Fiqh of Haya For Sisters
£ 10.00
Online • Self-Paced • Sisters Only
Ḥayā’ is far more than clothing.
It affects our relationship with Allah, the way we dress, speak, interact, present ourselves, use social media, deal with the opposite sex and carry ourselves as Muslim women.
The Fiqh of Ḥayā’ for Sisters is a comprehensive online course exploring the rulings, principles and practical application of ḥayā’ in a Muslim woman’s life.
Rather than reducing modesty to a list of clothing rules, this course looks at inner and outer ḥayā’, the evidence from the Qur’an and Sunnah, areas of scholarly disagreement and how these rulings apply to the realities Muslim women face today.
Where recognised scholarly differences exist, these are explained rather than presenting every issue as though there is only one opinion.
The main course is self-paced, allowing you to start at any time and work through the modules in your own time.
The course concludes with a live teaching session, giving sisters an opportunity to bring the subjects together, explore practical scenarios and ask questions arising from the course.
We begin with the foundations.
What does ḥayā’ actually mean?
This module explores:
• The Islamic meaning of ḥayā’
• Why ḥayā’ is part of faith
• The relationship between ḥayā’ and iman
• Natural shyness compared with Islamic ḥayā’
• Ḥayā’ before Allah
• Ḥayā’ with people
• Inner modesty and outward modesty
• Why ḥayā’ should not be confused with weakness or lack of confidence
Students begin by understanding that true ḥayā’ starts in the heart and influences behaviour.
This module examines the Islamic evidence upon which our understanding of ḥayā’ is built.
We study:
• Qur’anic guidance concerning modesty
• Prophetic teachings about ḥayā’
• “Ḥayā’ is from faith”
• The relationship between faith, character and modest conduct
• Examples of ḥayā’ from the early Muslim community
• How evidence should be understood in context
• Why cultural expectations should not replace Islamic evidence
Students begin learning to distinguish between Islamic rulings and cultural ideas about modesty.
Ḥayā’ is not simply what a woman wears.
This module explores how it appears through character and behaviour.
Topics include:
• Dignity
• Humility
• Speech
• Manners
• Anger and argument
• Seeking attention
• Showing off
• Joking and inappropriate humour
• Respectful disagreement
• Confidence without immodesty
• The difference between being modest and being invisible
We examine how a Muslim woman can be confident, articulate and active while maintaining ḥayā’.
One of the most important foundations of the course.
Students learn what ‘awrah means and why the rulings differ depending upon the situation.
We examine:
• The meaning of ‘awrah
• A woman’s ‘awrah during salah
• A woman’s ‘awrah before other women
• ‘Awrah before mahrams
• ‘Awrah before non-mahram men
• Children and ‘awrah
• Privacy within the home
• Medical necessity
• Areas in which the scholars differed
This module is taught with the recognised differences of opinion explained clearly.
This module looks specifically at modesty in prayer.
Topics include:
• What a woman must cover for salah
• Clothing requirements during prayer
• Feet in salah
• Hair and neck
• Clothing that becomes transparent
• Clothing that reveals the shape of the body
• What happens if part of the ‘awrah becomes exposed
• Differences between clothing required for salah and clothing required outside the home
Students learn why the rulings of covering in salah and hijab outside salah should not automatically be treated as identical.
Not every man is a non-mahram and not every family relationship has the same ruling.
This module covers:
• What makes someone a mahram
• Permanent mahrams
• Marriage relationships
• Brothers-in-law and other relatives by marriage
• Cousins
• Step-relations
• Adopted and foster relationships
• Breastfeeding relationships and mahram status
• Appropriate boundaries within extended families
• Common cultural misunderstandings
This is particularly important for sisters living in large or extended family environments.
A detailed study of what Islamic hijab requires.
We explore:
• The purpose of hijab
• Who hijab is required before
• Conditions of Islamic clothing
• Coverage
• Looseness
• Transparency
• Clothing designed to attract attention
• Fashion and modesty
• Colours
• Patterns
• Abayas
• Dresses and trousers
• Cultural clothing
• Whether one particular style of dress is required
The aim is to understand the principles governing hijab, rather than assuming that one cultural style is the only Islamic option.
One of the major areas of scholarly disagreement is covered separately so that it can be studied properly.
Students examine:
• The scholarly discussion concerning the face and hands
• Evidence used by scholars who do not regard covering the face as obligatory
• Evidence used by scholars who regard niqab as obligatory
• The concept of fitnah
• When circumstances may affect rulings
• Niqab as worship
• Avoiding criticism of women following a recognised scholarly opinion
• Why this issue should not become a source of hostility between sisters
The recognised positions are presented respectfully and comparatively.
What does tabarruj actually mean?
This module explores:
• The Qur’anic concept of tabarruj
• Clothing that covers but still attracts attention
• Tight clothing
• Transparent clothing
• Fashion and trends
• Logos and slogans
• Deliberately drawing attention to oneself
• Walking and mannerisms
• Dressing beautifully without falling into tabarruj
• Clothing around women versus clothing around non-mahrams
This module helps sisters apply the principles of modest dress beyond simply asking, “Is everything covered?”
Islam does not teach women to abandon beauty.
Instead, it regulates where and how beauty is displayed.
