Microtransaction game items in Mobile Legends
A fiqh Al-Muamalat perspective on digital commodities and gambling elements
Keywords:
Microtransaction, mobil legends, game items, gamblingAbstract
The practice of mobile games becomes a discussion in terms of mechanisms and transaction agreements according to the Fiqh Al-Muamalat perspective. This study investigates the permissibility of microtransaction mechanisms in the game Mobile Legends from the perspective of Islamic commercial jurisprudence (Fiqh Al-Muamalat). Using a qualitative methodology, it examines transaction types, including direct purchases and gacha-based systems, in light of Shariah principles such as gharar (uncertainty) and maysir (gambling). The findings indicate that while direct purchases may be permissible, mechanisms involving uncertainty are prohibited. The study offers insights for Muslim gamers and game developers to ensure Shariah-compliant digital engagement.
Downloads
References
Al-Quran.
Abdul Naseer. Al-Nasyeer. 2004. Buyu al-Muharramah wa al-Munhi Anha. Thesis Phd. Universiti Khortoum. Dar Huda al-Nabawi. Mesir. Vol 1. Pages. 1-20.
Amir Fazlim Jusoh Yusoff, & Iffah Abd Razak. (2023). Sharia Issues on Loot Boxes in Online Games and Esport. Jurnal Hukum Keluarga dan Hukum Islam, Volume 7(No. 1), 344.
Cambridge Dictionary. (n.d.). Consumable. Retrieved 6 23, 2023, from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/consumable
Daniel L King, & Paul H Delfabbro. (2020). The convergence of gambling and monetised gaming activities. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, Volume 31, 32-36.
Daniel Nielsen. (2018). Virtual Goods in Online Games: A Study on Players' Attitudes toward Lootboxes and Microtransactions in Online Games. Tesis in Malmo University.
David Chua, Nathaniel Kainama, Mahesa Nararya Adji, & Feranita Feranita. (2019). Consumer Preference on Paid Game Microtransaction. Journal of Research in Marketing, Volume 10 No. 3, 835.
en.moodton.com.
Erin Gibson, Mark D. Griffiths, Filipa Calado, & Andrew Harris. (2022). The relationship between videogame micro-transactions and problem gaming and gambling: A systematic review. Computers in Human Behavior, Volume 131, 1-2.
Fragments Shop | Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Wiki | Fandom. (n.d.). Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Wiki. https://mobile-legends.fandom.com/wiki/Fragments_Shop
Iffah Abd Razak, & Amir Fazlim Jusoh Yusoff. (2022). Transaksi Mikro Item Permainan Atas Talian Menurut Perspektif Syarak. Journal Of Contemporary Islamic Law, Vol. 7(2), 19-27.
Jae Mee Yoo. (2015, August). Perceived Value of Game Items and Purchase. Indian Journal of Science and Technology, Vol 8 (19), 3.
Jing Shi, Michelle Colder Carras, Marc N. Potenza, & Nigel E. Turner. (2020). A Perspective on Age Restrictions and Other Harm Reduction Approaches Targeting Youth Online Gambling, Considering Convergences of Gambling and Videogaming. Front. Psychiatry, Volume 11.
Ibn Nujaim., I. N. (1997). Al-Bahru al-Raayiq, Sharah Kanz al-Daqayiq. Dar Kitab Ilmiah, 1, 353.
King, D. L., & Delfabbro, P. (2014). The cognitive psychology of Internet gaming disorder. Clinical Psychology Review, 34(4), 298–308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2014.03.006
Merriam-Webster Est. 1828. (n.d.). Microtransaction. Retrieved 6 23, 2023, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microtransaction
Misno. (2021). Virtual Property Pada Game Online Dalam Perspektif Hukum Ekonomi Syariah. Journal of Islamic Economics and Banking, Al Maal, Vol. 3, No. 1, Juli, 2021, 49-63.
