A recent aqiqah ceremony meant to celebrate the birth of a child has ignited a fierce backlash on social media after videos from the event went viral—not for the celebration itself, but for the extravagant and controversial display of wealth.
The ceremony, held for Ayat Zahra, niece of social media figure Rajab Butt, quickly drew widespread criticism after videos showed Rajab Butt, his wife Iman, and other family members showering large amounts of money over the child during the event. The real uproar, however, began when the footage captured scenes of guests and family members walking over the scattered currency notes, which lay trampled on the floor like mere confetti.
A Celebration Gone Too Far?
What may have been intended as a grand gesture of love and festivity for a newborn quickly took a controversial turn, as many viewers found the spectacle not just wasteful, but also deeply disrespectful, especially in a country where millions struggle to make ends meet.
Social media users from across Pakistan and abroad did not hold back. Hashtags like Rajab Butt, Aqiqah Controversy, and Money Disrespect started trending within hours of the videos surfacing.
One user wrote, If this money was earned through halal means, it wouldn’t be thrown around like garbage.Another commented, This isn’t aqiqah, it’s a shameless attempt to flaunt wealth and insult the value of money.
Desecration or Celebration?
For many, the core of the outrage lies in the symbolic desecration of currency, something that is not only frowned upon socially but can also be considered offensive and irreverent in both cultural and religious contexts.
Several religious scholars and clerics weighed in on the issue as well, pointing out that stepping on currency—which often bears national symbols or even religious inscriptions—is a form of disrespect and should be condemned. They emphasized that while celebrating a child’s aqiqah is a beautiful Sunnah, showing off wealth in this manner contradicts the values of modesty and gratitude.
Class Divide in Plain View
In a country where poverty rates continue to soar and inflation impacts everyday living, many critics highlighted how tone-deaf such displays are.
A Karachi-based social media activist wrote, Do you know how many families this money could’ve fed? This is not just about one family’s actions—this is about a growing culture of insensitive showboating that we see on TikTok and Instagram every day.
Several netizens compared the event to viral clips from weddings and other lavish functions that have come under fire for similar reasons in recent years. It’s a competition of excess now, one comment read. Even religious or sacred events are being turned into fashion shows and financial flexes.
Rajab Butt’s Silence Adds Fuel to the Fire
As the controversy continues to escalate, Rajab Butt has remained silent, neither issuing an apology nor offering clarification. His silence is being interpreted by many as arrogance, further inflaming public opinion.
Some users have called for action from authorities, suggesting that such misuse of money could be probed under laws related to public morality or financial misconduct, while others have demanded social accountability through mass reporting of his social media pages.
What This Means for Social Media Culture
The incident has triggered a broader conversation about responsible behavior online, particularly among influencers and digital content creators who enjoy large followings. Critics argue that many influencers are now resorting to shock value for views, even at the cost of dignity, cultural respect, and empathy.
Experts warn that such events normalize material excess and send the wrong message to youth.It creates a false narrative that wealth is only meaningful when it’s flaunted,said a digital culture analyst. We need to reinforce values of generosity, humility, and community support—especially on platforms where millions are watching.
A Teachable Moment?
As the online storm continues to brew, many are calling on families to reflect on the real meaning behind ceremonies like aqiqah—which is meant to be an act of gratitude and spiritual celebration, not a moment to exhibit riches.
Whether Rajab Butt and his family will address the controversy remains to be seen, but for now, the message from the public is clear: disrespecting money, especially in the name of celebration, is not just distasteful—it’s disgraceful.
Only time will tell if this viral moment serves as a wake-up call for content creators—or just another scandal lost in the next social media trend.
