The Lantern of Guidance

Chapter 10: Explanation of Ahwāl (Pl. Hāla Momentary State of Heart)

Section 5: Hayā (Shyness, Timidity)

Hayā (Shyness, Timidity) is one of the many Hāla (Momentary State of Heart) for Muqar-rabin (Folk who enjoy Qurb Divine Nearness) and as Sahl Abdallah has said: The lowest rank of all Maqām (Stationary States of Heart) is Qurb (Divine Nearness) i.e. without Hayā (Shyness, Timidity) no trace of Qurb (Nearness) can be found.

Hayā (Shyness, Timidity) is when the slave’s Bāten (Inmost Interior) is introverted, self-absorbed, or depressed due to Haiba (Dread) of the Divine Presence or awareness. And there are two kinds of Hayā (Shyness, Timidity):

1.    ‘Ām (General Public): This is the general shyness of the people when they remember their past bad deeds as Dhan-nun has said: Hayā (Shyness, Timidity) is when the existence of Haiba (Dread) is found within the heart while there is shame of what has passed (foul deeds) in front of Allah.
2.    Khās (Exclusive Special Individual): The souls of the special slaves introverted with shyness and timidity due to the observation of Azima (Divine Sublimity and Magnificence) as Sheikh (?) has said: Hayā (Shyness, Timidity) is the Soul’s bowing of the head acknowledging the Magnificence and Greatness of Allah. And again the Hayā (Shyness, Timidity) of the angel Isrāfil has been noted in the Hadith (Prophetic Narration): It cloaks itself with its wings due to Hayā (Shyness, Timidity) from Allah Almighty. Also ‘Uthmān has said: I bathe in the darkness of the night because of my Hayā (Shyness, Timidity) for Allah.

The prophet has said: Seek Hayā (Shyness, Timidity) for Allah as IT deserves timidity, and the companions said: We do feel shyness from Allah, the prophet responded: Not like that but he who seeks deserved Hayā (Shyness, Timidity) from Allah safeguards his mind from thoughts and memories (foul ones) and safeguards his stomach and what it carries, remembers the death and hardship, and he who seeks the Hereafter should do away with the adornments of this life and only then this person has Hayā (Shyness, Timidity) from Allah as Allah deserves it. And this form of Hayā (Shyness, Timidity) is of two kinds:

1.    Hayā (Shyness, Timidity) for sins: When Ādam ate from the forbidden tree he was running hiding and every place he heard the voice: O Ādam are you attempting to escape us? And he responded: No but I feel the Hayā (Shyness, Timidity) from You! It has entered into the Hadith (Prophetic Narration) quoting Allah: My slave is not just with Me (Allah) he asks from me and I have Hayā (Shyness, Timidity) to deny him, but commits sins and feels no shame.
2.    Abu Bakr Warrāq has said: Perhaps wanted to pray a short prayer to Allah and I was diverted or distracted and the feeling within was that of a person who felt shame when he attempted to steal something. (Diversion or distraction from prayers likened to stealing and its consequent shame that stopped the theft or stopped the distraction from the prayers). Abu Solaiman Dārāni said: Indeed the slaves act according to four Daraja (stages, ranks) Khawf (Fear). Rajā’ (Hope), Ta’zim (Aggrandizement) and Hayā (Shyness, Timidity). And the most noble of the four is that of Hayā (Shyness, Timidity) that the person is for sure certain that Allah sees him in all circumstances, he feels more shame (Hayā) towards his good deeds than most sinners feel towards their sins.