Question 1

Is MAWADDAH a dating app?

Accepted Answer

No. MAWADDAH is not a dating, swipe, chat, or public profile catalogue. It is a private, moderator-guided path for sincere Muslims — those serious about nikāḥ — to be introduced respectfully.

Question 2

Who is MAWADDAH for?

Accepted Answer

Brothers and sisters seeking nikāḥ, as well as parents, walīs, and trusted relatives helping a candidate. It is also designed to welcome ʿulamāʾ, ʿālimāt, and mature womenfolk who assist with introductions.

Question 3

Who is MAWADDAH not for?

Accepted Answer

Anyone looking for casual dating, secret relationships, entertainment, public profile browsing, or unsupervised contact between candidates.

Question 4

Is this halāl?

Accepted Answer

MAWADDAH is designed around Islamic etiquette: no public browsing, no swiping, no in-app messaging between candidates, walī-aware involvement, moderator review, and serious nikāḥ intention. Ultimate scholarly questions should be referred to your own trusted ʿālim.

Question 5

Where is MAWADDAH currently available?

Accepted Answer

MAWADDAH is rolling out deliberately, beginning in South Africa and expanding by invitation as moderator capacity grows in each region.

Question 6

Is MAWADDAH free to use?

Accepted Answer

Creating a profile and being considered for introductions is free during the current beta. If paid features are ever introduced, they will be clearly communicated and never break the core privacy promises.

Question 7

Can other users see my profile?

Accepted Answer

No. Profiles are not publicly browsable or searchable by other users. Only an assigned moderator and approved match recipients see the relevant parts.

Question 8

Is there a profile catalogue or feed?

Accepted Answer

No. MAWADDAH has no public catalogue, no swipe deck, no profile feed. You cannot scroll through candidates.

Question 9

Are photos required?

Accepted Answer

No. Photos are optional and privacy-controlled. Sisters' profiles are handled with female moderator involvement wherever possible.

Question 10

When are photos visible?

Accepted Answer

Photos stay hidden by default and are only released according to the privacy settings you choose — typically after both sides have accepted an introduction.

Question 11

Is my contact number shared?

Accepted Answer

Not publicly. The walī phone number you provide is only revealed on the match page after both sides accept a moderator-approved introduction. Your personal number is never shared without your consent.

Question 12

Who controls my information?

Accepted Answer

The applicant controls their profile information and privacy choices, subject to platform review and safety rules.

Question 13

Can I delete my data?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can request account and data deletion at any time from your settings, subject to legal and safety retention obligations.

Question 14

Does MAWADDAH sell data or run ads?

Accepted Answer

No. We do not sell data, run advertising, or share profile information with third parties for marketing.

Question 15

Who are the moderators?

Accepted Answer

Moderators include ʿulamāʾ, ʿālimāt, mature trusted community women, and verified community members. They submit references, sign confidentiality and conflict-of-interest agreements, and are approved before being given access.

Question 16

How are moderators vetted?

Accepted Answer

Through a formal application, references, a confidentiality agreement, a conflict-of-interest declaration, and review by senior moderators or staff. Access is then scoped and audit-logged.

Question 17

Are sisters' profiles handled by sisters?

Accepted Answer

Wherever possible, yes. Sisters' profiles are routed to involve a female moderator, particularly for sensitive details.

Question 18

Are moderators audited?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every action a moderator takes is audit-logged and reviewable by senior staff. Moderators only see what they need to do their work.

Question 19

Can I request a different moderator?

Accepted Answer

If you have a concern about a conflict of interest or comfort, you may flag it and a different moderator will be assigned.

Question 20

How do I apply to be a moderator?

Accepted Answer

See the Apply as a trusted moderator page. Applications are reviewed by senior moderators before any access is granted.

Question 21

Does AI choose my spouse?

Accepted Answer

No. AI only helps identify possible compatibility. Moderators, families, walīs, and applicants make the final decisions.

Question 22

What does the AI look at?

Accepted Answer

Religious values, personality, family expectations, lifestyle, marriage goals, preferences, dealbreakers, location, age range, and other profile details.

Question 23

Will I be auto-matched?

Accepted Answer

No. AI suggestions are never sent directly to candidates. A trusted moderator reviews every suggestion before any introduction is forwarded.

Question 24

How are dealbreakers handled?

Accepted Answer

Hard dealbreakers are filtered out before any suitability insight is offered, so unsuitable profiles never reach a moderator for that pairing.

Question 25

Does the AI improve over time?

Accepted Answer

Suggestions are refined with moderator feedback. Moderators can mark which suggestions made sense and which did not, and the system adjusts.

Question 26

Can I see my own compatibility scores?

Accepted Answer

No. Scores are tools for moderators, not labels for candidates. You see the introductions a moderator approves, with the context they choose to share.

Question 27

Why is the walī required?

Accepted Answer

Marriage is a family matter, not a private transaction. The walī keeps the process honourable and protects everyone involved.

Question 28

What if I am a revert or have no family support?

Accepted Answer

Reverts and applicants with sensitive family circumstances are welcome. Explain the situation honestly during application — a moderator will advise the appropriate next step, which may include a local ʿālim or ʿālimah acting as walī.

