How to Guide My Child When Others Mock Their Faith 

Parenting Perspective 

When a child’s prayer, scarf, or any visible sign of their faith becomes the target of mockery, it can shake both their confidence and their sense of belonging. This is not just simple teasing; it is a form of identity-based hurt, often delivered when adults are not watching. The goal is not to make your child defensive, but to help them respond with dignity, calm faith, and clarity, allowing them to stand firm in who they are without anger or fear. 

Faith-based teasing is more than a social challenge; it is a spiritual test that calls for inner strength. Helping your child to understand this can transform their pain into a sense of purpose. 

Listen Deeply Before Offering Advice 

When your child shares what has happened, resist the urge to give immediate advice or express outrage. Your first role is simply to listen. You might say: 

“That must have been very difficult. Tell me what they said and how it made you feel.” 

Allow them to express any embarrassment, anger, or confusion they are feeling. When you validate their emotions, you reinforce that their faith is a safe part of their identity, not something to be hidden or fought over. 

Connect Faith with Strength, Not Shame 

Remind your child that their faith is not a costume or a label, but a gift. You could say: 

“Your prayer and your scarf are beautiful signs that you remember Allah. That is something to be proud of, never embarrassed by.” 

Children who learn to view their faith as a source of strength handle mockery differently. They are able to respond from a place of calm conviction, rather than wounded pride. 

Practise Calm and Simple Responses 

Coach your child to use short, simple phrases when someone mocks their faith. 

• “This is part of my religion.” 

• “You do not have to believe it, but please do not make fun of it.” 

• Or even, “It is okay if you do not understand.” 

These phrases assert confidence without expressing hostility. Encourage a neutral tone and steady eye contact. Emotional calm has the power to unsettle mockery and uphold dignity. 

Model Quiet Pride at Home 

Let your child see you living your faith with peace and confidence. This means praying without apology, speaking kindly about the beliefs of others, and wearing religious symbols naturally. When faith is practised with serenity at home, a child learns to carry it with honour, not as something that needs to be explained away. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches believers to expect a degree of misunderstanding from the world but to respond with patience, not anger. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ faced mockery for his faith, yet he never compromised his manners or his belief. Teaching your child this balance, to be firm in their conviction but gentle in their response, is to teach them prophetic resilience. 

The Dignity of Calm Withdrawal in the Quran 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al An’aam (6), Verse 68: 

‘And whenever you observe those people who engage in (blasphemous and frivolous) discourse in regard to Our Signs (of the infinite truth), then abstain from them until they start a discourse on other subjects…’ 

This verse teaches the principle of calm withdrawal. This is not a silence born of weakness, but a dignity achieved through disengagement. Your child can learn from this that walking away from mockery is a way to protect their peace and honour their faith. 

Strength Through Patience in Prophetic Teachings 

It is recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 51, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Whoever gives up arguing when he is in the right, a house will be built for him in the middle of Paradise.’ 

This Hadith shows that avoiding a pointless argument is not an act of surrender, but one of spiritual strength that is rewarded by Allah Almighty. When your child chooses composure over confrontation, they are practising this prophetic wisdom. 

When your child faces mockery for their faith, your calm guidance can transform the experience from one of shame into one of strength. They learn that their faith does not require a defence fuelled by anger; rather, it shines through patience, peace, and self-respect. 

Over time, their confidence will grow deeper, rooted not in the acceptance of others but in their connection to Allah Almighty. Through your empathy, example, and reassurance, they will come to understand that carrying their faith proudly and peacefully is one of the most beautiful forms of courage.