Answer
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
In this fatwa:
Islam does not require uncontrolled anger when the Prophet ﷺ is insulted but encourages protective love expressed through respectful action. Scholars emphasize that remaining indifferent to mockery is spiritually harmful, yet Islam also forbids rage. The ideal response is emotional balance—feeling hurt for Allah’s sake while upholding patience, dignity, and wise objection.
Responding to your question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:
The Prophet’s Response to Mockery: A Role Model for All
Islam teaches us to balance mercy and protective honor. A profound example is the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) response to religious mockery. He endured personal attacks with patience, but when Allah’s religion was insulted, he responded with protective love, not wounded pride:
“Whoever sees evil, let him change it with his hand; if unable, then his tongue; if unable, then his heart — that is the weakest faith.” (Muslim)
The Quran states: {Do not sit with them until they change the topic; otherwise, you are like them.} (An-Nisa’ 4:140)
When Silence Becomes Spiritually Harmful
Remaining spiritually indifferent to religious mockery is not a sign of maturity but rather numbness. Scholars warn that failing to object when capable is spiritually dangerous.
Islam prohibits uncontrolled rage. Prophet Muhammad says: “The strong one controls himself when angry.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
However, emotional discipline should not extinguish your natural passion for your faith — that protective jealousy for religion.
Practical Ways Muslims Can Respond With Wisdom
- Speak up with dignity.
- Walk away from mockery.
- Make Du`a for their guidance.
- Use formal channels when needed.
- Never amplify what you oppose.
True devotion in Islam means feeling hurt for Allah’s sake and taking respectful action out of love for His Messenger (peace be upon him). It is about speaking up with dignity, walking away from mockery, and using formal channels when needed. It’s about acting wisely, not becoming indifferent.
Further perspectives can be found in these fatwas:
- Is Insulting Religion a Major Sin?
- Can I Watch Series With God’s Prophet Depicted?
- Is It Permissible to Depict the Prophets? A Clear Guide
- Simple Life of Prophet Muhammad
Almighty Allah knows best.