Is charity still charity when it becomes a spectacle?

What shames us is that, in the age of social media, even acts of kindness are recorded, photographed and broadcast. Reels are produced, banners are displayed, and images of vulnerable people are uploaded to monetised platforms, sometimes to attract more donations. What should be a private act of compassion can therefore become a public performance. We may believe that we are serving God, but the truth is that we may not be serving the needy at all - we may simply be publicising our own image.

Charity is undoubtedly a noble act. In Islam, helping those in need is strongly encouraged, but charity is fundamentally about sincerity and human dignity. It should not discriminate on the basis of caste, creed, ethnicity or social status. Whether it provides education, healthcare, food, clothing or employment, its purpose should be to improve human life.

The problem is not simply that photographs are taken. The problem is the commercialisation of compassion. A........

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