ISSN: 2222-6990
Open access
The rapid growth of the global video game industry has opened new avenues for embedding Islamic elements into digital entertainment. Despite this, limited scholarly attention has been directed toward the representation of Islamic values, particularly aqidah (creed), ahkam (jurisprudence) and akhlaq (ethics), in mainstream video games, especially from a content-analytical and da'wah (religious outreach) perspective. This study employs a qualitative content analysis of 11 gameplay videos sourced from YouTube. The unit of analysis comprises video games that feature Islamic content, including titles from the Assassin’s Creed series, ruqyah-themed horror games (Iblis) and an umrah simulation in Roblox. Data were categorized into aqidah, ahkam and akhlaq themes and analyzed using Islamic scholarly literature and shariah guidelines. The findings reveal that several games incorporate explicit Islamic elements. Assassin’s Creed Mirage notably includes the call to prayer, ablution, prayer rituals and historical settings from the Abbasid era. The Roblox umrah simulation portrays proper rituals and etiquette, while Iblis uses Quranic recitations as spiritual protection. Ethical values, such as discipline in worship and respectful behavior, are presented through non-player character (NPC) interactions. These portrayals have also attracted positive feedback from non-Muslim audiences, who express appreciation for authentic depictions of Islamic practices. This study concludes that video games have significant potential as contemporary da'wah tools by incorporating Islamic elements in engaging, interactive ways. Such representations can enhance understanding of Muslim identity, support informal religious learning and help preserve Islamic heritage in digital spaces. Future studies are encouraged to examine player reception and develop structured frameworks for evaluating shariah-compliant digital games.
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