Recently, several videos circulating on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have shown iftar boxes allegedly containing 50, 100, or even 500 SAR.
Official iftar boxes distributed at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah are designed to help pilgrims break their fast with essential supplies, not money.
Claim
Fact
Close inspection of the boxes in the viral videos reveals that the red seals have been broken. In contrast, every official iftar box comes with an intact seal, which is only broken by the recipient upon use.
The individuals in these videos appear to add money into the boxes on their own, likely to attract views and engagement on social media. Authorities confirm that the iftar packages are standardized and intended solely to provide food and other necessary items, with no cash included.
Legitimate iftar package distribution at the holy mosques follows a structured process as documented by content creators like Abdul Malik Fareed and Zubair Riaz.
These packages typically contain dates, water, juice, bread, and other simple foods appropriate for breaking the fast. According to the evidence available, including Fareed’s documentation, there is no indication that money is ever included in these official distributions.
The manipulation of religious practices for social media engagement represents a growing concern. Content creators driven by views and engagement metrics may stage “discoveries” to generate viral content. The iftar money claim appears to be a classic example of this phenomenon.
Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Google News, Facebook and Instagram.Support independent Islamic website.
Support our mission to spread Islamic knowledge. Your donation helps our volunteer writers and infrastructure. Contribute now.
