AI as a Tool for Religious Teaching, Not a Primary Reference
Amidst increasingly sophisticated technology that eases human life, the massive use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is also becoming rampant everywhere. Many people currently use AI as a tool or information source to assist with their affairs. For example, an educator uses AI to help create PowerPoint teaching materials, a student uses AI to help complete school homework, or someone simply needs quick and simple information about cooking tips, financial management tips, tips for finding suitable products, and so forth.
As recently went viral, preaching content on TikTok featuring a ‘preacher’ known as Ustadzah Hajar turned out to be an AI fabrication, undoubtedly created by a human. Because AI essentially follows commands (prompts) given by humans; it does not operate on its own. On that TikTok account, many people became followers, ultimately making this AI ustadzah a role model for obtaining Islamic teachings. This warrants scrutiny: is it permissible to make AI the primary reference for obtaining Islamic knowledge, as if replacing the role of scholars in issuing fatwas?
In fact, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has reminded the public, especially the younger generation who are close to technology, to be cautious and wise in using AI as a means of seeking religious information. They should not make AI the primary reference for understanding Islamic teachings, let alone replace the position of scholars. The results obtained must also be validated and verified before being used as guidance. For religious matters, especially fatwas, the primary references remain scholars and authorised religious institutions. There is a tradition of scholarly chains of transmission preserved from the past to the present as the basis of Islamic knowledge.
This is the challenge for the current generation in utilising technological sophistication within a system that often fails to consider or filter true and false digital information. In Islam, it is clear that there are four sources of law: the Qur’an, the Sunnah, the consensus of the companions, and analogy obtained through ijtihad. These four should serve as the foundation for Muslims in deriving rulings. The role of rational and knowledgeable scholars is needed to provide legal opinions or information to the public based on these sources and conveyed solely out of fear of Allah. Therefore, making AI the primary source for exploring Islamic law or teachings is wrong. It must be remembered that AI is an artificial human intelligence that retrieves data based on what humans disseminate in the digital world, so the answers provided by AI might be satisfying and seem appropriate but are not entirely correct according to Sharia, and could even be misleading.
As Allah has reminded humanity in His words: ‘And We sent not before you except men to whom We revealed [Our message]. So ask the people of the message if you do not know.’ (QS. An-Nahl: 43). This shows us the need to study Islamic teachings more deeply based on valid sources provided by Allah through knowledgeable individuals who are qualified and do not deviate from Allah’s law. AI should be used wisely as a tool or channel for information in accordance with Sharia law, not as a replacement for scholars in issuing fatwas. Remember, every action we take in this world will be held accountable, including the use of AI.