AI Is Getting Smarter, Is Islamic Commercial Law Ready to Follow?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a future technology. It has become part of daily life, from writing articles and creating designs to translating languages and serving customers via chatbots. Many business actors are even using AI to create promotional content, analyse markets, and run their businesses more efficiently. This phenomenon raises an interesting question: when AI begins to take over some human tasks, how does Islam view business practices involving this technology? Are all AI-based economic activities automatically justified under Islamic commercial law (fikih muamalah)? In Islam, technological development is not something to be rejected. A legal maxim states that the original ruling for commercial transactions is permissibility (al-ashlu fil mu’amalat al-ibahah), as long as it does not contradict sharia principles. Therefore, the use of AI in business is fundamentally allowed because it serves as a tool to enhance efficiency and productivity. However, problems arise when AI is no longer just a tool but is used for harmful practices, such as creating fake reviews, generating product images that do not reflect reality, or producing misleading promotional content. In these cases, the issue lies not with the technology itself, but with how humans utilise it. Fikih muamalah places honesty and transparency as core principles in transactions. Consumers have the right to receive accurate information about the goods or services offered. When AI is used to manipulate information, the transaction potentially contains elements of gharar (uncertainty) and even tadlis (fraud), which are clearly prohibited in Islam. AI also presents new challenges in the world of work. Many companies are replacing administrative roles, customer service, and content creation with automated systems. On one hand, this increases efficiency. On the other, these changes require society to upgrade its skills to remain competitive. Thus, the development of AI should be seen as a momentum to improve human resource quality, rather than merely a threat to employment. Amidst rapid technological advancement, Islamic economics plays a vital role as a balancing force. Business success is not solely measured by efficiency and profit, but also by the fulfilment of justice, honesty, responsibility, and public welfare. AI can be a means to accelerate economic growth if used to improve service quality, expand access to information, and help businesses grow healthily. Ultimately, the biggest challenge is not whether AI will replace humans, but whether humans can use AI while upholding business ethics. Technology will continue to evolve, but sharia values must remain the foundation of all commercial activities. For technological progress without integrity will only produce efficiency, not blessing.