Parenting Perspective 

When a teacher shows favouritism towards wealthy students by offering them more praise or extra opportunities, it can create a deep sense of injustice in other children. A child who feels disadvantaged by their family’s financial standing may start to believe that effort and character are less important than wealth and privilege. 

Feelings of Inferiority and Exclusion 

Children in this situation can feel overlooked or invisible in the classroom. When they see their own hard work go unrecognised while wealthier classmates receive constant attention, they may begin to doubt their own worth and abilities. 

A Loss of Motivation to Learn 

A child might begin to think, ‘Why should I even try if the teacher only pays attention to those with money?’ This damaging mindset can lead to a loss of motivation, which can affect their academic performance and their confidence in the long term. 

The Risk of Fostering Resentment 

Favouritism can also poison the classroom environment by fuelling resentment. A child may grow bitter towards both the teacher and the favoured students, which can harm relationships and erode their trust in the school system. 

How to Support Your Child at Home 

Parents can provide essential support to counteract these negative feelings. 

• Listen with empathy and validate their feelings if they express that a situation feels unfair. 

• Affirm that true value lies in effort, honesty, and perseverance, not in wealth or status. 

• Encourage resilience by reminding them that life’s injustices can be faced with strength and dignity. 

• If the problem is serious, consider respectfully addressing your concerns with the teacher to ensure a fair environment for all pupils. 

By reinforcing your child’s self-worth at home, you can help them rise above the sting of favouritism. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam establishes justice and fairness as non-negotiable values. When wealth is treated as a measure of a person’s status or worth, it directly contradicts the principles of equality and sincerity that Allah Almighty commands us to uphold. 

The Uncompromising Principle of Justice 

The Quran commands believers to stand for justice under all circumstances, regardless of who is involved. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Nisa (4), Verse 135: 

‘ O you who are believers, remain upright in upholding justice, bearing witness (to such actions) for the sake of Allah (Almighty); even if it goes against your own interest, or that of your parents, or your close relatives…’ 

This verse teaches that justice must be upheld impartially, without being influenced by wealth, power, or personal relationships. 

Prophetic Warning Against Favouring the Rich 

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ warned that a key reason for the destruction of nations past was their failure to apply justice equally to the rich and the poor. 

It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 6787, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Those before you were destroyed because they used to inflict legal punishments on the poor and forgive the rich.’ 

This hadith shows that favouring the wealthy is a grave injustice that has the power to corrode a society from within. 

When parents root their child’s self-worth in the Islamic values of justice, sincerity, and righteousness, they empower them to see that wealth does not determine honour. This nurtures resilience, teaching children that Allah values effort and faith above all else, which gives them the strength to face unfair treatment with dignity.