as
he shied away from them, and returned to the tree’s shade without asking for
any compensation, they also likewise hurried back home to their father,
after the errand for which he had sent them was done. This is a vital point
to be noted, especially for the single youth of today. Even in situations
when you need to interact with members of the opposite gender to get help
with something, you should not hang around chit-chatting or flirting after
the favor has been done.
• As the shyness of both the old man’s daughters and Prophet Musa (peace be
upon him) (all three of whom were single) shows, Haya entails that we
minimize any unnecessary communication with the opposite gender, even in
situations when we are thrown together out of necessity and are unsupervised
by elders or Mehrams.
• For Muslim women, this incident shows that returning home after outdoor
errands have been done is something they should hurry in doing. Loitering
around in public places without necessity goes against another Qur’anic
command that was sent down by Allah, when addressing the wives of the
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “And stay quietly in your
homes…” *(Qur’an,
33:33)*
• When Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) was to be summoned, the daughter
came walking with shyness. The word “Istihya” implies that her gait and
demeanor was one “seeking Haya.” In Arabic grammar, words based on the
structure of “Istif’al” imply the action of “seeking” in their meaning. (For
e.g. “Istighfar” means seeking forgiveness). So her manner of approaching
Musa was such that she sought Haya. This proves that when the need arises a
woman can become an intermediary between men, especially for a noble/good
cause, but she should seek the maximum possible Haya when she appears before
a man who is not her Mehram.
• This daughter also advised her father after Prophet Musa finished telling
his story. Furthermore, her father took her counsel and accepted her
testimony. Women should not feel shy in sharing knowledge to their Mehrams,
in consultation and decision-making, or when negotiating the terms of a
contract. Haya should, by no means, negate self-confidence and elocution.
- Muslim Matters
--
Faizan Shaikh,
Servant of Allah subhanau taa'la
“O Allah! Guide me to have beautiful manners and characteristics, no one can
guide me to beautify them except You. And turn me away from all evil actions
and characteristics, no one can turn them away from me except You.”
--
Nor can Goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (evil) with what is better; then the
enmity between him and you will become as if it were your friend and intimate!
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