Virtual Gift Transactions on TikTok Live: A Hibah Contract Analysis within Islamic Economic Law

Abstract

The increasing use of virtual gifts on TikTok Live has generated legal uncertainty regarding their contractual basis within Islamic Economic Law. While previous studies mainly examine user behavior, monetization, and ethical aspects, limited attention has been given to their legal characterization through Islamic contracts. This study aims to assess the compatibility of virtual gift transactions with the hibah contract framework. Using normative library research with a qualitative descriptive approach, the study analyzes scholarly literature, Islamic legal doctrines, regulations, and relevant sources on digital transactions and hibah. The findings show that virtual gifts fulfill key elements of hibah, including voluntariness, identifiable donor and recipient parties, and the transfer of economic value. However, platform monetization, intermediary involvement, and the conversion of virtual gifts into financial benefits distinguish them from conventional hibah. The study proposes virtual gifts as a contemporary form of digital hibah and contributes to the development of Islamic Economic Law in addressing emerging digital transactions