Source: Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith
3483) – The same hadith is mentioned in Musnad Ahmad, Sunan Abi Dawud, and
others.
This hadith SHOULD NOT be taken as a permission to
sin, but a profound statement about the role of inner conscience in morality.
In a world where shame is often dismissed as "old-fashioned," the
Prophet ﷺ reminds us that ḥayā' is a divine gift—a guardrail that keeps our
faith and actions pure.
1. Descriptive (Not Permissive): "Do what you want" as a warning
- The the dominant interpretation: If you have no sense of shame, you’ll end up doing anything—including evil.
- The Prophet ﷺ is not giving permission, but rather warning that losing shame leads to moral collapse.
- It’s like saying: "If you're not afraid of fire, go ahead and walk into it." The implication is: you should fear it.
- Supported by Scholars:
- Ibn Rajab: "This is not a command, but a form of rebuke or reproach."
- Imam Nawawi: “It means: When a person has no shame, he does whatever he wants without care for right or wrong.”
- Ibn Hajar (Fath al-Bari): “It is a statement of fact—not a permit to act freely.”
- Some scholars also interpret it positively, when applied to righteous acts.
- Meaning: If you're about to do something and feel no inner shame, it may be a sign it's morally sound.
- In this case, ḥayā' (shame/modesty) acts as an internal barometer for good behavior.
- So, in this second view:
- Lack of shame in sin = blameworthy
- Lack of shame in truth = encouraged
- From the Qur'an:
- Surah Al-Ahzab (33:53):
- “...And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts.”
- This verse establishes ḥayā’ as a form of spiritual and social purity.
- Surah An-Nur (24:30-31):
- “Tell the believing men/women to lower their gaze and guard their modesty...”
- Modesty in gaze, dress, and behavior—grounded in inner shame and self-respect.
- 1. “Ḥayā' is a branch of faith.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 35 / Riyad as-Salihin 680) - Shame is not weakness—it’s a sign of strong Iman (faith).
- 2. “Every religion has a character trait, and the trait of Islam is ḥayā’.” (Ibn Majah, 4181 – Hasan) - Modesty is the hallmark trait of Islam—at the heart of manners and morality.
- Justify sin
- Mock morality
- Normalize indecency
- Lose accountability
In Islamic teachings, haya is considered a fundamental aspect of faith, encouraging individuals to act with dignity, respect, and morality. When someone lacks shame, they may engage in inappropriate or harmful actions without hesitation.
That’s why the hadith serves as a powerful moral alert: if you’re not even ashamed, there’s nothing stopping you from going wrong.
Modesty in Islam is intended to foster humility, self-respect, and a sense of dignity, while also guarding against unwanted attention and promoting a wholesome society.
Summary of Meaning
- Hadith "If you don't feel ashamed, do whatever you like"
- Main Meaning Warning against losing shame—leads to sin without restraint
- Secondary Meaning Indicator of moral soundness if no shame exists in doing goo
- Supported by Qur’an (24:30–31), many hadiths on modesty, scholars like Nawawi, Ibn Rajab
- Core Message Ḥayā' is essential for a believer's character and acts as a moral filter
- Why Islam gives so much emphasis on Modesty " Hayā حياء "
- O ye children of Adam! Wear Raiment of Modesty and Righteousness
- Traits of Believers who attain true success are those who Guard their Chastity
- Believers! Do not go near ADULTERY [Zināʾ (زِنَاء)] because it is blatant lewdness and a very evil path
- What is Hijab in Islam - a broader viewpointm
- The life of this world is nothing but a sport and a pastime
This Hadith serves as a reminder to cultivate self-awareness, modesty, and accountability in our actions. It emphasizes the importance of haya (modesty or shame) in Islam. It doesn't mean that people should do whatever they want without shame. Instead, it highlights that having a sense of shame is a natural regulator of behavior.
Modesty and shame is not restricted to women only, it is equally applicable to men. When man loses sense of shame, he takes bribes, rights, usurp others, wields undue authority besides gazing shamelessly on women and others wealth.
So let not our lack of shame take over our sinister wants and wishes and lose ourselves to the forces of evil and Satan. Whenever, doing a thing, if we feel an inner click of our concious, we must stop, ponder over our intending act and see if realization of the same will not leave us ashamed and feeling guilty. So stop before an unbecoming conduct is written into our dossiers for which we will be questioned.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
