FAQ
Questions, answered.
If we missed yours, write to sakinah.help@gmail.com, we read every message, in shā Allāh.
Faith & adab
Is Sakinah a dating app?
No. Dating apps are built around browsing and entertainment. Sakinah is built around marriage. Every screen, default, and notification is shaped by that, from vanishing photos to wali visibility to question prompts that push toward seriousness instead of small-talk.
Who is Sakinah for?
Practicing Muslims, eighteen or older, who are seriously looking for a spouse. If you are casually browsing or experimenting, Sakinah is not the right app for you, and that is by design.
Are the principles reviewed by scholars?
The product decisions that touch directly on Islamic practice, wali involvement, photo modesty, conversation boundaries, are reviewed by imams and community advisors we are working with. We will publish the advisors and their guidance before launch, in shā Allāh.
Privacy
Can people see me without my knowing?
No. There are no photos in the feed at all, you are matched on character first. A photo is only revealed once, for five seconds, after both sides confirm interest, and it cannot be saved or screenshotted. There is no anonymous browsing, if you are seen, the other person consented to be seen by you too.
How do photos work?
Your face is never a thumbnail in a feed and never something to be collected. When both sides confirm interest, wali aware, you each get a single five-second glance at the other person. After five seconds the photo disappears, and the app blocks screenshots and screen recording so it cannot be saved or passed around. A glance to confirm, not a gallery to browse.
Do you sell or share my data?
Never. We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We do not run third-party advertising in the app. We do not target you with promotions based on your behaviour. The full details are in our privacy policy.
What happens when I delete my account?
Your profile, photos, and messages are deleted within thirty days, except where we are legally required to retain limited records (for example, to handle reports of harm). Backups are rotated on a thirty-day cycle.
Matching
How does Sakinah decide who to show me?
Matches are based on what you tell us about your deen, family, stage of life, and what you are looking for in a spouse, not on engagement metrics or how often you open the app. We do not optimise for swipes or screen time; we optimise for sincerity of fit.
Can I filter by sect, madhhab, or ethnicity?
Yes. You can filter by sect, madhhab, level of practice, language, ethnicity, and where you are open to living. Filters are private, the people you filter never know.
How many matches will I see?
A small, considered number per day, not an infinite feed. The goal is for you to focus on the people in front of you, not to keep scrolling for someone better.
Wali
Do I need a wali to use Sakinah?
Sisters are strongly encouraged to add a wali, and the experience is designed around that. Brothers may add a parent or trusted older relative if they wish. Either way, wali tools are free and never gated by a paywall.
What does my wali see?
Your wali sees the matches you receive and the conversations you invite them into. They do not see your private messages before mutual interest, the profiles you pass on, or your browsing history. Wali is not surveillance, it is partnership.
What if my wali is far away or doesn't speak English?
Wali tools work on any phone, in basic data conditions, and the interface will be available in major languages at launch, including Arabic, Urdu, Bahasa, Turkish, and French.
Pricing
How much does Sakinah cost?
Browse for free, then choose a plan when you are ready to message: $24.99/month, $109.99 for six months ($18.33/mo, the most popular), or $249.99 once until you are married. All prices are in US dollars (USD). See the Pricing page for what each plan includes.
What if I cannot afford it?
Sakinah has a hardship program, free access for sincere applicants who cannot pay, covered by Sakinah at our own cost. A small volunteer team reviews each application within forty-eight hours. The full details are on the Pricing page.
Support
How do I reach you?
Email sakinah.help@gmail.com. We read every message, in shā Allāh, and reply quickly.
When is the app launching?
August 2026, in shā Allāh, in a small set of cities to start. Join the waitlist and we will let you know the moment your city is included.
Still have questions?
We read every email.
Write to sakinah.help@gmail.com and a real human, not a bot, will write back to you, in shā Allāh.