Online Ta’aruf as a Medium for Islamic Matchmaking: A Socio-Religious Construction of Muslim Young People in the Digital Era

Abdul Halim, Erian Putri Pratiwi

Abstract


This study explores the development of digital technology and its impact on various aspects of social life, including the practice of matchmaking among young Indonesian Muslims. Online ta’aruf has emerged as an alternative to matchmaking based on Islamic values, adapting to the challenges of modern lifestyle and reflecting a response to the changing times. This research aims to understand how young Muslims perceive and practice online ta’aruf, as well as how the dimensions of religiosity and social values play a role in the process. This study employs a qualitative method with a phenomenological approach, involving in-depth interviews with informants who utilize online ta’aruf platforms from various regions in Indonesia. The findings indicate that online ta’aruf is perceived as a safer and more religiously permissible (halal) way than conventional dating. However, a significant dilemma arises from the tension between religious intentions and the practical reality that often resembles a pattern of mainstream digital matchmaking. While the primary motivation for use is religiosity—seeking relationships compliant with Islamic law (sharia)—practices such as intense, unmediated communication frequently diverge from ideal religious norms, closely resembling the pattern of digital dating. The value of religiosity is the primary motivation for using this platform, even though its interpretations and implementation vary widely, depending on educational background, personal beliefs, social environment, and involvement in the Islamic community. Consequently, there is a shift or transformation in the meaning of ta’aruf in the digital era as a space for negotiation between faith, norms, and technology. Therefore, the meaning of online ta’aruf not only functions as a medium for Islamic matchmaking but also reflects the dynamics of the religious values and identity of young Muslims who live in an increasingly digitized and normative-flexible society.

Keywords


Online ta’aruf, Islamic matchmaking, young people, religiosity, digital era.

Full Text:

PDF

References


Akbar, E. (2015). Taaruf dalam khitbah perspektif Syafi’i dan Ja’fari. Musãwa Jurnal Studi Gender Dan Islam, 14(1), 55–66. https://doi.org/10.14421/musawa.2015.141.55-66

Amaliyah, Z. (2024). Pemanfaatan media sosial pada proses ta’aruf dalam perspektif fikih munakahat [Other, Universitas Darunnajah]. https://repository.darunnajah.ac.id/id/eprint/65/

APJI. (2025). Asosiasi Penyelenggara Jasa Internet Indonesia—Survei 2025. https://survei.apjii.or.id/

Arlina, A. (2012). Proses adaptasi antar budaya pasangan menikah melalui proses ta’aruf (Studi fenomenologi pasangan menikah di awal pernikahan) [Master’s thesis, Universitas Indonesia]. https://lib.ui.ac.id

BISMILLAH, Temui Jodohmu (@taaruf.co.id). (2025). https://www.instagram.com/taaruf.co.id/

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2019). Reflecting on reflexive thematic analysis. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 11(4), 589–597. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2019.1628806

CARI JODOH TAARUF (@taaruf_nikah). (2025). https://www.instagram.com/taaruf_nikah/

Fitriansyah, F. (2018). Efek komunikasi massa pada khalayak (Studi deskriptif pengguna media sosial dalam membentuk perilaku remaja). Cakrawala - Jurnal Humaniora, 18(2), 171–178. https://doi.org/10.31294/jc.v18i2.4228

Galanis, P. (2018). Data analysis in qualitative research: Thematic analysis. Archives of Hellenic Medicine, 35(3). https://www.mednet.gr/archives/2018-3/416abs.html

Gunawan, M. K., & Arsyad, A. A. J. (2021). The role of WhatsApp as a murabbi communication media in founding the couples of ta’aruf. 479–486. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.210909.102

Hakim, R. M. (2014). Konsep Felix Siauw tentang ta’aruf antara calon mempelai pria dan calon mempelai wanita. Al-Ahwal: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Islam, 7(1), 69–84. https://doi.org/10.14421/ahwal.2014.07106

Hambali, K. M. K. @, Ghazali, A., & Senin, N. (2022). Fundamental elements in sustaining inter-religious harmonious relations under Islamic perspectives in the age of new media. Journal of Nusantara Studies (JONUS), 7(2), 147–165. https://doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol7iss2pp147-165

Handayani, D. S. (2022). Ta’aruf rules in digital room: Study of matchmaking process on Biro Jodoh Rumaysho social media. Asy-Syir’ah: Jurnal Ilmu Syari’ah dan Hukum, 56(2), 223–243. https://doi.org/10.14421/ajish.v56i2.1041

Hildawati, H., & Lestari, A. (2019). Taaruf online dan offline: Menjemput jodoh menuju pernikahan. Emik, 2(2), 128–148. https://ejournals.umma.ac.id/index.php/emik/article/view/293

Irfan, M., & Abidin, Z. (2020). Perjalanan cintaku: Sebuah studi fenomenologis tentang pengalaman pencarian jodoh pada pria pengguna aplikasi ta’aruf online Indonesia. Jurnal EMPATI, 8(3), 605–619. https://doi.org/10.14710/empati.2019.26503

Jo Dixon, S. (2025). Global daily social media usage 2025. Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/433871/daily-social-media-usage-worldwide/

Kadir, M. N. A. (2008). Soal jawab remeh-temeh tentang nikah kahwin tapi anda malu bertanya. Telaga Biru Sdn Bhd.

