Parenting Perspective 

When a child’s peers flaunt branded bags or shoes, it can trigger an immediate sense of social comparison. Even if a child was perfectly content with their own belongings just moments before, seeing others display expensive items can stir up feelings of envy. This often happens because children are still developing their sense of self, and they can easily link their worth to the approval of others. 

The Emotional Impact of Insecurity 

Children may begin to question their own value when their possessions are not as ‘impressive’ as those of their peers. This insecurity can make them feel excluded, especially if other children openly admire the branded items. Over time, this can damage their self-esteem, leading them to doubt whether they are good enough without owning the same things. 

The Risk of Negative Behaviour 

Envy and insecurity can lead to harmful behaviours. 

• Constant Demands: A child might begin to pressure their parents to buy similar branded items, creating financial stress and conflict at home. 

• Social Withdrawal: Some may start to avoid their peers to escape the embarrassment of having simpler belongings. 

• Dishonesty: In some cases, children may feel tempted to exaggerate or lie about what they own to protect their social standing. 

Creating a Strain on Peer Relationships 

Flaunting possessions can distort the meaning of friendship. Instead of bonding over shared interests and values, children may start to judge one another based on material status. This weakens trust, creates division, and fosters jealousy where there should be warmth and companionship. 

How Parents Can Respond 

Parents can help their children navigate these feelings with understanding and guidance. 

• Acknowledge your child’s feelings of envy without shaming them, and teach them that these emotions are natural but can be managed. 

• Encourage gratitude by discussing blessings that go beyond possessions, such as health, family, and faith. 

• Remind them that possessions do not measure a person’s dignity by sharing stories of resilience and simplicity. 

• Model humility in your own life, showing them that your self-worth is not tied to material labels. 

These steps help children to redirect their focus from shallow comparisons to a more meaningful sense of self-respect. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam issues a strong warning against envy (hasad) and the arrogance that often comes from flaunting one’s wealth. Envy is a destructive emotion that not only harms the person who feels it but also erodes the love and unity that should exist between believers. 

The Quranic Reminder on Envy 

The Quran teaches that when we see differences in blessings, we should not feel envy but should instead turn to Allah and ask from His bounty. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Nisa (4), Verse 32: 

‘ And do not begrudge what benefactions have been given by Allah (Almighty), some of you instead of others; for the men is a share of what they have earnt (through their hard work), and for the women, is a share of what they have earnt (through their hard work); and (if you wish for more) ask Allah (Almighty) from His benefactions (to give you more)…‘ 

This verse guides us to replace feelings of envy with supplication and gratitude. 

The Prophetic Warning Against Envy 

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ warned that envy is a spiritually corrosive force that destroys a person’s good deeds. 

It is recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 4210, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Beware of envy, for indeed envy consumes good deeds just as fire consumes wood.’ 

This hadith reminds us that envy harms the one who feels it, not the one who is envied, by destroying their spiritual rewards. 

Parents can nurture resilience in their children by reminding them that true richness is found in being content with what Allah has given them. This grounds their worth in their character and faith rather than in possessions, helping them to avoid envy and to grow into secure, grateful, and dignified individuals.