Why is Modesty Stressed in Islam?
The concept of haya’ is manifested in Islamic teachings in different ways: the respectable interaction between men and women, the dress-code, and also, the separation of genders in Muslim gatherings. One can also refer to chapter 24, verse 33, of the Qur’an for examples of how men and women should behave with one another. The obvious result of ignoring the value of haya’ in society is a rise in pre- and extra-marital affairs, marriage breakdowns and children being born out of wedlock. This is to say nothing, of course, about flaunting indecent behavior by shamelessly talking of one’s illegitimate sexual relations – something which seems to have become a non-issue with some people. The separation of genders in public has nothing to do with the superiority or inferiority of one over the other, and it definitely is not “apartheid.” Separation of the genders has to do with promoting decency and modesty. Separating men and women or enforcing modesty in their interaction also helps them stay
