Hadith Commentary: Sahih al-Bukhari 3483

This profound narration from the Book of Prophets in Sahih al-Bukhari contains wisdom transmitted through the chain of prophets, culminating with our Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).

The Nature of Prophetic Inheritance

This saying represents the continuous divine wisdom that Allah bestowed upon all prophets, showing the unity of their essential message regarding moral conduct.

The phrase "which the people have got" indicates this teaching was preserved and transmitted through generations, demonstrating its fundamental importance in all divine revelations.

The Essence of Hayā' (Modesty)

Hayā' is not merely shyness or embarrassment, but a comprehensive moral quality that prevents a person from committing disgraceful acts and encourages noble behavior.

Scholars explain that hayā' is of two types: natural modesty (instinctual) and acquired modesty (through faith and knowledge of Allah).

The Conditional Permission

The statement "then do whatever you like" is not a license for immorality, but rather a rhetorical device emphasizing that one who loses modesty has effectively lost the internal restraint that prevents evil.

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explains this means: "When modesty disappears, nothing remains to prevent one from any evil, so he will do whatever he wishes without restraint."

Practical Implications

This hadith teaches that hayā' is the foundation of Islamic ethics - when preserved, it safeguards all other virtues; when lost, all virtues are endangered.

The scholars emphasize that true hayā' is primarily before Allah, knowing He sees all our actions, which then extends to modesty before people.