Karim, A. Z., & Desiningrum, D. R. (2015). Dari taaruf hingga menikah: Eksplorasi pengalaman penemuan makna cinta dengan interpretative phenomenologycal analysis. Jurnal EMPATI, 4(1), 43–48. https://doi.org/10.14710/empati.2015.13088

Keegan, S. (2009). Qualitative research: Good decision making through understanding people, cultures and markets. London.

Komnas Perempuan. (2025). CATAHU 2024: Menata data, menajamkan arah: Refleksi pendokumentasian dan tren kasus kekerasan terhadap perempuan [Annual Record]. https://komnasperempuan.go.id/catatan-tahunan-detail/catahu-2024-menata-data-menajamkan-arah-refleksi-pendokumentasian-dan-tren-kasus-kekerasan-terhadap-perempuan

Law No. 1 of 1974 Marriage Law. (n.d.). LII / Legal Information Institute. Retrieved October 19, 2025, from https://www.law.cornell.edu/gender-justice/resource/law_no._1_of_1974_marriage_law

Mas’ud, I. (2007). Fiqih madzhab Syafi’i (Edisi lengkap) buku 2: Muamalat, munakahat, jinayat. Pustaka Setia. //opac.ar-raniry.ac.id%2Findex.php%3Fp%3Dshow_detail%26id%3D2404%26keywords%3D

Mawaddah Indonesia. (n.d.). https://mawaddahindonesia.com/

Ngapriba, R. C. (2020). Pandangan Lembaga Bahtsul Masail Nahdlatul Ulama dan Majelis Tarjih Muhammadiyah Kota Malang tentang aplikasi ta’aruf online [Undergraduate thesis, Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim]. http://etheses.uin-malang.ac.id/22204/

Petrosyan, A. (2024). Global internet users age distribution 2024. Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/272365/age-distribution-of-internet-users-worldwide/

Rahman, F., & Zulhaqqi, G. L. (2020). Fenomena ta’aruf online dan praktik komodifikasi perkawinan di dunia digital. Kafa`ah: Journal of Gender Studies, 10(1), 63–80. https://doi.org/10.15548/jk.v10i1.327

Rifauddin, M., & Halida, A. N. (2018). Waspada cybercrime dan informasi hoax pada sosial media Facebook. Khizanah al-Hikmah : Jurnal Ilmu Perpustakaan, Informasi, dan Kearsipan, 6(2), 98–111. https://doi.org/10.24252/kah.v6i2a2

Rosyidah, I., & Damastuti, R. I. (2023). Membingkai identitas kolektif berbasis agama: Pengalaman gerakan Indonesia Tanpa Pacaran. Dialog, 46(2), 203–214. https://doi.org/10.47655/dialog.v46i2.806

Rumah Taaruf myQuran. (n.d.). Tentang Rumah Taaruf myQuran. https://www.rumahtaaruf.com/

Rumah Taaruf myQuran (@rumah.taaruf). (2025). https://www.instagram.com/rumah.taaruf/

Rumah Ta’aruf Taman Surga (RTTS). (n.d.). Rumah Ta’aruf Taman Surga (RTTS). https://tamansurga-ku.blogspot.com/

Sadat, A., Husain, R. T., Ibrahim, Z. S., & Yusuf, M. (2025). The development of trends and themes of polygamy in Islamic law in the contemporary world. Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Dan Hukum Islam, 9(2), 896–914. https://doi.org/10.22373/axgt7854

Shalih, S. F. (2005). Untukmu yang akan menikah & telah menikah. Pustaka Al-Kautsar.

Situmeang, R. R. (2018). Dampak bisnis online dan lapangan pekerjaan terhadap peningkatan pendapatan masyarakat. AJIE (Asian Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship), 319–335. https://journal.uii.ac.id/ajie/article/view/11620

Sutton, J., & Austin, Z. (2015). Qualitative Research: Data Collection, Analysis, and Management. The Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, 68(3), 226–226. https://doi.org/10.4212/CJHP.V68I3.1456

Ta’aruf Online Indonesia. (n.d.). https://taarufonline.id/

Ta’aruf Online Indonesia (TOI) (@taarufonline.id). (2025). https://www.instagram.com/taarufonline.id/

Taaruf_yuuk. (2025). https://www.instagram.com/taaruf_yuuk/

UU No. 7 Tahun 2014. (n.d.). Database Peraturan | JDIH BPK. Retrieved October 19, 2025, from http://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/38584/uu-no-7-tahun-2014

UU No. 8 Tahun 1999. (n.d.). Database Peraturan | JDIH BPK. Retrieved October 19, 2025, from http://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/45288/uu-no-8-tahun-1999

Watkins, S. C., & Rideout, V. (2019). Millennials, social media, and politics. Institute for Media Innovation of The University of Texas at Austin.

Wulansari, E. D. (2018). Ta’aruf sebagai upaya pencegahan terjadinya pembatalan perkawinan dalam hukum Islam. Jurist-Diction, 1(2), 493–516. https://doi.org/10.20473/jd.v1i2.11004

Yuniar, R. W. (2020). Taaruf digital jadi tren, “wajah dinamika Islam” yang dikhawatirkan “mendorong konservatisme.” BBC News Indonesia. https://www.bbc.com/indonesia/indonesia-51632430




DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21043/qijis.v13i1.14333

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.