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The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Drafting Religious Edicts (Fatwas)
Author : Dr. Mousa Za`atreh
Date Added : 09-01-2024

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Drafting Religious Edicts (Fatwas)

 

 

 

Introduction:

 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is considered one of the modern technologies characterized by rapid advancement and significant impact in various fields[1]. Among these fields are religious edicts (fatwas) and legal rulings, as they hold a crucial place in the lives of Muslims who seek religious consultations and guidance in various aspects of their life. The influence of artificial intelligence has affected the dissemination and formulation of religious edicts by providing reputable and specialized references in Islamic jurisprudence. Therefore, in this article, we will explore the impact of artificial intelligence on the spread and formulation of religious edicts.

 

Definition of Artificial Intelligence:

 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science and a fundamental pillar that underlies current technological advancements. It involves computers simulating intelligent processes that occur within the human mind. The term Artificial Intelligence, often abbreviated as (AI), can be defined as the capability of machines and digital computers to perform specific tasks that mimic and resemble those carried out by intelligent beings[2].

 

Artificial Intelligence refers to the ability of computer devices and programs to execute tasks resembling activities performed by humans. It involves deducing conclusions from data and making intelligent decisions based on algorithms [3] and machine learning. Artificial Intelligence technologies include machine learning, deep learning [4], natural language processing [5], data analysis, and pattern recognition.

 

The impact of artificial intelligence on the dissemination of religious edicts (fatwas):

Artificial intelligence facilitates access to Sharia-related information and answers by analyzing and processing the vast amount of available religious information in books, articles, and previous fatwas. Using machine learning techniques, artificial intelligence can provide quick and accurate religious answers to users and inquirers.

 

However, artificial intelligence has both advantages and disadvantages:

 

Among the advantages of artificial intelligence on religious edicts (fatwas) are:

 

1-Artificial intelligence enables the categorization and organization of religious edicts (fatwas) and legal rulings based on topics, scholars, and references. This allows individuals searching for specific fatwas or legal rulings to easily find information, efficiently navigate reputable sources, and engage directly with religious authorities and respected scholars. This interaction can occur through chat platforms or smart bots, allowing individuals to pose questions and receive direct and immediate answers.

 

2-Another advantage is the capability of artificial intelligence to translate and localize religious edicts and legal rulings from various languages into the user's language. This feature provides a broader and more comprehensive understanding of religious information and offers religious guidance in different languages [6].

 

3-AI enables the spread of religious edicts by allowing individuals easy access to numerous sources of fatwas, whether through online platforms or available applications. It enables effective data browsing and searching, making fatwas and religious information more widely and rapidly accessible to everyone.

4-In the era of modern technology, individuals face the challenge of verifying the accuracy of information received from various sources. AI provides Muslims with the means to verify the authenticity of information, enhancing their ability to distinguish between reliable and unreliable sources.

 

Among the disadvantages of artificial intelligence on religious edicts (fatwas) are:

 

1-Artificial intelligence has some negative impacts, especially when it comes to issuing religious edicts and dealing with religious texts. Its deficiency in human-like comprehension makes it challenging to understand the nuances of context and intricate details in religious queries. The skill of comprehending the context and conducting a deep analysis of religious texts, essential for issuing accurate fatwas, is considered a distinctive capability of scholars and religious authorities. For instance, in cases of divorce rulings, these require dialogue with the involved parties and a deep understanding of the wording used, including gauging emotional states. Divorce having taken place may be a reality, but the results from artificial intelligence may not reflect it accurately.

 

2-The use of artificial intelligence may lead to the abandonment of the human aspect, with questions and answers being handled automatically. This could result in the loss of the intellectual and interpretive dimension that distinguishes scholars and experts, especially in financial disputes. Such disputes often require hearing from the opposing party, expressing opinions that may lead to entirely different fatwas compared to those generated by artificial intelligence.

 

3-There are some biased and suspicious platforms for issuing religious edicts that may contradict the consensus of different Islamic schools of thought. Artificial intelligence is not capable of discerning the abnormal or the least preponderant opinion (fatwa) within a particular school of thought. This can lead to confusion in religious edicts, as providing fatwas and offering religious guidance requires deep knowledge in Islamic sciences, understanding the cultural and social context of the inquirers. AI may lack the human aspect and personal experience, thus unable to apply personal considerations that involve direct human interaction.

 

4-Disregard for Jurisprudential Principles: This type of artificial intelligence may not consider the foundational principles in religious edicts. It might mix the principles of different schools of thought, leading to confusion in fatwa issuance. The AI lacks the capability for independent reasoning (ijtihad) and deduction in issuing rulings on specific issues. Instead, it merely compiles the principles of the issue from multiple sources and forms an answer to the question posed to it, irrespective of the correctness or incorrectness of the answer from a religious perspective.

