How should parents address casual joking or memes made with Islamic content that circulate online? 

Parenting Perspective 

Explain Why Respect Matters 

Children and teenagers often share or laugh at Islamic memes without fully realising the potential harm. A parent should gently explain that while humour is a good thing, using verses from the Quran or hadith for jokes can weaken the respect we should have for them. Saying, ‘When we treat sacred things casually, it can make them feel less important in our hearts, and that can affect our iman,’ helps a child to understand the issue without feeling shamed. 

Encourage Discernment and Critical Thinking 

A parent can encourage their child to pause and reflect before sharing something: ‘Does this make me feel closer to Allah, or does it make me feel more casual about His words?’ Teaching them to evaluate content with this filter helps to nurture a sense of responsibility. It is also helpful to point them towards uplifting Islamic content, showing them that faith can be presented in an engaging way without being disrespectful. 

Model Dignity in the Digital Space 

When children see their own parents avoiding disrespectful jokes and memes, they learn that digital dignity is a part of everyday Muslim character. A family can discuss how protecting our adab online is just as important as it is in person. This teaches children that while reverence and humour can coexist, sacred topics must always be handled with care. 

Spiritual Insight 

Ridicule is Unbefitting for a Believer 

The Quran explicitly warns believers against ridiculing others. This principle extends even more so to the symbols of our faith. Mocking sacred things, even in a casual way, is not a befitting characteristic and can damage the humility within the heart. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Hujuraat (49), Verse 11: 

‘ Those of you who are believers, do not let a nation ridicule another nation, as perhaps it may be that they are better than them…’ 

The Danger of Disrespectful Humour 

The prophetic tradition teaches us to be extremely cautious about the type of humour we engage in. Jokes that rely on falsehood or treat sacred matters with disrespect are considered spiritually damaging and must be avoided. 

It is recorded in Jami Tirmidhi, 2315, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Woe to him who tells lies to make people laugh. Woe to him, woe to him.’ 

Reverence Must Always Come First 

By explaining why respect is so important, guiding children to be more discerning, and modelling dignity in their own online behaviour, parents can help them navigate the world of memes and jokes without trivialising their faith. This helps them to learn that while good humour is permissible, the reverence due to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ must always come first.