As per my understanding, in Islam, we are ordered to give to charity for the sake of donating and not for gaining exposure. Does this rule apply to business entities as well? Businesses often give donations to local communities to gain exposure, and this is described as good business ethics. If I own a business, can I safely donate through my company name to gain exposure (for the company)? Is this permissible in Islam?
Re: Giving Charity to Gain Exposure (as a business entity)
Depends on your intentions:
If your intention is solely think of it as marketing : No gunah / sawab involved. It is just like your biz doing marketing at any other place.
If your intention is solely to do it as a good thing: Yes you should get your sawab (if accepted by Allah)
If your intention is to do good deed and marketing as well: It is still a good deed in the end, you will get your due sawab.
Slightly different scenerio: You are giving charity to a child. Will you give it to a kid in foreign country , or to a local kid. Local kid may get off the streets because of that and how your neighbourhood is perceived is improved.
Just because you have gained something extra - doesn't hinder the fact you are doing something good in the end.
Deen and Duniya saath saath chaltain hain. Allah has told you to do things to improve the life of everyone in this world (as well as after). if you can maximize that - go ahead. Just know where your intentions lie though.