Question 29

Can my family be involved?

Accepted Answer

Yes — MAWADDAH is designed around family and walī involvement. Parents and walīs can create profiles on behalf of a candidate (with their consent) and participate throughout.

Question 30

Can my walī log in and edit my profile?

Accepted Answer

Not at this stage. Applicants manage their own profile information. Walī or family details support respectful contact after a moderator-approved introduction. Family-side dashboards may be added later.

Question 31

Can a brother nominate a walī figure?

Accepted Answer

Brothers can list a trusted family contact (often a father or close male relative) to support family-to-family conversation after acceptance.

Question 32

Who do families speak to after acceptance?

Accepted Answer

Family-to-family. Once both sides accept a moderator-approved introduction, the walī phone number is revealed and conversation continues by phone, WhatsApp, or SMS — outside the app.

Question 33

How long does signup take?

Accepted Answer

Around 15 minutes for the core profile. You can save and return at any time.

Question 34

How long does moderator review take?

Accepted Answer

Typically 1–5 days, depending on region and volume. You will be emailed when your status changes.

Question 35

What happens after my profile is approved?

Accepted Answer

Your profile becomes considerable by the matching engine and the moderator team. You receive a small number of carefully reasoned introductions over time — never a flood.

Question 36

Can I decline an introduction?

Accepted Answer

Yes, at any time. Both sides receive a respectful email when a response is recorded — no scores, no counters, no public visibility.

Question 37

What if only one side accepts?

Accepted Answer

The other side is gently invited to consider, but never pressured. If they do not accept, the introduction simply does not move forward.

Question 38

Can I pause my profile?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can put your profile on hold from your settings, and resume when you are ready.

Question 39

Are matches guaranteed?

Accepted Answer

No. MAWADDAH facilitates introductions. We do not guarantee marriage, compatibility, the truthfulness of all user-submitted information, or successful outcomes.

Question 40

Can I message people inside the app?

Accepted Answer

No. MAWADDAH has no in-app messaging or calling between candidates. After a moderator-approved introduction and mutual acceptance, the walī's phone number is revealed and you may contact the walī directly by phone, WhatsApp, or SMS — outside the app.

Question 41

Why no in-app chat?

Accepted Answer

In-app chat invites the same dynamics as dating apps. Speaking through the walī, family-to-family, keeps the process serious and honourable.

Question 42

What does walī contact look like in practice?

Accepted Answer

On a mutually-accepted introduction, a Contact Walī button reveals three options — Call, WhatsApp, SMS — wired to the walī phone number the candidate provided. No call or message passes through MAWADDAH's servers.

Question 43

What if a walī does not respond?

Accepted Answer

If a walī is unreachable, you can let your moderator know. They can support the family or, in some cases, reach out to confirm the walī's contact details.

Question 44

Who is eligible to apply?

Accepted Answer

Applicants must be 18 or older, sincerely intending nikāḥ, and willing to be reviewed by a moderator.

Question 45

How is misuse handled?

Accepted Answer

Profiles that show signs of casual or dating-style misuse are not approved. Reports from candidates, moderators, or families are reviewed and may lead to account restrictions or removal.

Question 46

How do I report a concern about a match or moderator?

Accepted Answer

Use the report option on the relevant page, or contact the team. Reports are reviewed by senior moderators.

Question 47

How long is my data kept after I delete?

Accepted Answer

Deleted profiles are removed from active use immediately. Limited records may be retained briefly for legal or safety reasons before final purge.

Question 48

Is my data encrypted?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Data is transmitted over HTTPS and stored with industry-standard protections. Sensitive fields are gated by privacy rules in addition to encryption.

Question 49

Can I track the stage of a match?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You and your walī can mark stages — Interested, Family contacted, Proceeding, Declined, or Married. These updates help the moderator support the family and stop surfacing competing introductions.

Question 50

Will I keep getting new matches if one is progressing?

Accepted Answer

By default, no. Once a match is actively progressing, the system reduces new introductions so the family can focus.

Question 51

What if a match falls through?

Accepted Answer

Update the outcome to Declined. The moderator is notified and your profile becomes eligible for new introductions again.

Question 52

What if — alḥamdulillāh — we marry?

Accepted Answer

Mark the outcome as Married. Your profile is deactivated, and we celebrate quietly with you. You can request full data deletion at any point.

Question 53

Why is MAWADDAH invitation-based in some regions?

Accepted Answer

We grow only as fast as we can recruit and vet moderators for each region. This protects quality and the seriousness of the process.

Question 54

Can I be notified when MAWADDAH opens in my region?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Create a profile and indicate your location — you will be notified as soon as moderator capacity is available.

Question 55

What features are planned next?

Accepted Answer

Family-side dashboards, deeper walī tooling, and broader regional rollout are on the roadmap. We add features carefully — nothing that compromises the privacy or seriousness of the process.

Questions families ask first.

About MAWADDAH

Privacy & Visibility

Moderators

AI & Matching

Walī & Family

Process & Workflow

Contact & Communication

Accounts, Safety & Reporting

Outcomes & After the Introduction

Beta, Regions & Roadmap