By Sheikh Alie Kallay
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a modern concept that earlier Islamic scholars could not have foreseen. Yet Islam has always placed great importance on knowledge and those who seek it. From the very first revealed verses, Allah commanded His Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) to read: “Read in the name of your Lord, Who created Man from a clot of blood. Read, and your Lord is Most Bounteous, Who taught by the pen, Who taught man what he knew not” (Qur’an 96:1-5).
In Islam, knowledge is not limited to religious matters alone; it encompasses anything beneficial to a Muslim’s life, faith, and service to humanity. The Qur’an encourages observation and reflection on the world around us. This emphasis on knowledge elevates scholars, the Ulamaa, who stand as witnesses for justice, as Allah declares: “Allah bears witness that He has no partner, and so do the Angels and those possessed of knowledge, standing firm for justice; there is no deity except Him, the Mighty, the Wise” (Qur’an 3:18). The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) affirmed this, saying, “Whosoever paves a way of seeking knowledge, Allah shall ease his way to Paradise” (Compiled by Imam Muslim).
Artificial intelligence, as a form of knowledge, carries no inherent restrictions under Islamic law. According to Shari’ah, it is permissible, or Mubaah, because it benefits humanity. Scholars, including Sheikh Ahmad Ibn Abdul Halim Al-Harraani (Ibn Taymiyyah), have stated that anything without clear evidence of prohibition is allowed (Fataawa, Vol. 21, p. 528). Fiqh scholars agree that anything beneficial is lawful while anything harmful is forbidden. The purpose of Shari’ah is to promote the welfare of mankind in this world and the Hereafter.
Thus, AI is permissible under Islamic law as long as it serves human development, does not threaten security, and is not used to deceive or harm others. It complements both ancient and modern knowledge, expanding opportunities for learning, innovation, and progress. The Oxford Language Dictionary defines AI as “the application of computer systems able to perform tasks or produce outputs normally requiring human intelligence, especially by applying machine learning techniques to large collections of data.”
In conclusion, Islam permits the use of AI in daily life and development, provided it aligns with Shari’ah principles, serves humanity, and respects ethical boundaries.
