Parenting Perspective 

When neighbours make taunting remarks about a family’s poverty, it is often the children who are hurt the most deeply. A child’s sense of dignity is still developing, and hearing such cruel words can lead them to believe that their family’s worth is measured by wealth instead of by character. 

The Emotional Wounds of Taunting 

Cruel remarks about a family’s financial situation can inflict deep emotional wounds. 

• Shame and Embarrassment: Children may feel humiliated and start to avoid social interactions out of a fear of being mocked again. 

• A Sense of Inferiority: Constant reminders of what their family lacks can lead to self-doubt, eroding their confidence and pride in who they are. 

• Social Isolation: They may withdraw from others, becoming hesitant to invite friends home or to speak openly about their lives. 

The Behavioural Consequences 

This emotional pain can sometimes lead to negative behaviours. Children may pressure their parents to provide luxuries, believing these will protect them from ridicule. Others may develop resentment towards their own families or try to overcompensate by lying about what they have. 

How to Support a Child’s Dignity 

Parents can protect their child’s spirit with reassurance and a strong sense of family pride. 

• Listen to your child’s feelings with empathy, reminding them that poverty is never a source of shame. 

• Highlight the dignity of honest living and the effort that goes into providing for the family. 

• Celebrate your child’s strengths, kindness, and achievements that have nothing to do with money. 

• Share stories of great individuals who lived with simplicity yet earned the respect and honour of all. 

By nurturing their pride in your family’s values, you can protect your child’s dignity from the harm of shallow taunts. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches that every believer is honoured, regardless of their financial status. Poverty is not a character flaw but a test from Allah, and taunting others for their hardship is a grave sin that destroys community harmony and causes immense pain, especially to children. 

A Quranic Reminder on Human Honour 

The Quran reminds us that human dignity is a gift from Allah to all people, and it cannot be taken away by poverty or the words of others. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Israa (17), Verse 70: 

‘ Indeed, We (Allah Almighty) have honoured the descendants of Adam…’ 

This verse confirms that our dignity is God-given and is not dependent on our wealth. 

The Prophetic Teaching on Respect for the Poor 

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught that in the sight of Allah, the poor who are patient and faithful have a special rank and honour. 

It is recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 4122, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The poor will enter Paradise before the rich by half a day, and that is five hundred years.’ 

This hadith elevates the status of the believing poor, showing that their patience grants them great honour with Allah. 

By teaching children that their true dignity comes from Allah and not from possessions, parents can help them to rise above cruel taunts. This spiritual grounding ensures they grow to be resilient and confident, proud of their identity as believers, regardless of their material circumstances.