The Qur’an forewarns believers that they may be subjected to much vilification, taunt or mockery from those who do not share their faith:

‎وَلَتَسْمَعُنَّ مِنْ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ وَمِنْ الَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا أَذًى كَثِيرًا وَإِنْ تَصْبِرُوا وَتَتَّقُوا فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ مِنْ عَزْمِ الأُمُورِ

“You will surely hear much that is offensive from those who were given scripture before you, and from the idolaters. But if you persevere patiently and fear God, then such are weighty factors in all affairs.” [Q.3:186]

What this verse teaches us is that, as is often the case, with the inbreak of truth comes the outbreak of violence. When faith takes root in the soil of Godlessness or heedlessness, there will be stiff and bitter opposition to it; particularly in the form of verbal abuse and false propaganda. For insults, scorn and contempt tend to be the common man’s weapon of choice in the reaction to the inbreak of truth, as it doesn’t involve the level of commitment inherent in physical violence.

The key, however, is to dignify such animosity and taunts with patience, perseverance, obedience to God, mindfulness of His limits, wisely seeking to restore rights or rectify wrongs and injustices, and an unshakeable trust that actually all is unfolding according to the Divine plan.

Wa’Llahu wali al-tawfiq.