Mohd Anim, N.A.H., Suffarruddin, S.H., Mohd Najib, N., Sabaruddin, N.A. (2023). Ensuring the Sustainability of Sadaqah Based Crowdfunding Platforms: The Role of Gamification and User Experience. The Journal of Fiqh Al-Muamalat and Islamic Finance Research, Vol. 20 (1): 35-48. DOI: http://doi.org/10.33102/jmifr.475.
Moshirnia, A. V. (2019). Precious and Worthless: A Comparative Perspective on Loot Boxes and Gambling. Minnesota Journal of Law, Science & Technology, Vol. 20(Issue 1), 88.
Mushaddad Hasbullah. Zulfaqar Mamat. Mohammad Zaharuddin Zakaria. 2018. Al-Aslu Fi Assya’ Baina Al-Ibahah Aw Al-Hazr: Pemakaiannya Dalam Keputusan Muzakarah Jawatankuasa Fatwa Majlis Kebangsaan Bagi Hal Ehwal Ugama Islam Malaysia. Jurnal Pengurusan dan Penyelidikan Fatwa. Julai 2018. 13(1).
Nur Rizqi Febriandika, Nurkholis Majid, & Rahul Kumar. (2022). Review of Islamic Law on microtransaction contracts in the gacha system. Borobudur Law Review, Volume 4 (Issue 2), 90.
Paler, H.N.E., Cruz, O.K.L.D., Facun, I.C.S., Rosario, J.T.D., Dancel, R.U., Balaba, J.M.B. (n.d.) The Impacts of Playing Mobile Legends on Academic Performance of Junior High Students of Vargas High School S. Y. 2022-2023. A Research Paper Presented to the Faculty of Vargas High School, Vargas, Santa Ignacia, Tarlac. https://www.scribd.com/document/684120159/The-Impacts-of-Playing-Mobile-Legends-on-Academic-research [2023, Mei 23]
Palmeira, M. (2021). The interplay of micro-transaction type and amount of playing in video game evaluations. Computers in Human Behavior, Volume 115.
Phillip C. Raneri, Christian Mantag, Dmitri Rozgonjuk, Jason Satel, Halley M. Pontes. (2022). The role of microtransactions in Internet Gaming Disorder and Gambling Disorder: A preregistered systematic review.
Racoma, A. (2021, July 4). Why Mobile Legends is so popular in South East Asia (SEA) region. (A. V. Racoma, Editor) Retrieved from GamingonPhone: https://gamingonphone.com/editorial/why-mobile-legends-is-so-popular-in-south-east-asia-sea-region/
Raneri, P. C., Montag, C., Rozgonjuk, D., Satel, J., & Pontes, H. M. (2022). The role of microtransactions in Internet Gaming Disorder and Gambling Disorder: A preregistered systematic review. Addictive Behaviors Reports, Vol 15, 100415. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2022.100415
Saiful Adlie. (2021, October 14). ISU PERJUDIAN BERKAITAN UNKNOWN CASH (UC) PUBG. IRSYAD AL-FATWA SIRI KE-626. Retrieved from https://muftiwp.gov.my/en/artikel/irsyad-fatwa/irsyad-fatwa-umum-cat/5013-irsyad-al-fatwa-siri-ke-626-isu-perjudian-berkaitan-unknown-cash-uc-pubg
Setiyawan Gunardi. (2019). Adillah Al-Ahkam. Negeri Sembilan: Penerbit USIM.
Wasif Ahmed. (2019, August 11). Is Mobile Legends: Bang Bang the next big mobile esport? Retrieved from Dot Esports: https://dotesports.com/mobile/news/is-mobile-legends-bang-bang-the-next-big-mobile-esport
Wasif Ahmed. (2021, December 3). Beginner’s guide to Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB). Retrieved from Dot Esports: https://dotesports.com/news/beginners-guide-to-mobile-legends-bang-bang-mlbb
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Muizzuddin Mohd Rizal, Setiyawan Gunardi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
