Disclaimer
Before discussing how Muslims should respond to verbal attacks, it is vital to remember that our faith in Allah means that insults and mockery cannot harm Him in the least. We should "...not be saddened by those who rush into disbelief..." (3:176) as nothing from Allah's creation can affect him because "...there is none who is His equal" (112:4). He remains exalted and untouched by the ignorance of those who attack His religion. As the Qur’an reminds us "...they will not harm Allah in the least..." (3:176). On other hand they will only harm themselves because "...Allah does not wish to make for them any share in the Hereafter, and they will have a painful retribution" (3:176). This reminder should give believers confidence to respond in accordance with the guidance of the Qur'an.
Don't insult
The Qur'an prohibits insults and ridicule, recognising their destructive consequences. Believers are advised to "...not insult those who call on other than Allah, lest they insult Allah out of ignorance..." (6:108). This serves to prevent unintended consequence from our own speech so we do not accidently become the cause of someone else's transgression against Allah. Similarly, "...let not any people ridicule other people, for they may be better than they..." (49:11).
In modern contexts, this principle applies to online debates where mocking others' beliefs or identities often leads to hostility in return. Respect is a safeguard against escalating hostility and a reminder of human dignity. By refusing to belittle others, the believer protects both their own faith and the integrity of dialogue.
Walking away
There are times when the best response is disengagement. The Qur'an instructs believers "...that if you hear Allah’s revelations being rejected and mocked, then do not sit with them until they move on to another narrative..." (4:140). If the believer fails to remove himself from this conversation, "...then you are like them..." (4:140). This message is repeated when Allah says "...if you encounter those who make fun of Our revelations, then turn away from them until they move on to a different narrative..." (6:68). The Qur'an teaches Muslims to disengage, refusing to legitimise mockery with their presence or participation. The Qur'an teaches us to "...be patient over what they say, and abandon them in a good manner" (73:10). Walking away is not cowardice but courage as it is the more difficult thing to do in such circumstances.
Responding to ignorance
The Qur'an describes the servants of Allah as those "...who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, 'Peace'" (25:63). It further instructs that if the believers "...come across vain talk from such people, they disregard it and say, 'To us are our deeds, and to you are your deeds. Peace be upon you. We do not seek the ignorant.'" (28:55). For Muslims today, this means responding to trolling, misinformation, or deliberate provocation with dignity. A simple 'peace' and respectful disengagement ensure the conflict ends immediately with no loss of face.
Forgiveness
Deliberate verbal provocations from the opponents of Islam are designed to inflame anger. Yet the Qur'an praises those "...who repress
anger, and who pardon the people..." (3:134). This is a praiseworthy action because Allah says He "...loves the good doers" (3:134), and describes the righteous as those who "...when they are angered, they forgive" (42:37). Forgiveness here is not weakness but strength. It frees the believer from resentment and denies the instigator the reaction they seek. Muslims are called to rise above anger and showing that their dignity cannot be shaken by hostility.
How to talk
When dialogue is necessary, the Qur'an tells us how to conduct ourselves.
Believers should take the opportunity when presented to "invite to the path of your Lord with wisdom and good advice, and argue with them in that which is better..." (16:125). If we should respond to insults, then we must take advice from the Qur'an where Allah says the best way to to respond to evil is to "...resort to the one which is better..." (41:34). The wisdom behind this is so that "...the one who used to be your enemy, may become your best friend" (41:34).
Even in the most terrifying encounters, such as when Moses was addressing pharaoh, the command was to "...say to him soft words perhaps he (pharaoh) will remember or be concerned" (20:44). This shows Allah's approach has always remained universal as "...you will not find any change in Our way" (17:77) and "...you will not find any change in the way of Allah" (33:62, 35:43 and 48:23).
In the age of social media, where harsh words and insults spread rapidly, this principle is vital. Wisdom and softness prevent escalation, while harshness fuels the cycle of outrage that such platforms thrive on.
