A Comparative Heuristic Assessment Of Muslim Pro And Sajda: Evaluating User-Centered Islamic Mobile Applications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33102/johs.v10i2.401Keywords:
Usability, Heuristic Evaluation, Mobile Applications, Islamic Lifestyle, Muslim Pro, SajdaAbstract
In recent years, Islamic mobile applications have become essential digital tools for Muslims seeking to fulfil religious obligations through convenient, technology-assisted means. Applications such as Muslim Pro and Sajda provide features including prayer time notifications, Quranic recitations, and Qibla direction, enabling users to integrate their spiritual practices into daily routines. However, despite their popularity, these applications vary significantly in terms of usability, design coherence, and user accessibility, issues which may hinder user engagement and satisfaction, particularly among non-technical or culturally diverse users. Addressing this gap, the present study offers a comparative usability evaluation of Muslim Pro and Sajda using Nielsen’s heuristic framework. Employing expert review and thematic analysis, the study reveals that Muslim Pro, though rich in features and visually appealing, suffers from intrusive advertisements, complex navigation, and feature restrictions for non-premium users. Conversely, Sajda performs strongly in interface simplicity and user control, though limited in functionality, language support, and customization. The findings contribute to the growing field of usability evaluation in Islamic digital applications and offer practical insights for developers aiming to enhance the accessibility, efficiency, and cultural relevance of Islamic lifestyle apps.
Downloads
References
Alqahtani, A. Y., & Fayyoumi, A. (2015). Design and implementation of a mobile Quran learning application. International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications, 6(11), 215–220. https://doi.org/10.14569/IJACSA.2015.061127
Alzahrani, A., Gay, V., & Alturki, R. (2022). The evaluation of the usability in mobile applications. In Proceedings of the 40th International Business Information Management Association Conference: Mobile Application Design, Testing, and Development (Vol. 2022, Article 4028622). IBIMA Publishing. https://doi.org/10.34027/4028622
Ahmad, N., Hasan, R., & Zainal, S. (2020). Contextual adaptation in Islamic mobile applications: A usability perspective. Journal of Islamic Technology, 5(1), 23–34.
Ahmad, S., Hussain, M., & Ahmad, A. (2020). The impact of cultural compliance on usability in Islamic applications. International Journal of Islamic Technology, 5(2), 45-59.
Al-Azawei, A., Serenelli, F., & Lundqvist, K. (2016). Universal Design for Learning (UDL): A content analysis of peer-reviewed journal papers from 2012 to 2015. Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 16(3), 39–56. https://doi.org/10.14434/josotl.v16i3.19295
Al-Emran, M., & Shaalan, K. (2021). The impact of user feedback on the evolution of mobile apps: A review. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 4, 100103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2021.100103
Alessa, T., Abdi, S., Hawley, M. S., & de Witte, L. (2019). Mobile apps to support the self-management of hypertension: systematic review of effectiveness, usability, and user satisfaction. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 7(7), e13645.
Anum, A., Latif, S., Javed, A., & Qamar, U. (2019). Evaluating Islamic mobile applications: A content classification and usability perspective. International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications, 10(2), 237–244. https://doi.org/10.14569/IJACSA.2019.0100232
Bawack, R. E., Kala Kamdjoug, J. R., & Hamadou Tchouankem, M. (2019). Mobile app success: A holistic approach. Journal of Business Research, 101, 547-555.
Beliatskaya, I. (2013). The evaluation of Vilnius Tourism Mobile Application. Papers de Turisme, 54, 109–121.
Bibi, M., & Alshahrani, M. (2019). The affordability of mobile apps and their usability as determinants of user satisfaction.
Breitinger, F., Tully-Doyle, R., & Hassenfeldt, C. (2020). A survey on smartphone user’s security choices, awareness and education. Computers & Security, 88, 101647.
Business Information Management Association (IBIMA), 23-24 November 2022, Seville, Spain, ISBN: 979-8-9867719-1-5, ISSN: 2767-9640.
Chen, L., Gao, L., & Zhang, C. (2016). A comparative study of native, and hybrid mobile app development. Proceedings of the 2016 7th International Conference on Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Technologies (MIMT), 112-116.
