ENGLISH-ḤAYĀ (MODESTY) AS A MORAL VALUE IN ISLAM: ITS RELEVANCE AND CHALLENGES IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY

Zain -ul- Abdin Arijo; Jabeen Bhutto

Zain -ul- Abdin Arijo Associate Professor, Institute of Islamic Studies, hah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur, Sindh, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0896-2821
Jabeen Bhutto Department of Comparative Religion & Islamic Culture, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8155-482X

Keywords: Ḥayā, Modesty, Islam, Qur'an, Hadith, Moral Values, Contemporary Society, Globalization, Ethics, Islamic Teachings

Abstract

This paper examines the idea of Ḥayā (modesty) within the Islamic religious context and its application within the modern social context. Based on the Quran and Hadith, Ḥayā is an all-encompassing moral value that influences an individual's character and social conduct. The study emphasizes the role of modesty not just in the physical appearance but also in humility, restraining oneself, and ethical behavior. In the contemporary age of globalization, secularism, and the impact of digital, the tradition of Ḥayā is challenged greatly, with issues such as cultural pressures, media influence, and misconceptions. The paper also analyzes how modesty can be used to maintain moral integrity and social harmony and its interplay with contemporary concepts like feminism and individualism. It concludes that in spite of changing social conventions, Ḥayata is a very important and applicable value in maintaining dignity, identity, and moral balance in individual and community life.