AI in Islam: Ruling on using AI (artificial intelligence) to seek Fatwas?

Question: What is the ruling on using AI in Islam to seek Fatwas and Islamic verdicts? Can artificial intelligence tools be used to collect Islamic material for research work?

 

Summary of Answer: It is not permissible to depend on an AI-produced fatwa or act upon it. Instead, guidance must be sought from trustworthy, authentic and knowledgeable scholars. AI in Islam may be used as a tool in general, but it cannot be relied upon for issuing fatwas or giving religious rulings. This is because artificial intelligence lacks the ability to properly understand the principles of faith, real-life contexts, and the qualifications required of an Islamic Scholar.

 

Answer: Praise be to Allah.

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)? 

Artificial intelligence (AI) simply means teaching computers to think and act a little like humans. It’s when machines are designed to learn from data, solve problems, make decisions, or recognize patterns—like understanding speech, identifying pictures, or giving answers to questions. For example: When your phone suggests the next word while typing, or when Google Maps finds the fastest route—that’s AI at work.

Who can issue fatwa in Islam?

In Islam, issuing a fatwa is regarded as a matter of great importance. It is often described as “signing on behalf of the divine,” because it involves explaining divine rulings and applying them to new issues that arise in people’s lives. This responsibility is not something that anyone can take lightly; it requires deep knowledge, integrity, and strict adherence to the principles of Shariah.

Not everyone is qualified to issue fatwas. Islam sets clear conditions for those who wish to take on this role, as the Scholar bears a heavy responsibility in guiding the community. Among the essential qualifications are:

• Being a Muslim of sound faith.
• Having reached adulthood and possessing full mental capacity.
• Demonstrating good character and strong moral conduct.
• Attaining advanced knowledge of Shariah and its sources.
• Possessing intelligence, wisdom, and the ability to apply rulings to real-life situations.

The role of a Scholar or Mufti is not limited to theoretical knowledge; rather also requires understanding the realities of society and applying Islamic rulings with wisdom and justice. AI in Islam fails at this front, because issuing fatwas in Islam directly affects people’s lives, scholars emphasize that only those with the right qualifications should take up this responsibility.

Imam ash-Shafa`i (may Allah have mercy on him) said, according to a report narrated by al-Khatib al-Baghdadi with his isnad in Al-Faqih wal-Mutafaqqih (2/331):

“It is not permissible for anyone to issue a religious verdict (fatwa) except a man who has knowledge of the Book of Allah, what abrogates and is abrogated, its clear and unambiguous verses, its meanings and how to apply them to life, which passages are Makki (revealed before the Hijrah) and which are Madani (revealed after the Hijrah), its intended purpose and reasons for revelation…

… After that, he should also have knowledge of the hadiths of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and what abrogates and what is abrogated; he should have as much knowledge of hadith as he has of the Qur’an. He should also have knowledge of the Arabic language, poetry and other branches of knowledge that he needs to know…

… Furthermore, he should be known to be fair-minded, not talk too much, be aware of real life in different regions, and in addition to all that, he should have deep insight and intuition. If he is like that, then he can speak and give fatwas about what is halal and haram. But if he is not like that, then he has no right to discuss issues of knowledge or to issue fatwas”. End quote. (1)

Ibn al-Qayyim said in A`lam al-Muwaqqi`in `an Rabbi l-`Alamin (1/189):

“The mufti and judge will not be able to give correct fatwas and verdicts unless they understand two things:

First of all, they should understand the real situation and have detailed knowledge of it, and be able to work out what really happened on the basis of circumstantial details, signs and indications, until they have reached a deep understanding of what really happened.

Secondly, they should understand what must be done in this real-life novel issue, which is understanding the ruling of Allah that He has ordained in His Book or on the lips of His Messenger (ﷺ) that is applicable to this novel issue, then he must apply the one to the other…

… So whoever strives his utmost and puts great effort into these two things will inevitably have either two rewards or one reward. The scholar is the one who, by means of understanding the reality of the novel issue and becoming fully acquainted with it, will be able to work out the ruling of Allah and His Messenger…” (2)

No matter how advanced it becomes, artificial intelligence can never fulfill the essential conditions required to issue fatwas in Islam. Since it lacks the necessary qualifications of knowledge, wisdom, and piety, there is no valid Shariah-based justification for relying on AI to provide Islamic rulings.

Instead, matters of fatwa must always be referred to qualified scholars and specialists—those who are firmly grounded in Islamic knowledge and recognized for their integrity and piety, as Allah says: {So [O people] ask those who have knowledge, if you do not know} [An-Nahl 16:43].

AI in Islam and its implementation

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an influential tool in modern times, with applications across the sciences, humanities, and even Islamic studies. When it comes to AI in Islam, it is treated like any other tool: its use is permissible as long as it does not conflict with the principles of Shariah.

The foundational rule in Islamic law is that things are allowed unless proven otherwise. Shariah is designed to protect human interests—spiritually and materially—by encouraging what is beneficial and preventing what is harmful, both in this life and the hereafter.

