What is Halal Digital Marketing and Why It Matters
As a practicing Muslim stepping into the digital marketing landscape, you’ll notice many aspects of mainstream marketing don’t align with your beliefs and values. All you have to do is tap onto your favourite social media app, and you’re inundated with immodest content and misleading messaging. So how should you proceed? This is where halal marketing steps in.
In this post I’m going to share insights into the problem with mainstream marketing, what halal digital marketing is, why it matters, and how to market your business the halal way.
Through the steps outlined in this article, you’ll be able to take action and invite barakah into your business for long-term success, InShaAllah.
The Problem with Mainstream Marketing
The goal of mainstream marketing is to be as universal and broad as possible in order to reach as many people as possible. Examples include TV commercials, use of celebrities to promote fast-food, alcohol, and fashion brands, and campaigns by internationally loved brands such as Coca-Cola and Nike.
The problem with mainstream marketing for Muslims is the use of haram (forbidden) techniques in order to increase brand awareness. These include:
Trends involving music and dance
Promotion of haram products and industries
Over sexualisation and immodest behaviour
Misleading language, such as exaggerated claims, emotional triggers, and fear-based messaging.
Many Muslim business and brand owners fall into the trap of mainstream marketing techniques. In a world where fast-tracking business growth, reach, and engagement takes priority, it’s important to avoid haram marketing in order to invite Allah’s blessings into your business.
What is Halal Digital Marketing?
Halal digital marketing is the answer to your marketing woes as a Muslim looking for the “straight path” when promoting your brand. It’s about ensuring your marketing efforts remain ethical, honest, and respectful of Islamic values. Here’s how:
Use non-instrumental sounds, nasheeds, and the sounds of nature (birdsongs and ocean waves).
Avoid promoting alcohol, gambling, or any other products and services considered haram.
Individuals, especially women, should be presented respectfully and with modesty.
Use of honest, transparent, and ethical marketing communications, avoiding misleading and deceptive messaging.
It’s important to remember in the age of social media, your content has the potential of reaching a worldwide audience. This makes it even more important to be mindful of the influence your products, services, and marketing efforts will have on those exposed to your content.
Why Halal Digital Marketing Matters
Your content will outlive you. If you want your business to be a means of inviting barakah (blessings) in this life and your akhira (afterlife), then halal digital marketing matters. Thankfully, we’re seeing a rise in demand for ethical marketing that stays true to Islamic values. Brands such as The Pillars App are a great example of this.
However, many Muslim brands, including modest clothing brands and influencers, use haram marketing techniques to grow their audience and reach. For example, Muslim women who wear hijab yet post videos of themselves in figure-hugging clothes with trending sounds in the background.
As a Muslim, it’s important to re-evaluate your current digital marketing efforts to adhere to Islamic principles and values.
How to Market Your Business the Halal Way
Now that you understand what halal digital marketing is and its importance, lets take a look at how to get started with your very own halal marketing journey:
1) Be honest about what you’re selling
Don’t over-promise in your ads and content. Tell the truth and let your products and services speak for themselves.
A great way to let you audience know the real benefit your customers and clients have gained from investing in your offer is by sharing reviews and testimonials.
2) Be clear and upfront
Make sure prices, terms, and details of your product or service are easy to understand. Don’t hide fees or confuse people just to make a sale.
3) Use respectful and modest images
Avoid using photos and videos that go against Islamic values. For example, showing women in tight-fitted or revealing clothing, and promoting inappropriate behaviour and speech.
4) Stay away from promoting haram products, services, and even shirk
Regardless of whether it’s popular or trendy, avoid advertising anything that involves haram food, alcohol, gambling, and interest-based loans.
Avoid promoting materialism and consumerism, the pursuit of excessive wealth, and even positioning your brand and yourself as someone who should be admired. Without realising, you could find yourself promoting shirk (idolatry).
5) Focus on helping, not selling
Rather than trying to earn as much money as possible, think about how your product or service can benefit your customers and wider audience. Don’t mislead, use emotional triggers, or fear-based messaging to make sales.
What problem are you solving for the Muslim community? What value are you offering? How will your product and service benefit customers for years to come? Highlight these in your marketing campaigns.
6) Respect your audience’s values
Marketing to Muslims involves understanding their culture and beliefs. Non-Islamic holidays such as Christmas and Halloween create major hype throughout the year, offering great opportunities to make sales, but you should avoid creating content about these themes. Instead focus on creating content and products centred around important Islamic dates such as Ramadan and Eid.
7) Work with Muslim creators and agencies who understand what matters
If you’re not sure how to keep things halal, work with Muslim creatives, marketers, or agencies who understand what matters to you and your audience.
At Marketing With Yasmin, I offer digital marketing solutions for Muslim businesses, brands, and content creators. Take a look at my services, and drop me a message if you’re interested in finding out more.