Topics include:
• Make-up
• Perfume
• Jewellery
• Hair styling
• Nail products
• Beautification for a husband
• Beautification among women
• Beautification outside the home
• Visible adornment
• The meaning of zinah
• Differences of opinion regarding particular forms of adornment
We discuss the balance between femininity, beauty and Islamic ḥayā’.
Men and women sometimes need to communicate.
Islam does not pretend that interaction never occurs; instead, it provides boundaries.
We examine:
• Necessary communication
• Professional communication
• Asking and answering questions
• Tone and manner of speech
• Casual chatting
• Friendship between non-mahram men and women
• Flirting
• Emotional attachment
• Lowering the gaze
• Private messaging
• Repeated online communication
• Knowing when ordinary communication has crossed a boundary
This module focuses heavily on practical modern situations.
Ḥayā’ applies online just as much as it applies offline.
This module explores:
• Posting photographs
• Videos and reels
• Profile pictures
• Filters and beautification
• Seeking validation and attention
• Public versus private accounts
• Displaying personal life online
• Influencer culture
• Interaction in comments and direct messages
• Sharing other people’s images
• Protecting privacy
• Digital footprints
• When beneficial online activity can become harmful
Students are encouraged to examine not only what they post, but why they are posting it.
Ḥayā’ should never prevent a woman from learning what she needs to know about her religion or body.
This module addresses:
• Healthy ḥayā’ versus harmful embarrassment
• Asking necessary Islamic questions
• Teaching daughters about puberty
• Menstruation and personal dignity
• Privacy
• Ghusl and personal hygiene
• Female health matters
• Seeking medical treatment
• Speaking to healthcare professionals
• When embarrassment should be overcome because knowledge or treatment is necessary
Islamic ḥayā’ does not mean remaining ignorant about matters a woman needs to understand.
How does a Muslim woman maintain ḥayā’ while studying, working and participating in society?
We discuss:
• Education
• Employment
• Mixed workplaces
• Professional communication
• Meetings
• Travel and public spaces
• Maintaining boundaries
• Clothing at work
• Interaction with colleagues
• Necessary versus unnecessary socialising
• Protecting salah and Islamic identity
• Situations where scholars differ
• Assessing individual circumstances
The focus is practical: applying Islamic principles without pretending every Muslim woman lives under identical circumstances.
The final self-paced module brings the entire course together.
We examine the important difference between Islamic ḥayā’ and cultural shame.
Topics include:
• When culture is presented as religion
• Teaching girls that their bodies are inherently shameful
• Shame surrounding menstruation
• Marriage and female matters
• Asking questions
• Abuse and inappropriate behaviour
• Speaking when something is wrong
• Tawbah after mistakes
• Excessive guilt
• Becoming overly harsh
• Neglecting modesty altogether
• Avoiding both extremes
• Developing ḥayā’ gradually
• Building a lifelong personal plan
Students revisit the major areas studied throughout the programme:
‘Awrah, hijab, niqab, adornment, clothing, speech, non-mahram interaction, social media, female matters, work, culture and personal character.
The aim is to leave the student with a balanced, evidence-based understanding of ḥayā’ that she can actually live by.
The course concludes with a live online teaching session for sisters.
This is not simply a repeat of the recorded material.
The session is designed to bring the entire course together and apply what has been learnt to real situations.
We will cover:
• Key lessons from the complete course
• Areas where sisters commonly become confused
• Revisiting important differences of scholarly opinion
• Practical scenarios involving hijab, clothing and adornment
• Work and study situations
• Social media and online interaction
• Family and non-mahram boundaries
• Balancing modesty without becoming extreme
• Distinguishing Islamic ḥayā’ from cultural expectations
• Questions arising from the course
• Live Q&A
This gives students an opportunity to clarify areas they may have found difficult while completing the self-paced modules.
The main course is self-paced and online.
You can:
Start whenever you are ready.
There is no need to wait for a new intake.
Complete the recorded modules in your own time.
Study around children, work, family and other commitments.
Pause and return whenever needed.
There is no pressure to keep up with a weekly live class.
Access accompanying learning material.
The course includes detailed supporting material to reinforce the lessons and explain important areas of scholarly difference.
Attend the final live teaching session.
After working through the course material, students have the opportunity to attend the final live session, where the learning is consolidated and questions can be addressed.
This course is designed for Muslim women who want to understand ḥayā’ beyond slogans and cultural expectations.
It is particularly beneficial for sisters who:
• Want a clearer understanding of hijab and modesty
• Have questions about differences of scholarly opinion
• Want to understand niqab without arguments or pressure
• Need guidance regarding clothing and beautification
• Want clearer boundaries when dealing with non-mahram men
• Study or work outside the home
• Use social media
• Are raising daughters
• Have struggled to distinguish cultural shame from Islam
• Want to become more modest without becoming harsh or extreme
✓ Full online Fiqh of Ḥayā’ course
✓ 15 detailed self-paced modules
✓ Supporting course material
✓ Comparative scholarly opinions where relevant
✓ Practical modern-day application
✓ Final live teaching session
✓ Live Q&A opportunity
✓ Study from home
✓ Start at any time
✓ Complete the self-paced material in your own time
Sisters only.
