Life under the coronavirus lockdown is surely hard. While some of us spend time in a much congenial manner, others are tormented through distress and poverty. Undoubtedly, the economic meltdown in our country from the COVID-19 pandemic has dragged several to a point, where they have to beg to keep themselves alive. In times of such crisis, it is our responsibility to help the poor with respect, rather than showing off on bestowing donations.
As of now, the COVID-19 pandemic has infected more than 1,800,000 people, causing 114,332 deaths, globally.
Leave cameras at home when helping
Over the past few days, twitter has been flooding with tweets highlighting the grave reality of people taking selfies while giving donations.
بیمار اور نادار لوگوں کی مدد کرنا بہت سے بھلاوں کو ٹال دیتا ہے۔
آگے بڑھیں اور غریبوں کی مدد کریں لیکن نمود و نمائش، تصویر بنانے ، ویڈیوں بنانے سے گریز کریں۔ #HelpPoorWithRespect pic.twitter.com/zePMhh46Bz— M.A Afridi (@Draneesafridi) April 11, 2020
آپ ان تصویروں کو غور سے دیکھیں تو آپ کو خود ہی سمجھ آجائے گا دینے والے کے چہرے پر خوشی ہوتی ہے تو لینے والے کی نظریں جھکی ہوئی ہوتی ہے۔ pic.twitter.com/DMpyCpsdTL
— Naila Qureshi (@NailaQureshi111) April 11, 2020
In the name of charity, and helping out the poor, people are actually taking pictures as if this were a competition. Precisely, what’s going on nowadays is, prior to doing something for the needy, people fetch for a camera to take a selfie with the needy. Following, the picture goes on social media platforms only to satisfy the hunger of ego for certain likes and praises. As awkward as it sounds, we fail to realize that the one taking alms is not doing on purpose. The circumstances have brought them to this stage.
Moreover, this also makes us think that if we are so needy for attention and ego-boosting, how many of us will actually help if the camera’s eye is not on us?
Most certainly, there are a lot of us who carry out many charities but never show off. For them, they truly honor the essence and meaning of Sadaqah.
What Islam has to preach
Sadly, this proves our fallibility in preserving the true essence of humanity. We must remember that the personal sacrifice of giving one’s possessions, no matter how small, for the sake of helping those in need is a blessing and means purifying our souls and wealth. From a drop of water to gardens of fruit.
Image: Twitter
Imparting light on this issue, our Holy Quran says: “If you disclose your charitable expenditures, they are good. But if you conceal them, and give them to the poor, it is better for you. And Allah will remove from you, some of your misdeeds…” (Al-Baqarah 2:271)
“Those who (in charity) spend of their goods by night and by day, in secret and in public have their reward with their Rabb On them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve.” (Qur’an, 2:274)
Rather than falling prey to satisfying our ego, and for some likes and unworthy praise, we must make our Allah happy. Money isn’t enough to fight poverty effectively. Our intentions must be pure, about what to do and what not to.
What do you think of this story? Tell us in the comments sections below.
