Saturday, January 7, 2023

Islam in the Age of Technology & Artificial Intelligence by Noor Mohamed

Islam, the only religion which has scriptural text revealed by God that hasn't been outdated and remain intact since the time of its revelation. Nevertheless, Islam has had to adapt to the rapidly and fast-track changing landscape of technology in the modern world. One of the most significant ways in which technology has impacted Islam is through the proliferation of online platforms for communication and the spread of information. In the past, the dissemination of Islamic teachings and ideas was largely dependent on traditional methods such as word of mouth, the printing press, and religious texts. However, with the advent of the internet and social media, Islamic scholars and religious leaders now have the ability to reach a global audience instantly. This has led to a more diverse range of interpretations and viewpoints on Islamic teachings, as well as a greater level of access to a wide range of religious texts and resources.

On the other hand, the rapid spread of information has also led to the proliferation of false, wrong, extremist ideologies, innovative teachings, and misinformation. Some have used technology to spread hate speech and incite violence in the name of Islam, leading to a negative perception of the religion in the eyes of many.

Overall, technology has had a complex impact on Islam. While it has provided new opportunities for the spread of knowledge and understanding, it has also contributed to the spread of extremism and misinformation. It is important for Muslims to be mindful of this and use technology responsibly in order to promote the positive values of their religion.



Artificial intelligence (AI) has had a number of impacts on Islam, just as it has had impacts on many other aspects of society. Some of the ways in which AI has impacted Islam include:
  • * Translation of the Qur'an: AI has been used to translate the Qur'an into different languages, making it more accessible to non-Arabic speakers. While some traditionalists may argue that the Qur'an should only be translated by human scholars, others see the use of AI as a way to make the Qur'an more widely available and to reach a larger audience.


  • * Islamic finance: AI has also been used in the field of Islamic finance, which is a system of financial practices that are based on Islamic principles. For example, AI has been used to automate the process of identifying and screening potential investments that are compliant with Islamic law.


  • * Online fatwas: Some Muslim scholars have used AI to answer questions and provide guidance on Islamic matters through online platforms. This has made it easier for people to access Islamic knowledge and seek guidance from scholars, but it has also raised questions about the reliability and authority of these online fatwas.


  • * Social media: AI has also had an impact on the way Islam is discussed and perceived on social media. Some have used AI to spread extremist ideologies and incite violence in the name of Islam, leading to a negative perception of the religion in the eyes of many. Others have used AI to counter this narrative and promote a more positive image of Islam on social media.

* ChatGPT - is an artificial intelligence system that can be developed as a database that can hold all Islamic resources in one location and provide an expert answer to all kinds of questions as if being answered by any expert Islamic scholar with a detailed focus on authentic Arabic sources as the basis for all answers.

Overall, AI has had a complex impact on Islam. While it has provided new opportunities for the spread of knowledge and understanding, it has also contributed to the spread of false, wrong, extremism, innovative teachings, and misinformation. It is important for Muslims to be mindful of this and use AI responsibly in order to promote the positive values of their religion