ARE TODAY’S DATING APPS SHARIA- COMPLIANT?

Abstract

:  Dating applications have completely changed how people meet and build relationships in the current digital world. According to Müller in article Jamaludin. et. al (2024) research, young adults in Malaysia   are more likely than people in other age groups to use online dating apps. About 41% of those   between the ages of 16 and 24 and 43% of those between the ages of 24 and 34 reported using one dating apps. This study aims to achieve three main objectives, to identify the features and operational models of selected dating apps that claim to be Sharia-compliant, to study these features in the light of Islamic jurisprudence and ethical standards and to suggest recommendations for how dating applications can better align with Sharia principles, particularly in areas of data management, user interactions, and community accountability. The study's findings indicate that Baitul Muslim surpasses other dating applications regarding shariah compliance. Baitul Muslim offers three unique characters or elements that cannot be found in other dating apps which are elements of immorality and disturbance control, The application must minimize trust issues and background assessment based on religion and character. This study will give readers a greater understand of how contemporary dating tools align with Islamic legal and ethical norms, enabling both users and developers to make more educated decisions.