Social Phenomenon and Legal Implications for Fiqh – Darul Ma’arif Islamic Boarding School

Darulmaarif.net – Indramayu, May 4, 2025 | 08.00 WIB

In the current digital era, social media has become a space for expression as well as income fields for some Indonesian people. One of the phenomena that is quite alarming is the rise of content TikTokers beg onlinenamely individuals who pretend to be poor, show excessive sadness, or use the sympathy of the audience to obtain present Or saweran money directly from the audience through applications such as Tiktok Live.

This phenomenon not only raises social unrest, but also raises a serious question in terms of Islamic law: Is the practice classified as a forbidden begging (Su’āl)? What is the view of Fiqh on the income earned from the results of this online begging? And what are the moral and spiritual implications for Muslims?

Phenomenon begging online and its reality

Begging in digital form is certainly different from conventional practice on the streets. But in essence, there is an essential similarity: requests for assistance openly without legal reasons. Some content even polished dramatically to arouse empathy, even though financially the culprit was not lacking

The views of the Qur’an and the hadith Prophet

Islam glorifies hard work and denounces begging without urgent needs. In the Qur’an Surah at-Taubah verse 105, Allah SWT ordered humans to work and try. Many more commands of Allah SWT so that we work and try.

And say: whether you, and God will see your actions, messengers, and people -believe.

Meaning: “And say: ‘Work, then the messengers and messengers and people -believe will see your work, and you will be returned to (Allah) who knows that invisible and true, and he tells you what you have done.” (QS. At-Taubah Verse 105)

The word SWT SWT: “And say, ‘Working to you,'” is an order aimed at all humanity. The word Allah is Almighty, “Then Allah and His Prophet and people believe will see your work,” That means everyone will know your actions without being told them. “(Interpretation of Surah Al-Qurthubi At-Taubah Verse 105, [DKI: Beirut])

This verse in interpretation according to Imam Al-Qurthubi is defined as a prohibition on finding food in a way that reduces human dignity.

In another hadith from Abu Hurairah Rodliyallohu ‘Anhu, the Prophet Muhammad also said:

Anyone who asks for people more of their money

Meaning: “Anyone who exceeds the defense of the wealth of others, is indeed like fire. (Muslim HR).

In another hadith of the Prophet (peace on it) says:

In the hadith narrated with ‘Abdullah bin’ Umar Radhiyallahu ‘anhuma, he said: the Prophet said:

The man was still asking people until the day of resurrection arrived, and he was not on his face.

Meaning: “Someone always asks for others (begging) so that he will come on the day of judgment in a state of no flesh on his face.” (Muttafaq ‘alaih)

According to al-Mahlab, the above hadith is a form of insult to people who like to beg. Imam Bukhari gave an understanding that what was meant in the hadith was a person who likes to beg even though it is not in an emergency.

Al -bukhari, may God forgive him, understand that what happens on the day of resurrection is not the flesh on his face from large numbers

Meaning: “Al-Bukhari gave understanding, indeed what came on the day of assessment whose face did not have meat at all was a beggar to enrich himself without an emergency element. Anyone who requested based on self-enrichment, included [Maktabah ar-Rusyd: Riyadh, 2003]juz 3, page 512)

The two hadiths above emphasize how Islam prohibits the practice of begging without needs, especially if it is only for the sake of worldly benefits.

Fiqh law begging online

In the book of al-Najm al-Wahhâj fi Syarh al-Minhâj, Sheikh Muhammad bin Musa al-Damiri quoted the words of Ibn al-Shalah explained:

Ibn Al -Utara said: the question is prohibited by insult, urgency, and abuse of officials

Meaning: “Ibn al-Sholah says: The law is illegal in terms of self-humiliating elements, repeating and hurting the feelings of their loved ones.” (Muhammad bin Musa al-Damiri, al-Najm al-Wahhâj fi Syarh al-Minhâj, [Beirut: Dâr al-Minhâj]Juz 6 Page 478]

Imam al-Ghazali Di Ihya ‘Ulum al-Din Also emphasized that the honor of a Muslim is more important than just getting wealth, and begging without desires is classified as defaming himself inwardly and born.

Meanwhile, Imam Abu Hamid Muhammad bin Muhammad Al-Ghozaly in Roudlotut Tholibin WA ‘Umdatus Salikin reminded beggars as follows:

Anyone who asks him to have power in his day, then he cuts the path on the weak

Meaning: “Whoever begged, even though he has a staple food for one day, it is the same as robbing weak and poor people.”

The words of Imam Al-Ghozaly hinted that begging without urgent needs, especially when still having enough to meet basic needs, comparable to the act of robbing against weak and poor individuals.

Fiqh’s legal implications for TikTokers begging online

From the point of view of fiqh, the practice of online begging carried out:

1. Without urgent needs,
2. By creating a dramatic narrative or a lie,
3. To get material from the audience,

then classified Haram According to the majority of the opinions of the ulama. In fact, if accompanied by lies or visual manipulation (for example pretending to be disabled or hungry), then the punishment can increase in the category of gharar (fraud), which is prohibited in transactions and acts of error.

What about the money received?

The money received from saweran for begging online is included in the category of assets obtained from the path that is doubtful (doubtful), it can even be haram if the intention and way of bathil. So it is better, if someone has already accepted and realized his mistake, should:

• Repent with Almighty SWT,
• Stop similar content (begging online),
• Distribute part of income for alms as a form of social peraubatqn.

In conclusion, begging still begging, even in live streaming format. Islam does not prevent the poor to be helped, but forbid people who are able to find food with their own hands but instead choose to be an object of pity. Let’s remember the Prophet’s message:

High hands are better than the bottom hand

Meaning: “The hand above (giving) is better than the hand below (who asks).” (HR. Bukhari and Muslim)

Hope it is useful. Wallohu a’lam.