The Rise of Show-Off Culture in Pakistan: How Influencers Are Misleading Youth and Destroying Islamic Values

In today’s digital age, where every scroll brings a new video and every click feeds the ego, influencer culture has reached dangerous levels—especially in Pakistan. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have become breeding grounds for a toxic trend: show-off culture. Influencers such as Rajab Butt, Patlo, and others aren’t just going viral—they’re promoting a lifestyle that’s empty, extravagant, and deeply damaging.

Gone are the days of meaningful content. Now, it’s all about luxury cars, bundles of cash, designer outfits, and extravagant weddings. But behind the glamour lies a painful truth: this isn’t success—it’s societal decay.

Viral for All the Wrong Reasons: When Throwing Cash Replaces Culture

In recent times, we’ve seen influencers throwing lakhs of rupees at weddings just to gain likes and followers. This isn’t tradition. This isn’t joy. This is wastage for the sake of clout.

Influencers today are sending toxic messages like:

• “If you’re not rich, you’re not worthy.”
• “If your wedding isn’t viral, you’ve failed.”
• “If you don’t show off, you don’t matter.”

This mindset creates pressure on the youth to fake lifestyles they cannot afford—resulting in mental health issues, identity crises, and spiritual emptiness.

The Impact on Pakistani Youth: Fake Accents, Fake Lives, and Real Depression

Our younger generation spends hours watching influencers flaunt gold chains, luxury cars, and branded outfits. They begin to copy these lifestyles without understanding the damage it causes:

• Depression from comparison
• Loss of self-worth
• Addiction to likes and validation
• Distance from deen and simplicity

Young kids are now vlogging without purpose, adopting foreign accents, and imitating personalities that promote nothing but arrogance.

Islam Condemns Show-Off Culture: A Disease of the Heart

Islam teaches humility, simplicity, and sincerity. But influencer culture stands in direct opposition to these values. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

“Whoever shows off, Allah will show him off…” (Sahih Muslim)

And the Quran clearly warns us:

“Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils.” (Surah Al-Isra 17:27)

Throwing money for views is not generosity—it is riya (showing off), and it destroys the heart. When wealth is not used for charity, helping the poor, or uplifting the Ummah, it becomes a curse—not a blessing.

Influencer Hypocrisy: Fame Over Faith, Followers Over Values

Most influencers preach nothing, stand for nothing, and uplift no one. Yet, society glorifies them. We share their videos, praise their lavishness, and even say “MashAllah” on content that has nothing to do with Allah.

We are raising a generation that values:

• Viral videos over virtuous deeds
• Popularity over piety
• Appearance over akhlaq (good character)

It’s no surprise that spiritual numbness is on the rise—we’ve traded character for clout.

Gaza Bleeds, While TikTok Dances Trend

While Rajab Butt and other influencers throw money at weddings, Palestinian children cry for food and water. Gaza is burning. Masjids are reduced to rubble. Innocent Muslims are being martyred every day.

And yet, we continue to upload dance reels, flaunt wealth, and livestream vulgar content.

Ask yourself:

“What did I do while my Ummah was suffering?”
If the answer is,
“I was making vlogs”—
Then know that this is not just shameful, it is a betrayal of our Islamic values.

The Forgotten Sunnah of Simplicity in Weddings

Islam teaches us that the best weddings are the simplest. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“The most blessed wedding is the one with the least expenses.”

But today’s reality is the opposite:

• Lavish venues
• Designer dresses
• Drone cameras
• Cash showers

Now, even middle-class families feel pressured to spend beyond their means. This isn’t celebration—it’s financial slavery.

The Rise of TikTok Vulgarity in Pakistan

TikTok Live has become a platform for vulgarity and shamelessness. Young boys and girls flirt, dance, and expose themselves—all for virtual gifts. And the worst part? Thousands of people encourage it.

This trend is not just haram—it is heartbreaking. It shows how far we’ve fallen as a society:

• When modesty becomes boring
• When vulgarity becomes fun
• When parents lose control over their children’s digital lives

How to Fight Back Against Toxic Influencer Culture

It’s time to take action. As Muslims and as responsible members of society, we must draw a line.

Here’s what needs to change:

1. Unfollow Toxic Influencers

Don’t support those who promote waste, vulgarity, or arrogance. Every follow is a vote.

2. Speak Up and Raise Awareness

Talk about these issues in schools, homes, and masjids. Don’t normalize the fitnah.

3. Promote Real Role Models

Teach kids about the Sahaba, scholars, and people of knowledge—not fake internet celebrities.

4. Revive Simplicity

Celebrate weddings and events according to Sunnah—modestly and meaningfully.

5. Support Gaza and Other Oppressed Muslims

Instead of wasting money, use it for good: donate, support orphans, feed the hungry.

6. Create Halal, Purposeful Content

If you want to vlog—go for it. But let your content spread light, not darkness.

Final Words: Return to Deen, Return to Purpose

This life is temporary. The fame will fade. The money will vanish. But what you did with it will remain forever in your Book of Deeds.

To Influencers:

• Throw away your ego—not your money.
• Share knowledge—not your selfies.
• Use your platform for truth—not for trends.

To Followers:

• Don’t let their fake lives steal your real one.
• Don’t trade your deen for their dopamine.

Conclusion: May Allah Guide Us All

May Allah guide us back to humility, simplicity, and sincerity.
May He protect our youth from the poison of fake fame.
And may He forgive us for staying silent in the face of this fitnah.

Ameen.