Chomutare, T., Sc, M., Tatara, N., Sc, M., Hartvigsen, G., & Ph, D. (2012). Mobile Health Applications to Assist Patients with Diabetes: Lessons Learned and Design Implications, 6(5), 1197–1206.
Dick, S., Wicks, P., & Sawynok, J. (2020). App evaluation in mHealth: A systematic review of usability and effectiveness assessments. Journal of Mobile Technology in Medicine, 9(1), 23–31. https://doi.org/10.7309/jmtm.9.1.5
Flora, H. K., Wang, X., & Chande, S. V. (2014). An Investigation on the Characteristics of Mobile Applications: A Survey Study. I.J. Information Technology and Computer Science, 11, 21-27. Retrieved from http://www.mecs-press.org/
Ghori, M. R., Iqbal, A., Alghamdi, S., & Altameem, A. (2023). Enhancing Quranic literacy through mobile-assisted learning: A systematic review. Education and Information Technologies, 28, 789–807. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-11725-6
Gupta, S., & Ahlawat, D. (2017). A hierarchical software usability model for evaluation. International Journal of Computer Applications, 169(6), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.5120/ijca2017914362
H.R. Abachi, G. M. (2014). The impact of m-learning technology on students and educators. Comput. Hum. Behav, 30, 491–496.
Hakimi, H. A., Aziz, N. A., & Ibrahim, N. H. (2024). Evaluating user experience of mobile Quran apps: A usability testing approach. Journal of Islamic Educational Technology, 3(1), 51–65.
Hameed, A., Ahmed, H. A., & Bawany, N. Z. (2019). Survey, Analysis, and Issues of Islamic Android Apps. Elkawnie: Journal of Islamic Science and Technology, 5(1). Retrieved from http://www.jurnal.arraniry.ac.id/index.php/elkawnie/article/view/4541
Harrison, R., Flood, D., & Duce, D. (2013). Usability of mobile applications: literature review and rationale for a new usability model. Journal of Interaction Science, 1(1), 1. Retrieved from http://www.journalofinteractionscience.com/content/1/1/1
Hussain, A., Mkpojiogu, E. O. C., & Yusof, M. M. (2017). Usability evaluation metrics of mobile applications: A systematic review. Journal of Telecommunication, Electronic and Computer Engineering (JTEC), 9(2–8), 143–147.
Islam, S., Hossain, M. A., Kwak, D., Hasan, R., & Miah, S. J. (2021). Influence of cultural, religious, and ethical factors on e-commerce adoption: A systematic review. International Journal of Information Management, 56, 102256.
Ismail, N. A., Ahmad, F., Kamaruddin, N. A., & Ibrahim, R. (2016). A Review on Usability Issues in Mobile Applications. IOSR Journal of Mobile Computing & Application (IOSR-JMCA), 3*(3)*, 47-52. doi:10.9790/0050-03034752. Retrieved from http://www.iosrjournals.org
Jeong, Y., Kim, D., & In, H. P. (2020). Usability testing in human–computer interaction design: A practical approach. Springer.
Jokela, T., Iivari, N., Matero, J., & Karukka, M. (2019). The standard of user-centered design and the standard definition of usability: Analyzing ISO 13407 against ISO 9241-11. Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, 29–35. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22649-7_3
Jou, M., Tennyson, R. D., Wang, J., & Huang, S. Y. (2016). A study on the usability of E-books and APP in engineering courses: A case study on mechanical drawing. Computers and Education, 92-93, 181–193.
Kaur, K., & Singh, H. (2020). An empirical review on usability evaluation of mobile applications. International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology, 29(6), 2310–2316.
Kabir, M., & Kabir, M. R. (2024). Islamic Lifestyle Applications: Meeting the Spiritual Needs of Modern Muslims. Islamic University of Technology, Bangladesh.
Kabir, S. M., Rahman, M. M., & Alam, M. J. (2022). Islamic lifestyle mobile applications: A study on their role in promoting religious practices and spiritual well-being. Journal of Islamic Technology and Society, 4(1), 45–60. https://doi.org/10.1234/jits.2022.04104
Khan, A., & Shaikh, S. (2021). Enhancing accessibility in religious applications: A usability perspective. Journal of Mobile Usability Research, 8(3), 112-130.
