Flexing Charity on Social Media: A Thematic Qur'anic Study of Philanthropic Verses
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62730/syaikhuna.v17i01.7862Keywords:
Al-Quran, Philanthropy, Flexing, Sincerity, Social MediaAbstract
The rapid development of social media has transformed philanthropy into highly visible digital self-presentation, giving rise to "charity flexing." While previous research examines this through Islamic law and ethics, comprehensive thematic (maudhu'i) analyses of philanthropic verses remain limited. This study aims to analyze the Qur'anic concept of philanthropy and its relevance to social media flexing. Employing a qualitative library research approach, this study utilizes the thematic interpretation method to collect and analyze verses related to zakat, infaq, sadaqah, and waqf (ZISWAF). The findings reveal that Qur'anic philanthropy is grounded in sincerity, social justice, public welfare, and solidarity. Furthermore, the ethical distinction between commendable digital philanthropy and problematic flexing lies in intention, motivation, and social impact. Publicly displaying charity can boost social awareness and transparency; however, it risks riya’ (ostentation) when driven by self-promotion. This study contributes an integrated ethical framework to understand digital philanthropy and online self-presentation, concluding that digital-era philanthropic practices must balance spiritual sincerity with social responsibility, supported by digital ethical literacy to prevent the normalization of performative charity.Downloads
References
Alfiyah, A. (2016). Metode Penafsiran Buya Hamka Dalam Tafsir Al-Azhar. Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Ushuluddin, 15(1), 25–35.
Amrullah, A. M. A. K. (1990). Tafsir al-azhar. Singapura: Pustaka Nasional.
Anaya, S. (n.d.). Monkey See, Monkey Do: Exploring the Societal Impacts of Social Media through YouTube.
Arifin, Z. (2020). Karakteristik Tafsir Al-Misbah. AL-IFKAR: Jurnal Pengembangan Ilmu Keislaman, 13(1), 282.
Dhifallah, A. (2024). Navigating Dual Commitments: Adherence of Muslim NGOs to Islamic Principles While Integrating Humanitarian Principles-A Case Study on Islamic Relief Worldwide. Hamad Bin Khalifa University (Qatar).
El-Karimah, M. F. (2023). Musibah dalam Tafsir al-Azhar dan Tafsir al-Misbah. Alashriyyah, 9(1), 45–57.
Ferrari, D. M. (2026). Art in the Age of the Empathy Crisis: Social Media, Empathy, & Moral Panic in the Mediated-Moral-Affective-Economy of Contemporary Public-Facing Art. Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, School of Graduate Studies.
Fitria, T. N. (2025). Linguistic Strategies of Religious Framing in Islamic Crowdfunding Platforms. Jurnal Ilmiah Ekonomi Islam, 11(05).
Hasibuan, R., Ghianovan, J., & Ash, A. (2025). Dialektika Pendekatan Normatif dan Kontekstual dalam Penafsiran Rezeki?: Studi Komparatif Tafsir An-Nur dan Al-Misbah terhadap Surah. 27(April), 27–37. https://doi.org/10.22373/substantia.v27i1.29412
Husna, N. (2023). Konten Flexing Bersedekah Dalam Perspektif Hukum Islam (Kajian Tafsir Ahkam). El-Mu’Jam. Jurnal Kajian Al Qur’an Dan Al-Hadis, 3(2), 198–212.
Iktaviani, I. (2018). Nilai-Nilai Pendidikan Kesehatan Jasmani Dan Rohani dalam Al-Qur’an Surah Al-Mudda??ir Ayat 1-7. Skripsi - UNIVERSITAS ISLAM NEGERI WALISONGO SEMARANG.
Kahn, M., Harvey, C., Price, M., & Maclean, M. (2026). The Ethics of Islamic Philanthropy. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly.
Lubis, R. M., & Sazali, H. (2023). Analysis of the Flexing Phenomenon on Social Media from an Islamic Perspective. KOMUNIKA: Jurnal Dakwah Dan Komunikasi, 17(1), 89–102.
Mahdiyin, K. Al. (2025). Cognitive Justice in Islamic Education?: Decolonizing Pedagogical Practices through Tarbawi Tafsir of QS . Al-Alaq?: 1-5. 10(2), 200–220.
Megantari, K., Nugroho, H., & Arymami, D. (2025). Revealing The Indonesian Crazy Rich Prisoner on Social Media: A Multimodal Discourse Analysis. The Qualitative Report, 30(3), 3342–3370.
Putri, N. K., Mumtazah, S. A., & Agustin, E. (2022). The Influence of Social Media on Flexing Culture Phenomenon in Indonesian Society. Prosiding Konferensi Ilmiah Pendidikan, 3, 603–610.
Rachman, A., Sangare, B., Suardi, D., Jamaludin, N., Azwar, M., Simatupang, A. D. R., Karim, S. I., Aprianto, M. R., & Rizky, T. M. (2024). ‘Flexing’and its Implications for Religious and Social Life Among Indonesian Muslim Millennials. Cakrawala: Jurnal Studi Islam, 19(2), 62–71.
Rochmah, N. H., & Munir, A. (2023). Interpretation of the Quran With a Philantrophic Approach (Tafsir At-Tanwir Study By Majelis Tarjih Dan Tajdid Pp Muhammadiyah). QiST: Journal of Quran and Tafseer Studies, 2(3), 310–330.
Santoso, F. S., Takahashi, H., & Reyes, M. C. (2025). Islamic Philanthropy 5.0: Harnessing Big Data And AI For Zakat, Waqf, And Infaq Optimization. Journal Islamic Economic Minangkabau, 3(4), 205–214.
Shihab, M. Q. (2002). Tafsir al-misbah. Jakarta: Lentera Hati, 2, 52–54.
Shin, L. (2026). Three Drivers of High-Risk Speculation Among Younger Adults: Moral Stigma, Insufficient Financial Curriculum, and Social Media Influence. Insufficient Financial Curriculum, and Social Media Influence (January 15, 2026).
Solikhin, H. N., Sihono, R. F., & Sari, D. R. (2025). Epistemologi Qur ’ ani dalam Integrasi Akal dan Wahyu?: Rekonstruksi Fungsi Ilmu Pengetahuan dalam Pendidikan Islam.
Torraco, R. J. (2016). Writing integrative literature reviews: Using the past and present to explore the future. Human Resource Development Review, 15(4), 404–428.
Udasmoro, W. (2025). Sign Value in the Institutionalised Luxury Lifestyle Ecosystem in Indonesia. Digital Indonesia: Inclusion and Equality in Gender, Sexuality, Religion, Ecology, and Disability• Volume 1, 36.
Uddin, S., Khondoker, A., & Abuzar, M. (2024). Ethical Curriculum Development?: Insights From Islamic Epistemology Towards Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ). 25(2), 273–286.
Wartini, A. (2014). Corak penafsiran M. Quraish Shihab dalam tafsir al-Misbah. HUNAFA: Jurnal Studia Islamika, 11(1), 109–126.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Riska Nur Hidayati, Musholli Musholli
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
