THE COMMODIFICATION OF ISLAMIC MATCHMAKING: A SOCIO-LEGAL ANALYSIS OF SUBSCRIPTION FEATURES IN SHARIA DATING APPS

The commercialization of Islamic matchmaking through digital platforms raises concerns about the commodification of Islamic family law principles. This study aims to examine how sharia dating applications incorporate these principles into their matchmaking mechanisms and assess whether their subscription features constitute legitimate technological adaptations or forms of legal commodification. Employing a qualitative netnographic method and a critical socio-legal approach, the study draws on six months of online participant observation (January–June 2026) of Muzz and Hawaya, complemented by in-depth interviews with four purposively selected informants. Data were analyzed thematically using Vincent Mosco’s commodification framework and Islamic family law principles. The findings reveal three mechanisms of commodification: (1) premium socioeconomic filters prioritize financial status over religious and moral compatibility, narrowing the meaning of kafaah; (2) paid photo-unblurring features commercialize naẓar while raising concerns about visual authenticity; and (3) optional digital chaperone features marginalize family supervision without replacing the legal authority of the wali nasab. These findings indicate that platform monetization reshapes Islamic matchmaking principles through market-oriented digital architectures. The study concludes that sharia dating applications represent a hybridization of religious values and commercial interests, rather than purely neutral matchmaking alternatives. It recommends strengthening verifiable guardian involvement, ensuring transparency in premium services, and establishing greater platform accountability to safeguard Islamic family law principles.