How to Deal with Internet Trolls

The best medicine for a troll is simple: don't feed them.

"And when the ignorant address them, they say words of peace." — Surah Al-Furqan (25:63)

What Exactly Is an Internet Troll?

A troll is someone who has no interest in respectful discussion. They swear, lie, make statements they know to be false, and provoke arguments over trivial issues purely for the reaction it gets them. They often target people over their religion, race, country, gender, or politics — and Islamic websites are frequent targets for exactly this kind of behaviour.

Please don't become a victim of one. A troll online is really no different from a low-IQ, cowardly bully at school — their goal is to hurt you emotionally by posting lies and hatred about you, your race, or your religion. Don't give them the satisfaction of taking it personally.

🧠 Why Trolls Behave This Way

Research into online behaviour backs up what most people sense instinctively. Psychologist Dr Jennifer Golbeck summarised it plainly:

"Internet trolls are narcissists, psychopaths and sadists. Trolls will lie, exaggerate and offend, to get a response." — Dr Jennifer Golbeck, Psychology Today, 18 September 2014

Studies from 2013 and 2014 found genuine links between online trolling and what psychologists call the "dark triad" of personality traits — a tendency toward manipulation, a lack of empathy, and even everyday sadism. In plain terms: trolls generally aren't reachable through reason, don't feel remorse the way most people do, and often struggle to form real relationships offline. None of that is your problem to fix.

A Few Realities Worth Accepting

Trolls are immune to logic — no argument, however sound, will change their mind
They don't feel remorse the way you or I would; hurting someone else's feelings is often the entire point
They gain energy specifically from your anger or insults — reacting emotionally is what keeps them coming back
The only reliable way to deal with a troll is to ignore them, or remove their ability to post entirely

🕊️ The Islamic Response

If someone uses vulgar language, don't respond with vulgar language. People who resort to swear words, racist remarks, and hateful comments are, plainly, people with very little self-control and even less knowledge. Many who post hateful comments about Islam genuinely don't understand what they're criticising — a professor of cardiology doesn't waste time debating heart surgery with a taxi driver, and similarly, there's little value in debating someone whose mind is already sealed shut.

The better approach is simply to invite them toward the truth, and leave the rest between them and Allah. There are, after all, far more non-Muslims who are kind, curious, and fair-minded than there are trolls making noise — don't let a loud minority distort that picture.

"The strong person is not the good wrestler. Rather, the strong person is the one who controls himself when he is angry." — Prophet Muhammad ﷺ [Sahih al-Bukhari]

Treat everyone you meet with kindness and politeness. Every person carries some burden — a smile or a kind word can make a real difference in someone's day, even a stranger's. When someone is rude, respond politely anyway. That consistency of good character is the entire point: your purpose is to spread kindness, not just to the people who are kind to you, but especially to the ones who aren't.

— Dr Ahmed Adam