Worshipping Allah Al Hayyiy

By Umm Isam – Hiba Magazine Team Writer

Allah’s (swt) name ‘Al Hayyiy’ is not mentioned in the Quran but rather in the Prophet’s (sa) Sunnah. He (sa) said: “Your Lord is Modest and Generous and would never turn the hands of someone without gain when he raises them to Him (in supplication).” (At Tirmidhi and Abu Dawood)

Al Hayyiy is Allah’s (swt) beautiful name that means the All-Modest.

As the creation, we cannot fully comprehend Allah’s (swt) modesty. Modesty is Allah’s (swt) divine attribute that is befitting Him and suits His majesty. This modesty however is not similar to what is displayed by the faulty creation. Allah Al-Hayyiy’s modesty encompasses mercy, perfect grace, vastness, kindness, forgiveness and forbearance.

How does Allah Al-Hayyiy’s modesty manifest itself?

1. He grants His special favour upon His slaves by equipping them with ‘Haya’ modesty. This is the noble quality of the prophets and special Sahabah such as Uthman bin Affan (rta).
2. Allah Al Hayyiy does not treat His sinful slaves harshly even though they are disobedient. Instead He covers their faults and protects their honour modestly by concealing them before others. 
3. When His creation disobeys Allah Al-Hayyiy expands His mercy, forgiveness, compassion, even though He has absolute control to punish, destroy or wipe out the creation. 

How can you be modest?

1. Be most modest before Allah Al Hayyiy

Many people sin in private and appear modest in public. They live dual lives especially if they are perceived as being pious or have to carry a position or title to maintain an impeccable public image.

But a believer is most modest before Allah (swt) as he realizes that Allah (swt) is watching him, listening to him and is completely aware of the reality. He cannot bluff his Creator. There is no barrier or veil between them.  

What are some ways you can be modest before Allah (swt)?

1. Firstly, guard your thoughts, intentions and ideas from immodesty. Do not use any of your senses such as sight, hearing, speech or limbs to perform the forbidden.
2. Secondly, watch what you eat in terms of Halal as well as Tayyab Rizq. This also prevents greed, wastage and over indulgence.
3. Next reflect often over death and destruction happening around. It’s a reminder of the world’s temporal nature. Live your life meaningfully.
4. Prepare for the Aakhirah, it will motivate you to become a minimalist. Your attachment to Dunya will stay in check and you will be easygoing on yourself and others.

• Adornment is a test of Haya

Whether it is at a personal level when we dress up or whether it is concerning the décor of our house, work place, etc. Shiatan entices us to disobey in these areas by playing with our weakness and vulnerabilities. He knows that we all want to look our very best so heads turn our way. We wish to post selfies for likes and comments. Similarly, we all love to flaunt our dwellings with extravagant and expensive interior. But we need to anchor our choices in Haya.  

At the end of times, people will adorn themselves and their cities in such a way that it will become impossible to think of death or the Judgment Day. The first world is already a sign of this new world order.

Adornment is allowed in Islam within boundaries. You can look beautiful within the parameters of Haya and enjoy pretty homes too. But becoming excessively obsessed with it, wasting time, money and energy over it, falling into heedlessness and misguidance because of it is not permissible because it comes between you and your relationship with Allah (swt) impacting your eternal life ahead.  

• Haya and Iman go hand in hand

If one departs, the other follows. This is a very dangerous state to be in. Imagine losing your faith because of immodesty of thoughts, actions or speech. But the believer who is mindful of Allah (swt) will never usurp His right. He will give up foul speech, aggressive behaviour, obscenity, destructive thoughts, immodest dressing, simply because he understands that Haya is not weakness. It demonstrates strength of character. 

• Your Haya guards the interests of others

How does this work, you may wonder? Well, when you restraint your thoughts, you do not act evil against anyone. When you control your sight, speech and hearing, you are saved from lustful content bringing down its demand and damaging these oppressive industries that exploit people for material gain. When you guard your chastity and observe the Islamic dress code and mannerisms, you don’t become a trial for other men and women with weak Iman. 

• Don’t shy away from asking Allah (swt)

The best garment a person can wear is of Taqwa (mindfulness of Allah swt). Never be ashamed, embarrassed or doubtful of asking Allah (swt) for anything. He is your Lord, Creator and Master. Make Dua to Him with Yaqueen (certainty) for ease and guidance. The problem occurs when people act arrogantly and disdainfully towards their Creator and question His existence, authority and their own accountability.

• Allah Al Hayyiy is not shy of citing examples to guide

“Indeed, Allah is not timid to present an example – that of a mosquito or what is smaller than it. And those who have believed know that it is the truth from their Lord. But as for those who disbelieve, they say, ‘What did Allah intend by this as an example?’ He misleads many thereby. And He misleads not except the defiantly disobedient.” (Al Baqarah 2:26)

• Prophet Muhammad (sa) was most modest and advocated it

Once the messenger (sa) saw a man taking Ghusul in an open place, so he ascended the Mimbar, praised and glorified Allah (swt) and said: “Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, is forbearing, modest and concealing. When anyone of You performs Ghusul, let him conceal himself.” (An Nasai)

The Prophet (sa) said: “Indeed, modesty is a branch of faith.” (Sahih)

The home for Haya is your heart. This quality distinguishes you from animals. When your heart feels Haya your limbs and other senses also follow suit. Its like a command centre dispensing orders. Worship Allah Al-Hayyi mindfully with an action plan for yourself. Evaluate yourself against it so you stay the course.

Remember Haya is a precious choice that is highly rewardable. Because few people opt for it. And it only brings priceless treasures of Iman in the world too bi izn Allah.

Partially adapted from a course ‘Beautiful names of Allah (swt)’ taught by Safiya Khan.