Type of the article: Research Article
Abstract
Rapid digitalization is redefining how consumers evaluate Islamic banks, where technological progress must align with Shariah principles to ensure transparency, fairness, and credibility. In this context, digital marketing serves as a critical bridge between technological innovation and ethical communication. This study investigates how digital marketing effectiveness shapes trust and engagement, and how these factors, in turn, influence adoption intention in Islamic banking. It further examines the moderating role of religiosity and compares structural relationships across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey conducted from January to April 2025 collected data from 824 clients of Islamic banks (Saudi Arabia = 297, United Arab Emirates = 205, Jordan = 322). The data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling, measurement invariance testing, multi-group analysis, and moderation-mediation procedures. All respondents were Muslim account holders who had interacted with an Islamic bank’s digital marketing campaign within the preceding six months. Digital marketing effectiveness significantly increased trust (β = 0.662, t = 15.42) and engagement (β = 0.628, t = 13.88). Adoption intention was jointly predicted by trust (β = 0.422, t = 10.17) and engagement (β = 0.377, t = 9.83), explaining 60.2 percent of the variance. Religiosity strengthened both relationships, with stronger effects in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates than in Jordan. Transparent, interactive, and ethically consistent digital marketing enhances trust and engagement, providing the behavioral foundation for Islamic digital banking adoption.