In the fast-paced world of app development, and with the indie developers' (indie) passion for quick riches, the principle prevailed: "Find a niche, solve a problem, and make money." While this principle can be a driver of innovation, a troubling trend emerged when this purely commercial mindset was applied to the most sacred texts.
The success of certain religious apps targeting specific groups in the West, such as “Bible for Women” (which reportedly generates tens of thousands of dollars monthly), has whetted the appetite of many. This lucrative model has attracted developers—many of whom are non-Muslim and have little interest in religion—who have begun to turn their attention to the Quran, attempting to package the word of God in commercial formats, such as “Quran for Women.”
This is not just a software bug; it is a digital distortion of the true religion.
Mechanisms of “trading” in religion
The problem begins with the ease of entering this field. A developer doesn't need to be a scholar, or even a Muslim, to publish a Quran application.
The phenomenon of “repackaging”Developers take open-source code for free Quran applications (from GitHub, for example), and only change the design and colors (for example, a pink color for the “Quran for Women” application), then upload it to the store.
Lack of auditingThe databases of verses and translations are copied blindly. If the original source contains errors (lack of diacritics, or a translation error), these errors are transmitted to thousands of users.
Deception by featuresAs we see in Instagram ads, these apps promise fake features such as “AI-powered interpretation” or “AI-powered Quran recitation correction,” but upon downloading, the user finds an empty app whose sole purpose is to display ads or lure them into a paid subscription.
A developer is deceiving users with features not available in his app.
The advertising trap: vice alongside virtue
What's most alarming about these commercial apps is their profit model. To maximize revenue, developers use aggressive advertising networks.
inappropriate contextIt is not unusual for a user to read verses about purity and chastity, only to be interrupted by a full-screen video advertisement for a dating app, a gambling game, or a usurious loan platform.
Developer's indifferenceSince many of these developers are not Muslim, they lack the religious sensitivity to block certain ad categories. For them, "viewing" equals "money," regardless of whether the ad attacks the values the user is currently reading.
The hidden victim: the new Muslim
An Arab Muslim, by virtue of his upbringing, may be able to uncover these tricks and delete the application immediately. But the real disaster lies with the "new Muslims".Imagine someone in Europe or America who has recently converted to Islam and is eager for knowledge.
Doctrinal dispersionWhen someone downloads an application titled “Quran for Women” under the assumption that there is a revelation specifically for women, this strikes at the heart of the concept of the universality of the Muhammadan message.
Shaking trustWhen he encounters broken Arabic text or sees indecent advertisements inside the Quran, he experiences cognitive dissonance. He may ask: “Is this what Islam permits?” or “Is this text truly preserved?”
distortionUnapproved translations may completely change the meanings of the verses, leading to a distorted understanding of the pillars of faith.
The solution: The need for a “digital regulatory body”
The “Report” button in app stores is no longer enough. Companies like Apple and Google are tech companies, not guardians of faith. We need organized action.
First: Establishing a digital accreditation body
Just as there is a “halal” seal for food, there should be a “digital halal.” Major institutions such as Al-Azhar or the King Fahd Complex should establish a department to do so. "Technical monitoring".
Digital seal: An official, encrypted badge awarded only to applications that have undergone rigorous software and legal review.
Legal and societal pressure
Islamic legal authorities should address Apple and Google to:
- Preventing “technical trivialization of holy books (such as preventing titles like “Quran for Women” or “Quran for the Rich” and the like).
- Strict control was imposed on the quality of advertisements in the “Religion” category.
The Holy Quran is not a "product" subject to search engine optimization (SEO), nor a commodity for quick profit. It is the word of the Lord of the Worlds. Leaving it prey to the greed of developers who see it only as a source of passive income is a collective failing on our part.
A message to every MuslimWe hope you will take a leading role in raising awareness among regulatory bodies about the necessity of activating legal tools to deter anyone who dares to insult religion through applications. Major technology companies must realize that disregarding the sanctity of religion has serious legal consequences. We have an example in China, which has asserted its sovereignty over companies like Apple and Google, prohibiting the publication of any written content without government approval (a Quran application cannot be placed in the Chinese app store without permission from the relevant authorities). Islamic countries are even more deserving of asserting this sovereignty to defend God's religion and protect its digital boundaries.
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