The Prophet's conduct
The Qur'an's guidance was lived by Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him). He embodied wisdom in speech, forgiveness in the face of provocation, and dignity in responding to ignorance. When mocked, he did not retaliate with insults. When attacked verbally, he responded with patience and peace. His conduct was the living example of verses such as "invite to the path of your Lord with wisdom and good advice, and argue with them in that which is better..." (16:125).
It was the greatness of character, which Allah testifies in the Qur'an as "...of a high moral character..." (68:4) which drew people in great numbers to Islam. They saw in him the living Qur’an, a man whose behaviour reflected divine guidance. His ability to rise above hostility and embody mercy made Islam attractive through his example.
Punishments
At this point, it is necessary to address a common source of confusion. Despite the Qur'an's consistent instruction to meet verbal hostility with patience and restraint, certain verses are frequently detached from their context and cited to justify violent reactions. The Qur'an states that the punishment for "those who fight Allah and His messenger, and seek to make corruption in the land, is that they will be killed or crucified or that their hands and feet be cut off from alternate sides or that they be banished from the land; that is for them a disgrace in this world, and in the hereafter they will have a great retribution" (5:33).
Some have interpreted 'corruption' in verse 5:33 to mean that insulting Islam or Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) is punishable by death. This is the basis of the so-called blasphemy laws which exist in certain countries today. In reality, the verse is addressing violent criminals who spread destruction in society affecting people's lives and property, such as armed robbers, terrorists, or those who incite violence against their community. This is not about verbal insults or religious mockery, which the Qur'an consistently instructs believers to meet with patience, forgiveness, and disengagement.
Allah reassures Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) that He "...will relieve you from those who mocked" (15:95) and He warns "...those who harm Allah and His messenger, Allah will curse them in this world and in the hereafter; and He has prepared for them a shameful retribution" (33:57).
These verses remind believers that while they are commanded to show restraint in the face of verbal attacks, Allah Himself has guaranteed justice. Severe punishments are reserved for those who commit violent crimes and spread corruption, not for those who merely insult. This assurance allows Muslims to remain dignified and patient, knowing that ultimate justice belongs to Allah alone.
Verbal versus physical attacks
This article refers specifically to verbal attacks like mockery of the Qur'an, offensive cartoons of Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him), or other public acts of provocation against Islam. The Qur'an instructs believers to respond with peace, wisdom, forgiveness, and disengagement.
However, when people are calling for violence or carrying out physical aggression itself, whether directed at Islam or the individual, the Qur'an categorises this as jihad (physical struggle). In such cases, Muslims are duty‑bound to defend themselves and their community. The Qur'an tells us to "fight in the cause of Allah..." (2:190). However, this command is immediately restricted to fight only "...against those who fight you..." (2:190). To fight any one other than anyone inciting or carrying out violence is deemed to be aggression. Allah clearly prohibits aggression in all forms when He states "...but do not aggress, Allah does not like the aggressors" (2:190). This establishes a clear balance: physical defence is permitted and an obligation when attacked, but aggression is always prohibited.
We will cover jihad in detail in a separate article.
Conclusion
The Qur'an provides Muslims with a clear framework to handle disagreement, disbelief and even mockery: speak with wisdom, forgiveness, refuse insults, walk away from mockery, and respond to ignorance with grace. These principles are not about winning arguments but about preserving and upholding the Qur'an.
Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) lived this guidance, and his conduct drew people in great numbers to Islam. His patience, forgiveness, and dignity made the message attractive; not through force, but through example. If Muslims today embody the same Qur'anic character, they will reflect the true strength of Islam. But when they abandon it and respond with hostility, they risk driving people away from the faith, and even weakening their own community.
Above all, believers can remain confident: no insult, mockery, or attack diminishes Allah’s majesty in the least. Allah is beyond harm, and our role is to embody His guidance with wisdom, restraint, and integrity just as Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) did.