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Unlock This CourseBullying and Cyberbullying explained that bullying is repeated behaviour meant to hurt someone, with an imbalance of power, and that it can happen online. This lesson asks how Muslims respond. For Muslims the answer begins with what they believe about people.
As you learned in Allah's Creation and Humans as Khalifah, Muslims believe that Allah created every human being. This means that no person is worth more than another in Allah's eyes. Qur'an 49:13 says that Allah made people into nations and tribes so that they may know one another, and that the most honoured in his sight is the one who is most conscious of him. Muslims take this to mean that being stronger, richer or more popular does not make anyone better. A bully who looks down on someone is therefore forgetting that both are equal before Allah.
Key terms:
This verse tells believers not to let some people mock others, as the ones mocked may be better than them. It also forbids insulting one another and calling each other offensive names. Muslims see this as a clear warning against name-calling, teasing and insults, which are forms of verbal bullying.
A well-known hadith, which Muslims accept as reliable, says that a Muslim is one from whose tongue and hand other Muslims are safe. Muslims understand that a true believer does not hurt people with hurtful words or with violence.
Notice that these teachings cover both words (the tongue) and actions (the hand). That matches the types of bullying you have studied: verbal and physical.
Muslims also think of the ummah as a family. As Muslim Peacemaking, Justice and Forgiveness showed, Qur'an 49:10 says that believers are brothers and sisters in faith. Most people would not want to hurt a member of their own family, so bullying another member of the ummah is seen as a betrayal of that bond. Many Muslims add that kindness should reach everyone, whatever their faith, because everyone is created by Allah.
Muslims are not only taught to avoid bullying. They are taught to act when they see it. A hadith records the Prophet Muhammad telling his followers to help their brother whether he is the wrongdoer or the one who is wronged. When asked how to help a wrongdoer, he answered that you help him by stopping him from doing wrong.
Muslims may differ on how to do this. Some stress speaking up gently to the person who is bullying. Others stress telling a trusted adult or leader, or reporting it to the right people, especially when someone is in danger. Muslims are taught not to stay silent.
Working towards a peaceful society matters greatly to Muslims. Muslim Peacemaking, Justice and Forgiveness showed that Muslims are taught to make peace. Bullying breaks peace on a small scale, in homes, friendship groups and online. A society where people feel safe, respected and included is closer to the peace that Muslims are taught to work for. Muslims therefore see tackling bullying as part of their duty to build a fair and peaceful community, and as a way of pleasing Allah.
Inclusion, as Bullying and Cyberbullying explained, means leaving nobody out. Muslims point to the belief that all people are equal before Allah, and to Qur'an 49:10 and 49:13, to argue that no one should be shut out for being different. Muslim teachings suggest these solutions:
Cyberbullying. The Qur'an and hadith were revealed long before the internet, but Muslims apply their principles to it. The warning about mocking and insulting (49:11) applies to hurtful messages and posts. Qur'an 49:12 warns against suspicion, spying and backbiting, which many Muslims apply to spreading rumours online. The hadith about the tongue and hand is applied to what a person types and shares. For Muslims a hurtful post is still harm, even if no one sees the person who sent it.
Paper 1 style. Choose one religion and answer for Islam.
(a) Identify three ways in which a person can bully someone. [3 marks, AO1]
1. Name-calling or insults (1) 2. Hitting or pushing (1) 3. Sending hurtful messages online (1)
(b) Choose one religion. Outline two teachings about bullying in this religion. [4 marks, AO1]
Qur'an 49:11 tells Muslims not to mock or insult others or call them offensive names (1), so teasing and name-calling are not allowed (1). A hadith teaches that a Muslim is one from whose tongue and hand others are safe (1), which means a true believer should not hurt people with words or actions (1).
(c) Choose one religion. Explain why Muslims believe they should stand up against bullying. [6 marks, AO1, AO2]
Muslims believe that Allah created every person, so all people are equal before him and nobody has the right to look down on another. A bully breaks this belief. The Prophet taught that a Muslim should help their brother whether he is the wrongdoer or the wronged, and that helping the wrongdoer means stopping him from doing wrong, so Muslims are taught to act and not stay silent. The ummah is seen as a family, so harming another person goes against the bond of believers in Qur'an 49:10. Muslims also believe in working for a peaceful society, and standing up against bullying helps to make people safe and included. For these reasons staying silent is not seen as enough.
(d) "Standing up for the person bullied is more important than punishing the bully." Evaluate this statement, showing you have considered different points of view. In your answer you should refer to at least one religion. [12 marks, AO1, AO2]
For: the hadith tells Muslims to help the wronged; the person bullied needs safety first; Muslims are taught not to stay silent; bystanders who speak up can end bullying quickly. Against: the hadith also says to help the wrongdoer by stopping him, so dealing with the bully matters too; Qur'an 49:11 and the tongue and hand hadith place responsibility on the person who harms; stopping the bully prevents future victims; Humanists stress fair rules and consequences as well as empathy. Judge each point and cover the words "more important" and "punishing". Possible conclusion: Muslim teaching asks for both: protect the wronged first, and help the wrongdoer by stopping them, so the statement is only partly true.
In a "Choose one religion" answer, name the teaching (for example Qur'an 49:11), say what it means, then link it to bullying.