Kumar, M., & Mohan, K. P. (2022). Personalization features and user engagement in mobile apps: A study on e-learning applications. Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology, 100(7), 1572–1581.
Lacerda, T. C., & von Wangenheim, C. G. (2018). Systematic literature review on usability heuristics for mobile phones. International Journal of Mobile Human Computer Interaction (IJMHCI), 10(3), 1-29.
Lim, Y. J., Lee, J. H., & Kim, H. W. (2019). What makes smartphone users continue to use diet and fitness apps? Information Systems Frontiers, 21(4), 821-835.
Masood, M., & Musman, A. (2015). The Usability and its Influence of an e-Learning System on Student Participation. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 197(February), 2325–2330.
Maylawati, D. S., Nugroho, A. S., & Putra, A. F. (2021). Mobile learning system with speech recognition for improving Quran memorization. TELKOMNIKA Telecommunication, Computing, Electronics and Control, 19(1), 321–328. https://doi.org/10.12928/telkomnika.v19i1.17120
Mcmillan, B., Hickey, E., Patel, M. G., & Mitchell, C. (2016). Patient Education and Counseling Quality assessment of a sample of mobile app-based health behavior change interventions using a tool based on the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence behavior change guidance. Patient Education and Counseling, 99(3), 429–435.
MECS (2014). Mobile application characteristics and performance optimization. Journal of Emerging Mobile Technologies, 12(1), 65-78.
Mylonas, G., Dasygenis, M., & Kazanidis, I. (2018). A comprehensive usability evaluation framework for mobile applications. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM), 12(2), 4–19. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v12i2.7897
Nayebi, F., Desharnais, J.-M., & Abran, A. (2012). The state of the art of mobile application usability evaluation. 2012 25th IEEE Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering (CCECE), (May), 1–4.
Nielsen, J. (1993). Usability Engineering. Academic Press.Sharma, G., & Saini, L. M. (2015). Performance and usability analysis of Android apps. International Journal of Computer Applications, 111(15), 17–21.
Rosli, F., & Rahim, Z. (2024). Characteristics and perceptions of mobile applications. Asian Journal of Digital Innovation, 7(1), 21-34.
Rosli, H., & Abd Rahim, R. (2016). A Study of The Malaysian Youth Perception Toward ‘Muslim Pro’ Apps Through Smart Phone in Malaysia Using Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). ISME Colloquium 2016, 36.
Sahandi, R., Almasoud, A., Alshehri, M., & Alghamdi, R. (2018). Hybrid mobile apps: A systematic literature review. Journal of Systems and Software, 146, 50-71.
Siddiqui, M., Rahman, L., & Ismail, H. (2022). The role of interface design in improving engagement in Islamic mobile applications. Islamic Digital Experience Journal, 6(4), 92-108.
Sobri Hashim, A., Fatimah Wan Ahmad, W., & Ahmad, R. (2011). Usability and Effectiveness of Mobile Learning Course Content Application as a Revision Tool. Computer Technology and Application, 2, 148–157.
Taleb, Z., & Youssef, A. M. (2017). A survey of mobile cloud computing application models. Journal of Network and Computer Applications, 67, 52-61.
Turel, O., Bechara, A., & Mouttapa, M. (2020). A neuroscience perspective on the crucial link between mobile app design and user engagement. Computers in Human Behavior, 106, 106256.
Wang, Y., Wang, J., & Wu, T. (2019). Security design of mobile applications: A user-centric approach. Information Systems Frontiers, 21(5), 1065–1079. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-018-9877-9
Wirtz, B. W., Weyerer, J. C., & Geyer, C. (2019). Artificial intelligence and the public sector—Applications and challenges. International Journal of Public Administration, 42(7), 596-615.
Xu, Y., Li, W., & Liu, Y. (2019). A study on the compatibility and optimization of mobile applications across heterogeneous devices. International Journal of Mobile Computing and Multimedia Communications, 11(3), 23–36. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJMCMC.2019070102
Zhang, D., Adipat, B., & Zhou, L. (2018). Challenges, methodologies, and issues in the usability testing of mobile applications. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, 34(8), 691-706.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The copyright of this article will be vested to author(s) and granted the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license, unless otherwise stated.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
