What should parents say if a child asks, ‘Why would Allah allow me to see something so bad online?’ 

Parenting Perspective 

When a child encounters something harmful online and asks, ‘Why would Allah allow me to see this?,’ it is a profound question of faith that deserves a thoughtful and compassionate answer. This is not a moment for dismissal, but an opportunity to deepen your child’s understanding of tests, free will, and the wisdom behind Allah’s divine plan. 

Validate Their Sincere Question 

It is important to first validate their question and praise their thoughtfulness. You could say: ‘That is a very good and important question, and I am glad that you are thinking about Allah in this way.’ This reassures your child that their curiosity is not wrong, and that our faith welcomes sincere and honest questioning. 

Explain the Nature of This World as a Test 

You can gently explain that Allah does not place harmful content in front of us because He wants us to be harmed, but because this world is a place of tests and choices. Just as a student in school is given challenges to show what they have learned, this life also contains situations where we must actively choose what is right. 

Differentiate Between Seeing and Seeking 

Help your child to understand the crucial difference between accidentally seeing something and deliberately seeking it out. Explain that there is no sin in accidental exposure. The real test is not in what we happen to see, but in what we do in the moments that follow. This clarifies their responsibility without making them feel needlessly guilty. 

Focus on the Response as the Real Test 

Guide them to see that their response is what truly matters. The test is whether we choose to turn away immediately, to remember Allah, and to protect our hearts, or whether we allow the harmful content to linger in our minds. By responding correctly, we pass the test and grow stronger in our faith. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches that life is a series of tests designed to strengthen our faith and purify our hearts. By giving this perspective, parents can reassure their child that Allah did not intend to harm them, but rather, allowed a moment of testing from which they can emerge with greater wisdom and closeness to Him. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Ankaboot (29), Verses 2: 

‘ Does mankind make the assumption that by saying “We have believed”, they will be discharged (from any responsibility); and they will not face any tribulations?‘ 

This verse reminds us that a core part of having faith is being tested in our convictions. These tests, which can include what we see and experience, are what allow us to demonstrate the sincerity of our belief and to turn back to Allah. 

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2998, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The believer is not stung from the same hole twice.’ 

This teaching shows that when a believer has a harmful experience, they are expected to learn from it. They use that knowledge to protect themselves more carefully in the future, which is a sign of wisdom and spiritual growth. 

By responding to their child’s question with this framework, you can help them to understand that their experience was not a punishment, but a test. With the right response, which includes seeking protection, remembering Allah, and learning from what happened, they are not weakened by the experience, but are in fact growing stronger and more resilient in their faith.