Written by: Fizza Mir

Islamic Activism is not a new idea. It didn’t start with protest signs or social media. It started with our Prophet (ﷺ).

He stood alone, challenged injustice, comforted the oppressed, and reimagined a society rooted in mercy and truth — all while staying anchored to Allah.

Islamic Activism: We and our Children Should Be Part of It Too

Allah says in Al-Nisa, Verse 135:

“O you who believe! Stand firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even if against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be against rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow not your hearts, lest you swerve, and if you distort justice or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do.”

Islamic Activism Begins at Home

From an early age we teach our kids to share, to be kind, to do charity, to sympathize with the less fortunate, and be grateful for the blessings they enjoy.

But sometimes I wonder:

Are we preparing them to stand firmly for justice?

Are we preparing ourselves?

Are we brave enough to raise questions, not just pass down answers?

Are we showing our children how to love people and challenge systems?

These aren’t easy questions. But they’re necessary ones.

This reflection is a vital part of raising children grounded in the principles of Islamic Activism.

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and Activism in Islam

It’s not always easy to take a stand, especially when it seems like no one else is standing with you. But in those moments, we’re not alone. We have an incredible example in our beloved Prophet (SAW) — a man who stood for justice, who cared for the oppressed, and who never shied away from the truth, no matter how difficult.

Our Prophet (SAW) wasn’t just compassionate — he was brave. He spoke out when others stayed silent. He stood with the marginalized and challenged the powerful, even when it meant facing rejection and isolation. And that, my friend, is what true activism looks like in Islam — not for recognition, not for praise, but rooted in principle, guided by Allah.

With pride we claim as our heritage the decrees that structurally mandated charity, dismantled slavery, condemned racism, outlawed misogyny and upheld the rights of nature, animals, orphans, widows; all those with little to no societal status or agency.

His actions are foundational to what we now recognize as activism in Islam. But as his ummah, are we committed to the causes that defined his life? Do we truly live by this example?

We know that our Prophet (SAW) was considered an outcast for his social positions. He was hated, isolated, targeted but he always sought guidance from his Creator and carried on. May we have the courage and the strength to challenge the injustices we encounter everyday – within our own families, our communities and our society.

Seek Knowledge to Empower Islam

We know that seeking knowledge of the deen is incumbent on all Muslims, but how do we contextualize that without an understanding of our social/political/cultural/environmental landscape?

Whether we acknowledge it or not, every aspect of our lived experiences is saturated by surrounding socio/political conditions and we cannot engage in meaningful social justice work without an understanding of those conditions.

Islamic Activism thrives when grounded in both religious and worldly knowledge. If we hope to raise children who can identify and counter historical/structural sources of injustice, we must first understand it ourselves.

Recognizing Privilege: A Core Value in Activism in Islam

Gratitude is an essential Islamic principle we teach our children and consistently try to nurture within ourselves. However, being grateful must also encompass a recognition of how such privileges came to be. Identifying our privilege helps us recognize the socio/political structures that work to strip others of theirs.

Gratitude is an essential Islamic principle we teach our children and consistently try to nurture within ourselves. However, being grateful must also encompass a recognition of how such privileges came to be. Identifying our privilege helps us recognize the socio/political structures that work to strip others of theirs.

Introspection and honesty are crucial here! What advantages do you have, that others don’t? Are you male? Are you fair skinned? Are you able bodied? Are you financially stable? Do you speak fluent, unaccented English? Are you a citizen of a Western nation? Do you have access to clean water? Are you benefiting from stolen, occupied land?

Recognizing privilege is not just personal, it is essential to Islamic Activism. It is also important in reminding us to hold ourselves accountable. We cannot ‘stand firmly for justice, even against ourselves’ without interrogating our positioning and identifying our role in upholding structural oppression.

Integrity in Intentions and Islamic Allyship

Most people engage in social justice work with the noblest of intentions; to promote equality, to combat injustice, to fight poverty, to expose racism, to protect the planet etc. However, it’s critical to proceed with humility, and acknowledge and learn from the work being done by the people most engaged with and affected by the issue at hand.

Engaging in good work feels really great – Alhamdulillah, and if we hope to proceed with Allah’s guidance and assistance, it’s important that we constantly check our intentions, reassess our motivations and reaffirm our commitment to serve. Those striving toward activism in Islam must ensure their alliances reflect the values of justice, sincerity, and humility.

Just as good company enhances our character, good allies enhance the integrity and transformative outcomes of social justice work. Chose friends and allies who demonstrate a willingness to listen, learn, grow and put principles ahead of personal ambition.

Hope and Courage: The Spirit of Islamic Activism

There’s no question that the current political climate is terrifying. From the unfathomable violence carried out by despots against their own citizens to Black people being killed with impunity.

Similarly, from an unprecedented rise in Islamophobia to the unchallenged popularity of Trump style fascism, it seems any concept of justice is a distant illusion. But this is the time when our engagement is most crucial.

It is crucial that we teach our children to exercise their agency, to not remain silent, to truly emulate the example of Muhammad (SAW), who through tremendous adversity, strove for peace, justice and equality. This is the very essence of Islamic Activism, to stand, speak, and act even when the path is hard.

Conclusion

May we constantly seek Allah’s guidance as we move forward, may we gain wisdom and clarity in our reasoning, courage and fortitude in our actions, sincerity and success in our goals. Ameen.

May our journey in Islamic Activism continue with sincerity and strength, and may we raise children who carry the torch of activism in Islam with dignity and devotion.

Fizza Mir is a part-time high school teacher with the Peel District School Board and is currently completing her Masters in Social Justice Education at OISE UT. She is the co-founder of Azadi Project, a fair trade fashion brand that helps support female artisans in rural Bangladesh. Fizza has organized and participated in numerous actions related to; anti-war organizing, environmental justice, civil liberties, anti-poverty work and youth engagement.