Difference between Consulting Islamic Websites and AI in Islam

The key difference between AI and consulting Islamic websites for fatwas lies in the source of the rulings. On reputable Islamic websites, fatwas are issued by qualified scholars or teams of knowledgeable researchers, and the website’s role is simply to publish these rulings on behalf of the issuing authority.

If the scholar or organization is trustworthy and recognized for both knowledge and good character, their fatwas can generally be relied upon—provided the ruling matches the question asked and no discrepancies exist.

In contrast, AI attempts to mimic human reasoning to generate answers, relying solely on data uploaded to cyberspace and processed through statistical and mathematical algorithms.

Unlike qualified scholars, AI does not follow the established logical and methodological steps used in Islamic jurisprudence to reach accurate conclusions, making its fatwas unreliable and unsuitable as a substitute for human expertise.

Limitations of content generated by AI in Islam

The potential problems and limitations of answers generated by artificial intelligence stem from several key factors.

1) AI cannot verify the reliability of the sources it uses, which means the information behind its fatwas may be inaccurate or misleading. AI draws on data from a vast array of online content, including websites, written materials, audio, and video clips, in multiple languages and from sources that may be non-Islamic, deviant, or distorted.

2) AI fails to account for contextual factors that can influence a fatwa, such as differences in customs, local traditions, or specific conditions and exemptions that must be considered. It also cannot evaluate the potential consequences, benefits, or harms of actions in the way that an experienced mufti can when addressing a unique issue presented by a person seeking guidance. These limitations make fatwas generated by AI in Islam unreliable and highlight the importance of consulting qualified Islamic scholars for accurate religious rulings.

3) One major risk of relying on AI in Islam is that it can present false or fabricated information as if it were accurate and reliable. This may include incorrect names, numbers, statistics, or other details that appear objective and trustworthy but are entirely made up and do not exist in any credible sources or websites. Such misleading outputs are commonly referred to as “AI hallucinations”!

4) Artificial intelligence can be intentionally trained to adopt certain beliefs or principles, which may introduce bias from the very beginning. This means that AI systems could favor ideas and concepts that conflict with Islamic teachings on topics such as faith, family, and other moral or social issues. Such biases can directly affect the reliability of answers generated by AI in Islam related to these matters, highlighting the importance of consulting qualified scholars for authentic guidance in Islam rather than relying on AI for religious or ethical rulings.

Risks in Responses generated by AI in Islam

AI-generated answers are derived from datasets that may contain inaccuracies, lack verification, or originate from unreliable sources.(3)

These responses may also reflect algorithmic biases and fail to address the nuanced differences in individual circumstances that are often decisive in Islamic rulings. A recent evaluation of Islamic-oriented chatbots revealed significant methodological inconsistencies, including the misattribution of Quranic verses and hadith as well as the absence of consistent juristic frameworks. (4)

Such shortcomings render AI-generated fatwas unreliable and potentially misleading.

Permissible Uses of AI in Islam

Although AI cannot replace the authority of qualified scholars, it may be used as a supplementary tool in academic and religious research. Researchers may employ AI to collect preliminary materials, summarize large corpora, or explore general themes, provided that all information is subsequently verified against authentic sources. (5)

Since AI itself is neutral, the ruling on AI in Islam depends on how it is applied. Using AI in ways that support knowledge, research, education, or public benefit aligns with Islamic values.

However, employing it for haram purposes, harming others, spreading corruption, or deceiving people is prohibited. Similarly, programming AI with false data to mislead users is considered impermissible, as it involves dishonesty and corruption.

Scholars and researchers warn against becoming overly dependent on AI. Over-reliance on AI in Islam—especially when replacing human interactions and responsibilities—may cause serious social and ethical issues.

Islam emphasizes human accountability, compassion, and genuine relationships, which machines cannot replicate. In this capacity, AI functions as an auxiliary instrument rather than an authoritative source. Therefore, while AI can be helpful, it should never substitute essential human roles in society.

Conclusion

The role of AI in Islam is clear: it can be a valuable tool when used responsibly, but it must remain within the limits of Shariah. Its benefits lie in research, education, and support, while its dangers appear when misused or relied upon for tasks beyond its capacity, such as issuing fatwas.

Muslims are therefore encouraged to benefit from AI in Islam without compromising Islamic principles or neglecting the essential role of human scholarship and morality.

Wallahualam (and Allah knows best)!

Footnotes:

1. 1. https://shamela.ws/book/622/6768
   2. https://shamela.ws/book/29911/334
   3. Ifta’ Department of Jordan (2023). *Artificial Intelligence and Religious Rulings*. General Iftaa’ Department, Amman.
   4. Tsvetkova, M. (2023). “Faith and Fatwas: Evaluating Islamic Chatbots.” *Journal of Digital Islam Research*, Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 33–52.
   5. Aliftaa’ Department (2023). *Guidelines on the Use of Artificial Intelligence for Islamic Research*. Amman.