What should my child do if the bully blocks doorways or corridors? 

Parenting Perspective 

When a bully blocks a doorway or a corridor, they are not just being mischievous; they are using physical space to demonstrate power. This is a form of intimidation intended to make your child feel trapped, anxious, and small. This is not a simple playground misunderstanding. Your goal is to teach your child how to respond calmly, safely, and strategically, without escalating the danger or internalising their fear. You want them to walk through their school knowing that their body and their freedom of movement deserve respect. 

Naming the Behaviour 

Children often downplay these encounters, saying things like, ‘They just stand there.’ It is important to help your child name the behaviour clearly for what it is: blocking or intimidation. Identifying it correctly helps them to recognise that this is not a normal interaction and that they are not at fault. 

You can explain gently, ‘They are trying to make you feel powerless, but you still have choices.’ When children can accurately label a behaviour, they begin to regain a sense of emotional control. 

Prioritising Safety over Confrontation 

Teach your child that their main goal in such a situation is to exit safely, not to engage in an argument. They do not need to prove their courage by confronting someone who is intentionally blocking their path. They can say calmly, ‘Please move. I need to get through.’ 

If the person continues to block them, they should step back and take an alternative route, or walk towards an adult or a group of people. You can rehearse this at home, practising the words in a steady tone that is neither fearful nor angry. Remind them that seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but an act of wisdom. 

Using Neutral Body Language 

Teach your child how to stand tall, avoid prolonged eye contact which can feel confrontational, and keep their movements deliberate. A posture with shoulders back, combined with slow breathing and a steady pace, can signal confidence. You might say, ‘Your body can show calm, even if your heart is racing.’ Bullies often feed on visible distress, and a calm posture can quietly reclaim a sense of personal power. 

The Importance of Reporting 

Explain to your child that physical blocking is a safeguarding issue, not mere teasing. Help them to memorise what to say to a teacher or head of year: ‘Someone keeps blocking me in the corridor and will not let me pass.’ 

Remind them that they are not ‘getting anyone in trouble’; they are protecting their right to feel safe. Reporting is not tattling; it is an act of self-respect. 

Establishing Safe Routes and Allies 

If possible, plan alternative routes between classes that pass by the school office or other areas with staff visibility. Help them to identify one or two classmates who could walk with them. Even silent companionship can reduce the risk, as bullies tend to prefer isolated targets. If the behaviour happens repeatedly, you should inform the school formally and in writing, providing details of the time, location, and people present. 

Restoring Calm After an Incident 

Incidents of blocking can trigger a fight-or-flight response. When your child comes home shaken, begin with reassurance, not analysis. Simple phrases like, ‘You are safe now,’ and, ‘You did the right thing by walking away,’ can be very comforting. Later, you can help them to release the stress through deep breathing, prayer, or physical activity. Fear can be released from the body through movement and a return to safety, often more effectively than through talking alone. 

Courage does not always look like confrontation; sometimes it is found in steady composure and the wisdom to choose safety without shame. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam forbids all forms of intimidation and teaches that both honour and personal space belong to every person. Blocking a person’s path or causing them fear is a moral and spiritual wrong. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ described removing harm from the road as an act of charity, which means that even the smallest obstruction matters to Allah Almighty. Helping your child to walk freely and safely is therefore both an act of practical care and an act of faith. 

The Sanctity of Safety in the Noble Quran 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Hajj (22), Verse 77: 

‘You who are believers, bow down, and prostrate, and worship your Sustainer, and undertake goodness (in all your actions), so that you may be successful.’ 

This verse connects goodness with action. ‘Doing good’ includes ensuring that others can move safely and live without fear. It reminds us that faith is not only expressed in prayer but also in creating safety for others. 

The Prophet’s ﷺ Teaching on Character 

It is recorded in Riyadh Al Saliheen, Hadith 1734, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘A believer is not a slanderer, nor a curser, nor is he obscene or vulgar.’ 

This hadith, while focused on speech, establishes a core principle: the character of a believer is defined by the safety they afford to others. Obstructing or intimidating someone physically violates this principle just as surely as verbal abuse does. It teaches us that dignity lies not in confrontation but in staying true to respectful conduct, even when faced with unkindness. 

When a bully blocks a doorway, your child’s calm exit and truthful report become acts of quiet bravery. You are teaching them that true strength is not loud or reactive, but steady, strategic, and rooted in self-respect. 

Through practice, faith, and your support, they will learn to move through those same corridors not with fear, but with composure, knowing that dignity, like safety, is a right granted by Allah Almighty Himself.