Is Implanting Neuralink Chips in the Brain Permissible? NU Congress Discusses the Issue
The development of Brain-Computer Interface (BC/I) technology presents new challenges in Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh). One such issue is the use of the Neuralink chip, a device implanted into human brain tissue to capture neuronal activity and translate it into commands for electronic devices.
As a primary pioneer, Neuralink has reportedly implanted BCI devices in 21 human patients as of January 2026.
This issue was one of the topics discussed during the 35th Bahtsul Masail Waqi’iyyah of the NU Congress held at the Bahrul Ulum Tambakberas Islamic Boarding School, Jombang, East Java, from 26–31 August 2026. The scholars discussed the legality of implanting chips into human brain tissue, specifically for medical or restorative purposes.
The drafter of the Bahtsul Masail Waqi’iyyah, KH Mahbub Ma’afi Ramdan, explained that the discussion distinguished the use of BCI technology based on its purpose and level of development. In the decision document, the use of BCI for medical or restorative purposes is recognised as an existing technology intended, among other things, to assist patients with severe paralysis or communication disorders resulting from specific medical conditions.
In this context, the 35th NU Congress decided that implanting chips into human brain tissue for medical/restorative purposes is permissible. This decision is based on the consideration that such actions fall under ‘tadawi’, or medical treatment, which is permitted under Sharia law.
“The ruling on implanting chips into human brain tissue within the Medical/Restorative cluster is permissible, as it is included in permitted medical treatment,” stated Kiai Mahber, as quoted on Saturday (5/9/2026).
However, this permission is not absolute. The Bahtsul Masail established several requirements that must be met before the chip implantation is performed.
Firstly, the level of safety and the success rate of the chip implantation must be greater than its risks. In other words, the expected medical benefits must outweigh the potential dangers posed by the procedure. Secondly, the effectiveness and success rate of the implantation must be assessed and carried out by competent medical professionals.
The third requirement is that the chip implantation must only be performed when no alternative treatments involving non-surgical methods are available. This provision indicates that invasive procedures on the human body must be treated as a choice backed by strong medical justification.
In the Bahtsul Masail document, BCI technology is categorised into several clusters based on research from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).
“BRIN divides the use of Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology or brain implants into three large clusters, to distinguish between what is currently real, what is established, and what remains theoretical,” said Kiai Mahbub.
The first cluster is the medical/restorative cluster. This is real technology currently in operation. Examples include Neuralink with the N1 implant, Synchron with the Stentrode, and BrainGate from an academic research consortium.