Artificial Intelligence: Between Technical Evolution and Shari’a Responsibility A Contemporary Islamic Vision
The world is currently witnessing rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies, to the extent that these tools have become integral to various aspects of life—particularly in economics, education, culture, media, and public services.
In the face of this profound transformation, there is an urgent need to examine the dimensions of AI from an ethical and religious perspective that balances leveraging modern achievements with preserving human values and Shari’a (Islamic law) regulations.
In this context, scholars and specialists affirm that AI is a product of human intellect and creativity, falling under the divine indication: "And He creates that which you do not know" (Surah An-Nahl: 8). This verse alludes to emerging scientific and technical innovations that were previously unknown.
Today, AI has become the foundation for many modern applications, such as e-government, smart cities, autonomous vehicles, drones, and other technologies that contribute to facilitating human life.
However, regardless of its significant benefits, this evolution is not without difficulties and potential risks. Therefore, there is a necessity to regulate, control, and monitor the use of AI, taking the required measures to mitigate its negative impacts—especially in sensitive fields related to religion and Fatwa (legal rulings), where this issue must be given special attention.
Artificial Intelligence and Shari’a Fatwa
Scholars and researchers in jurisprudence academies and scientific conferences have reached a consensus that AI can serve as a supportive tool for gathering, analyzing, and classifying Shari’a information, as well as facilitating access to it. However, it is impermissible to rely on it independently to derive Shari’a rulings or issue Fatwas.
Fatwa issuance requires the direct presence of a qualified jurist (faqih), as rulings vary based on the seeker’s circumstances, time, place, customs, and socio-economic conditions. These nuanced human considerations cannot be independently comprehended by AI. Furthermore, a prerequisite for a Mufti in Islamic Shari’a is to be a legally accountable person (mukallaf), a condition that cannot be fulfilled by technical systems.
Consequently, the role of AI in the field of Ifta (issuing rulings) remains supportive rather than substitutive, in application of the verse: "So ask the people of the message if you do not know" (Surah An-Nahl: 43). Trustworthy scholars remain the ultimate reference in issuing rulings and bearing Shari’a responsibility.
Areas of Practical Application for AI
Practical experience, including that of the Fatwa Center under the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan, has proven that AI can be employed in several fields, most notably:
• Analyzing and Classifying Inquiries: Categorizing incoming Shari’a questions by topic and region and identifying the most frequent ones.
• Speech-to-Text Conversion: Transforming audio questions and answers into written text and storing them in organized databases.
• Supporting Fatwa Experts: Suggesting previously archived answers to experts, which are only sent to the inquirer after review and approval by specialists.
• Enhancing Community Security: Through smart, digital, and safe city projects.
• Combating Corruption: By reducing human intervention in administrative procedures.
• Operating in Hazardous Environments: Utilizing smart technologies in environments that are dangerous or harmful to human health.
• Dawah and Education: Facilitating access to Islamic knowledge, lessons, and sermons, and developing educational content that serves the Muslim Ummah.
• Humanity at the Center of Technical Evolution
Specialists emphasize that humans must remain at the heart of the AI development process, and that these technologies must be managed based on a solid ethical and value-based foundation. Technology is not an end in itself, but a means to serve humanity and facilitate its affairs; it should not become a substitute for man or a tool that controls his destiny.
In this framework, the real challenge lies in reconciling AI with religious requirements, legal standards, and national values, ensuring the achievement of cognitive and technical development without compromising Shari’a and human responsibility.
In conclusion, AI, if used with wisdom and clear regulations, can be a great aid to humanity across various fields. Religious and scientific institutions in the Islamic world—including the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan—affirm their permanent readiness to actively participate in employing these modern technologies to spread Islamic knowledge, foster dialogue between religion and science, and contribute to finding solutions for contemporary global challenges.
The ultimate goal remains to harness the blessings of science and technology for the betterment of humanity, in a manner that pleases Allah the Almighty and reinforces the moral values that are the foundation of stability and progress.
Sheikh Nuriddin Khaliqnazar
“Discover Pakistan” TV channel airs special program about Spiritual and Educational Heritage of Uzbekistan
A special program dedicated to the First International Forum of Islamic Civilization held in Uzbekistan was broadcast on the popular Pakistani TV channel “Discover Pakistan”, reports Dunyo IA.
Television project in the Urdu language was prepared by the creative team of the “Discover Pakistan” TV channel, which participated in the work of the First International Forum of Islamic Civilization.
The program extensively covers the main outcomes of the forum, its international significance, as well as Uzbekistan's activities in preserving the heritage of Islamic civilization and the ongoing reforms in the country's spiritual and educational sphere.
It was noted that the forum has become an authoritative international platform, uniting renowned scholars, religious figures, as well as state and public figures from various countries around the world. It was emphasized that within the framework of the event, important initiatives were put forward aimed at promoting the ideas of religious tolerance, interethnic harmony and enlightened Islam, as well as strengthening spiritual and educational approaches in countering extremism and radicalism.
Particular attention in the program was paid to the large-scale reforms implemented in the spiritual and educational sphere under the leadership of the President of Uzbekistan, the study of the rich heritage of great thinkers, the support of scientific research, and the promotion of the unique legacy of Islamic culture and civilization on the international arena.
Audience was also presented with detailed information on the contribution of Samarkand, Tashkent and Termez as recognized centers of science and enlightenment to the development of world Islamic civilization.
Program included interviews with a number of foreign scholars and experts who participated in the forum. They noted that the forum plays an important role in further strengthening cultural and humanitarian cooperation between states and peoples, as well as in promoting the principles of religious tolerance and mutual respect.
According to the television program host, the initiatives put forward within the framework of the forum received positive assessment from the international community and contribute to the development of science, education and intercultural dialogue.
“Open and constructive foreign policy of Uzbekistan, as well as the country’s efforts to create international platforms for dialogue, received high praise”, program notes.
Special program broadcast on the “Discover Pakistan” TV channel allowed the Pakistani audience to become closer acquainted with the rich spiritual and enlightenment heritage of Uzbekistan and the substance of the First International Forum of Islamic Civilization.