 

5-Despite these potential effects, artificial intelligence is a human effort that has supplied it with information, making the human role limited to providing references. It offers users a perspective on a specific topic and should not be considered an absolute judgment excusable before Allah. It is essential to verify the information produced by artificial intelligence by referring to scholars. It is crucial to emphasize that artificial intelligence can be a tool for disseminating both correct and incorrect religious edicts. Caution is advised, especially in issuing religious edicts, to preserve the human dimension and the necessary cultural and ethical considerations for providing comprehensive and balanced religious edicts.

 

 

 

[1] Artificial Intelligence: Principles and Applications, by Dr. Sami Al-Harbi, p. 16.

[2] Artificial Intelligence Methods, by Ahmed Hani Hammad, p. 1.

[3] An algorithm is a set of mathematical and logical steps needed to solve a specific problem. The term "algorithm" is named after the scientist Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, who invented it in the ninth century AD.

[4] Deep learning is a method in artificial intelligence that teaches computer systems to process data in a way inspired by the human brain. Deep learning models recognize complex patterns in images, texts, sounds, and other data to produce accurate insights and predictions.

[5] Natural Language Processing: It is a machine learning technique that enables computer systems to interpret, process, and understand human language.

[6] Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Education, by Mariam Shoukry Abdel Rahman, p. 5 (approximate translation).

 

 

 

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

What are the conditions for a valid Udhiyah?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
First: The age of the animal must meet the Sharia requirements. These requirements vary depending on the type of sacrifice:
 
Camels: Must have completed five years and entered their sixth.
 
Cows: Must have completed two years and entered their third.
 
Goats: Must have completed two years and entered their third. As for Sheep, they must have completed one year and entered their second.
 
Some scholars have permitted goats that have completed one year and entered their second.
 
The Hanafi school, along with an opinion in the Maliki school, permits sacrificing sheep that are at least six months old, provided they are healthy and physically substantial. According to the Shafi’i school, it is permissible if the sheep sheds its front teeth (ajdha') before reaching one year [Al-Iqna’, by Al-Shirbini (Vol.2/P.588)].
 
Second: Soundness and freedom from defects. The animal must be free from any defect that causes a decrease in its meat or market value. This is based on the hadith narrated by Al-Bara' bin 'Azib, that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
 
"Four [defects] are not permissible in sacrifices: A one-eyed animal whose blindness is evident, a sick animal whose illness is evident, a lame animal whose lameness is evident, and an emaciated animal that has no marrow in its bones." [Reported by Abu Dawood and Al-Tirmidhi, who graded it as authentic].
 
These defects are detailed as follows:
 
Evident Lameness: It is not permissible to sacrifice a lame animal if the lameness is severe enough to prevent it from walking to the pasture or seeking food, as this leads to a decrease in its meat. However, slight lameness that does not hinder its grazing is overlooked.
 
Evident Blindness (One-eyed): It is not permissible to sacrifice a sheep, cow, or camel that has a white film over its eye blocking light, or one that has lost an eye entirely. Weak vision that does not affect its ability to eat does not prevent the sacrifice from being valid.
 
Evident Illness: An animal with a clear sickness that prevents it from eating or moving is not valid. This includes severe mange (Jarab) that spoils the meat.
 
Extreme Emaciation: An animal so thin that there is no marrow left in its bones is invalid. The standard for emaciation that invalidates the sacrifice is that which spoils the quality of the meat to the point that people would find it undesirable even in times of plenty.
 
Additional Considerations:
These are the defects mentioned in the Prophetic tradition, and any defect that causes emaciation or reduces the meat or value is compared to them by analogy. This includes animals that are mentally unstable (diseased), those with mange, or those with a missing ear. In contrast, a slit or pierced ear does not affect the validity of the sacrifice. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What type of illness that permits breaking the fast in Ramadan?

It is an illness that, if one fasts, there is a fear it may lead to their death or cause unbearable hardship.

Is it permissible for a mother to stop her daughter from marrying a respectable, God-fearing young man because he isn't college/university graduate?

It is impermissible to deny a woman her right in getting married except for a lawful reason, and problems can be solved through dialogue. However, she can file a suit in order for the judge to have a say in that regard.

What is the ruling on performing istinja' with perfumed tissues or a tissue moistened with water?

Performing istinja' with perfumed or moistened tissues is not sufficient if they are not dry, due to the moisture on them reaching the impurity, which increases its spread rather than reducing it. Then, to remove the impurity, one must use pure water. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

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