Shame, Modesty, and Honor in Islam

With a particular emphasis on definitions, continuities, and change, this edited volume examines the historical role and function of haya' - or feelings of shame, modesty, and honor - in Islamic theology and law, as well as exploring contemporary Muslims' engagements with the concept.Divided into three parts, the book explores various conceptions of haya' and the practises associated with the concept in both Muslim majority and minority context.The contributors reveal how haya' is socially constructed in varying social and cultural contexts. They consider how conceptions of haya' are built and re-produced through processes where the naming, idea, and meanings of haya' shift across different regions.From medieval Islam to the modern day, this book demonstrates that the concept of haya' has undergone profound transformations both temporally and spatially, and furthers our understanding of the human and social mechanisms behind the phenomenon.