Question 1

Is Maktub halal?

Accepted Answer

Maktub is built for marriage-minded Muslims — not casual dating. There is no infinite swipe feed, photos stay blurred until mutual Salaam, and messaging opens only after reciprocal interest. Optional Wali Mode supports family involvement when you choose. This is educational positioning, not a religious ruling; consult a scholar for your circumstances.

Question 2

What if I do not have a wali?

Accepted Answer

If you do not have a suitable family path (including some reverts), you can still use Maktub. Optional Wali Mode lets you involve a trusted mentor or family member for support inside the product — it does not appoint or certify a wali. Who may act as wali in your situation is a personal fiqh question: consult a qualified scholar. Maktub does not name, verify, or certify a wali.

Question 3

Does Maktub replace family or scholar advice?

Accepted Answer

No. An app can support introductions; it cannot replace wali counsel, family input, istikhara, or qualified scholarly guidance. Maktub is designed to make introductions more accountable — not to remove the people who should help you decide.

Question 4

Can I use Maktub for casual dating?

Accepted Answer

No. Maktub is for adults seeking nikah. Profiles require marriage timeline and intention. Users who misuse the platform for harassment, deception, or non-marriage intent may be removed.

Question 5

What is daily Ta'aruf?

Accepted Answer

Each day you receive a small number of curated profile introductions matched to your stated preferences — not an endless feed. Presence and Plus share the same matching; Plus is for the ability to initiate (send and answer Salaams), not better matches. Exact daily caps come from the app (server-enforced).

Question 6

What is a Salaam?

Accepted Answer

A Salaam is your expression of interest in someone's profile — intentional, not a swipe. You send one Salaam at a time. If they send one back, photos unlock and messaging opens.

Question 7

Why no swiping?

Accepted Answer

Swiping trains quick judgment on appearance. Marriage requires slower discernment. Passing on a profile uses “Jazakallah Khair” — a respectful decline rather than a dehumanising left-swipe.

Question 8

When do photos unlock?

Accepted Answer

Profile photos stay blurred for other users until both people have sent a Salaam (mutual interest). This is enforced server-side, not an honour system.

Question 9

How is Maktub different from Muzz or Salams?

Accepted Answer

People often ask this after using familiar marketplace-style apps such as Muzz or Salams. We do not review or rank those products here. Maktub is designed differently: one curated introduction per day, one Salaam at a time, photos locked until mutual interest, optional Wali Mode in the core flow, and verification that is never paywalled. Plus sells the ability to initiate — not better matches. For more detail, read our “Coming from Muzz?” and “Coming from Salams?” pages — they describe Maktub’s design, not a scorecard of other apps.

Question 10

How is Maktub different from other marriage apps?

Accepted Answer

No swiping, optional Wali Mode for family involvement, values-first profiles, verification for all users, Muslim-founded with a planned ownership promise, and transparent limits on what verification can prove.

Question 11

When does Maktub launch?

Accepted Answer

We are targeting the Netherlands founding cohort for Ramadan 2027 (January–February 2027). Joining the waitlist does not guarantee access or a specific date. Founding cohort members are onboarded first, in signup order.

Question 12

What is the founding cohort?

Accepted Answer

The first 500 Muslims seeking marriage with intention in the Netherlands who join the waitlist. Founding members get early access and help shape the product before wider release.

Question 13

Who can join the waitlist?

Accepted Answer

Adults aged 18+ seeking marriage, currently focused on the Netherlands. You need a valid email address and must agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms.

Question 14

Is Maktub available outside the Netherlands?

Accepted Answer

Not yet. We start locally so introductions are geographically relevant. Expansion depends on community density and learning from the Dutch launch first.

Question 15

Is Maktub Muslim-owned?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Maktub is Muslim-founded. We are building a formal ownership promise — a legal commitment that the company cannot be sold to a non-Muslim investor without a community vote. We will publish it at launch.

Question 16

Is there a free plan?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Presence (free) keeps your verified profile live so others can be introduced to you and send Salaams — you open and answer them with Maktub Plus. A short Plus trial front-loads a few introductions so you can meet people before deciding. Core safety features — reporting, blocking, photo privacy — are not paywalled. Live limits are always what the app shows from the server.

Question 17

What is Maktub Plus?

Accepted Answer

A subscription for one considered introduction a day (never a feed), sending and answering Salaams, and optional Extra Ta'aruf Rounds. Plus does not buy better matches — matching stays equal for everyone. Exact daily caps and open-Salaam limits come from the app (server-enforced).

Question 18

Can I contribute to Maktub before launch?

Accepted Answer

Yes. On the Founding page (getmaktub.app/founding) you can make a one-time founding contribution (€29 / €79 / €199) via Stripe. It is voluntary, separate from Maktub Plus, and does not buy better matches. You get a thank-you email; optional public wall listing; a Founding Badge when you create an account with the same email; Member+ gets priority waitlist onboarding / earlier cohort invite; Patron also gets a private feedback-circle invite.

Question 19

Are safety features behind a paywall?

Accepted Answer

No. Reporting, blocking, photo privacy, and profile review apply to all users regardless of plan.

Question 20

Are there ads on Maktub?

Accepted Answer

Never. Presence and Plus alike — no banners, sponsored profiles, or promoted intros. We do not sell attention inside the product. Members fund dignity: founding contributions before launch, and Maktub Plus for the ability to initiate after launch. Plus never buys better matches. Verification, photo blur, reporting, and blocking stay free for everyone.

Question 21

How are my photos protected?

Accepted Answer

Photos are blurred for other users until mutual Salaam. Media is served through authenticated URLs with access controls. We do not sell personal data or use it for ad targeting.

Question 22

Does Maktub track my live location?

Accepted Answer

No continuous GPS tracking for matching. Profiles use validated Dutch cities and provinces. GPS may be used once during onboarding to confirm you are in the Netherlands.

Question 23

Are messages end-to-end encrypted?

Accepted Answer

No. Messages are encrypted in transit but not end-to-end encrypted. Authorised staff may access relevant content for safety, support, or legal compliance. See our Privacy Policy for details.

Question 24

Can I delete my account?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Email info@getmaktub.app from your account address with the subject “Account deletion request”, or start from Settings → Delete account in the app. There is a 90-day grace period before removal from our active systems. After that, a limited compliance archive (deletion audit, purchase records, and safety reports/blocks — not chat or photos) may be kept for up to 7 years for legal and security purposes. GDPR rights apply — see the Privacy Policy.

Question 25

What happens if I pause my profile?

Accepted Answer

You are hidden from Discover and cannot send new Salaams. You can still message your current mutual match. Resume anytime in Settings.

Question 26

Is every profile reviewed before going live?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Profiles go through manual review (pending → approved/rejected) before appearing in Discover. You will be notified when your profile is approved.

Question 27

Does verification guarantee someone is safe?

Accepted Answer

No. Age or identity checks are one signal — not a background check, character reference, or guarantee. Always involve trusted people, verify claims over time, and meet safely.

Question 28

How do I report someone?

Accepted Answer

Use in-app profile reporting for inappropriate behaviour, fake profiles, or harassment. For child safety concerns, email info@getmaktub.app with subject line “Child safety report”. In immediate danger, contact local emergency services first.

Question 29

What if someone asks for money?

Accepted Answer

Never send money or financial information to someone you met on any app. This is a common scam pattern. Stop contact and report the profile immediately.

Frequently asked questions.

Halal & Islamic approach

How Maktub works

Launch & waitlist

Ownership & pricing

Privacy & data

Safety & verification