How can parents encourage children to use digital spaces to show pride in their Muslim identity without arrogance? 

Parenting Perspective 

In a digital world where self-expression is paramount, young Muslims can often feel torn between two extremes: hiding their Islamic identity altogether, or expressing it in a way that risks bordering on arrogance. The role of parents is to help them nurture a healthy, confident balance. This involves encouraging a sense of pride in Islam as a source of dignity, while simultaneously teaching humility as a core spiritual value. The goal is to help them represent their faith online with sincerity, confidence, and grace. 

Teach Pride as Gratitude, Not Superiority 

Explain to your child that pride in being a Muslim is not about feeling superior to others, but about being deeply grateful for Allah’s guidance. You could advise them: ‘When you share something about your faith online, let your intention be to express shukr (gratitude), not to boast or show off.’ This reframes religious expression as an act of humility, not of ego. 

Encourage Positive Representation 

Guide your children towards sharing content that is beneficial and reflects the beauty of Islam. This could include posting inspiring reminders, beautiful Quranic verses, or examples of kindness and community service, rather than only engaging in debates or criticism. This helps to frame their digital presence as uplifting and inspiring, not as argumentative or self-promoting. 

Warn Against the Trap of ‘Showing Off’ 

Have an open conversation with them about the spiritual danger of riyā (showing off one’s good deeds). You can teach them the importance of self-reflection by encouraging them to ask themselves: ‘Am I posting this good deed to please Allah or to get likes and praise from people?’ This builds the crucial habit of checking one’s intentions. 

Model Humble Pride 

Parents who speak confidently about their own faith, but do so in a respectful and gentle manner, are the most effective teachers. When you explain aspects of your faith like fasting or modesty with humility, you show your children how to balance strength with softness. This provides a practical, real-life example for them to follow. 

By framing digital pride in terms of gratitude, humility, and positive impact, parents can empower their children to shine as Muslims online without falling into the trap of arrogance. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam calls believers to the beautiful challenge of embodying dignity and humility at the same time. While being proud of one’s Muslim identity is a virtuous act of gratitude, arrogance completely negates the spirit of true faith. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Luqman (31), Verses 18: 

‘ And do not turn your cheek from people (in pride and contempt), and do not walk on the Earth in self-glory; indeed, Allah (Almighty) does not love those (people who believe in) self-aggrandizement and boasting.‘ 

This verse is a direct command to avoid arrogance in our conduct. It teaches that pride in one’s faith must never be allowed to transform into contempt or a sense of superiority over others. 

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 91, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘He who has in his heart the weight of a mustard seed of arrogance shall not enter Paradise.’ 

This profound hadith highlights how spiritually dangerous even the smallest traces of arrogance can be. It reminds us that true faith must always be accompanied by humility. 

By connecting the concept of gratitude with the virtue of humility, parents can help their children to see that representing Islam online is both a blessing and a serious responsibility. Over time, they will learn that true honour is found in being a grateful servant of Allah Almighty, not in seeking to establish superiority over His creation.