A Fiqh Muamalah Review of In-Game Transactions in the Digitalization of Indonesian Traditional Games: A Sustainable Digital Consumption Perspective

Abstract

The digitalization of Indonesian traditional games such as gaple, congklak, and snake and ladders has introduced a new phenomenon in the form of in-game transactions that require a Sharia review. The shift from culturally rooted games to commercial digital products raises questions about the permissibility of transactions occurring within them. This study aims to analyze in-game transactions in digitalized traditional games based on the principles of fiqh muamalah and their relevance to sustainable digital consumption in line with the SDGs. The research employs a qualitative approach through a literature study, analyzing both classical and contemporary fiqh muamalah sources as well as documentation of digital gaming applications. The findings indicate that in-game transactions in digitalized traditional games exhibit various contractual characteristics, ranging from simple buying and selling to transactions containing elements of gharar and maysir, which should be avoided. The novelty of this research lies in its comprehensive analysis that integrates fiqh muamalah studies with cultural digitalization—an aspect that has not been previously examined. The study’s implications provide guidance for local game developers to implement Sharia-compliant business models and protect Muslim consumers from exploitative practices. The limitation of this research is its focus on theoretical analysis without direct observation of consumer behavior in practice.