Flexing, aka showing off wealth, is currently being carried out by the community. Artists, YouTubers, celebgrams, and influencers from various platforms seem to be competing to upload posts that show how much they have.
From the flexing phenomenon, finally the term crazy rich became more popular, namely a title aimed at people with abundant wealth.
Then, what is the Islamic view of this flexing phenomenon? Come on, find out the answer!
The Flexing Phenomenon aka Showing Off Wealth on Social Media
In the Merriem-Webster dictionary, flexing is a slang term in American English that means to show off. This term has appeared among the people of Uncle Sam's country since the 1990s, and one of them is included in the lyrics of the song Was A Good Day which was popularized by rapper Ice Cube.
Over time, its use is increasingly widespread until today. Along with the popularity of the term crazy rich, many people seem to be increasingly competing to get the title. The ease of information technology makes it easy for perpetrators to show wealth in the form of provocative content.
This act of showing off wealth can be in the form of small things such as uploading photos of food bills with fantastic nominal values, displaying piles of money, luxury homes, and expensive vehicles. On a more extreme scale, the perpetrators even openly disclose their total wealth in order to get a response from the public.
What is the Islamic View on Flexing?
Flexing is generally an attitude of showing off possessions with the aim of getting praise from others. In Islam, this action includes riya ', which is arrogant and too proud of oneself. This is clearly prohibited in Islam, as written in Surah Al-Ma'un verses 1-7.
A ra'aitallażī yukażżmother bid-dn. Fa ālikallażī yadu'ul-yatīm. Wa lā yahddu 'alā ta'āmil-miskīn. Fa wailul lil-musallin. Allażīna hum 'an salātihim sāhụn. Allażīna hum yurā'ụn. Wa yamna'ụnal-mā'ụn.
Meaning: "Do you know (people) who deny religion? So that is the person who rebukes the orphans, and does not encourage feeding the poor. So woe to those who pray, (that is) those who are negligent in their prayers, who do riyaa, and reluctant to (provide) help." (Surat al-Maun: 1-7).
Characteristics and Dangers of Riya' Attitude
The attitude of riya' is an action that is not liked by Allah SWT because it can lead to a big sin. In Surah Az Zumar verse 72, it is stated that those who are arrogant will enter the Hell of Hell.
“Qīladkhulū abwāba jahannama khālidīna fīhā, fa bi`sa maṡwal-mutakabbirīn”
Meaning: "It was said (to them): "Enter the gates of Hell, while you are in them forever." Then Hell-fire is the worst place for people who are arrogant. (Surah Az-Zumar verse 72).
Worse, the attitude of riya' is often not realized so that it becomes more ingrained and becomes a habit. According to Ali bin Ali Talib, some of the characteristics of people who are riya' include being lazy when alone, but being active when in a crowd.
Generally, people who have this trait will do good deeds and do good to get praise. This is quite often found in today's society, where many famous figures show their charity and worship just for the sake of image.
How to Avoid Riya'?
Riya' is the act of a hypocrite, and is strictly prohibited in Islam. In order to avoid this nature, we must always draw closer to Allah SWT. This will make our hearts clean because we always remember the Creator. In addition, to avoid flexing behavior or showing off possessions, we must straighten our intentions when doing anything so as to avoid being arrogant and overbearing.