What is the ruling on using artificial intelligence applications to obtain fatwas? I often turn to various AI applications to seek Islamic legal rulings on certain issues.

Artificial intelligence is the ability of computers or computer-controlled robots to perform tasks associated with intelligent beings. The term AI is often used to refer to the development of systems that possess human-like cognitive processes such as logical thinking, semantic analysis, and experiential learning. In this specific sense, AI could be used in various applications, including medical diagnostics, search engines, speech and handwriting recognition, and chatbots. See: Bonnet, Alain. Artificial Intelligence: Promise and Performance, p. 11.

 

The use of AI technology is, in principle, permissible based on the words of Allah Almighty, “And He has made of service to you whatever is in the heavens and on earth; it is all from Him” (Quran, 45:13). In a hadith narrated by Abu al-Dardaa`, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), said, “Whatever Allah has made permissible in His Book is lawful, whatever He has proscribed is prohibited, and whatever He has remained silent about is pardoned, so accept the pardon of Allah” (recorded by al-Hakim in his Mustadrak; he deemed its chain of transmission to be sound).

Though it is permissible in essence, the ruling of Islamic law on AI is contingent on the purpose for which it is used. This means that if it is used as a means for something lawful, recommended, obligatory, disliked, or prohibited, it takes on the same ruling based on the maxims “The means take the same ruling as the goals” and “A ruling is determined by the presence or absence of its effective cause,” as Imam al-Izz Ibn Abd al-Salam explains in his book Al-Fawa`id (p. 43).

 

The guidance of Islamic law in utilizing all innovations and advancements to serve humanity

Islamic law gives particular weight to anything that benefits both the individual and society, and to utilizing all innovations and advancements to serve humanity. This includes keeping abreast of the groundbreaking developments across all scientific and technical fields to promote the values of Islam, demonstrate its equitable principles and rulings, and highlight its rich civilization, thereby ensuring benefit for all. This is considered beneficial use of what Allah Almighty has placed at the service of humanity on earth and made permissible. Allah Almighty says, “It is He who created for you all of that which is on the earth” (Quran, 2:29).

 

The importance of fatwa

A fatwa is the clarification of the ruling of Islamic law in response to a question from a petitioner. A fatwa carries such great gravity and a lofty status that Allah Almighty attributed it to Himself and to His prophets in many Quranic verses such as, “And they request from you, [O Muhammad], a [legal] ruling concerning women” (Quran, 4:127), “They request from you a [legal] ruling. Say, " Allah gives you a ruling concerning one having neither descendants nor ascendants [as heirs]" (Quran, 4:176), and “[He said], "Joseph, O man of truth, explain to us about … " (Quran, 12:46).

 

Issuing fatwas, therefore, is both a noble Islamic duty and a weighty legal task through which the mufti undertakes a matter that originally proceeds from the Lord of the worlds and is himself entrusted with His law and religion. Imam al-Nawawi stated in Adab Al-Mufti (pp. 13-14), “Know that ifta` is a weighty and meritorious position because a mufti is the heir of the prophets, peace and blessings be upon them; he undertakes a communal obligation, but is at risk of making mistakes. For this reason, it was said that a mufti is signatory to the words of Allah Almighty.”

 

The most important requirements for a mufti

Since a mufti is the representative of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in conveying rulings, instructing people, and warning them against wrongdoing so that they may be heedful, he must fulfill certain prerequisites that qualify him for this role. Among the most important conditions for a mufti are that he be a legally accountable Muslim; honest; trustworthy; upright and morally sound; insightful; of sound mind and intellectual integrity; practicing proper conduct both personally and publicly; capable of deriving rulings; and vigilant. Whoever lacks these requirements cannot be relied upon in their pronouncements, even if they are mujtahids. See: Adab Al-Mufti by Ibn Salah (p. 86).

 

The use AI applications in issuing fatwas

A mufti coveys to the people the rulings of Allah Almighty in accordance with His command. He is well-versed in Islamic legal rulings as they apply to our lived reality, grounded evidences and proof, and possesses extensive knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence. In contrast, when questions are posed to AI applications, experience has shown that they fall short in many essential standards of quality, scholarly, and Islamic legal precision required in this field. The answers may be right, wrong, or even contradictory to established rulings. There is no doubt that this is incompatible with fatwa, which is meant to provide clarification of unclear legal matters of Islamic law. Furthermore, the results generated by these applications are not grounded in any sound scientific methodology, foundational principles that guide the derivation of rulings, knowledge of authoritative sources, or the relevant sources to consult. In addition, these applications lack the capacity to assess the initial information and the conclusions drawn regarding the issue under study.

Moreover, it is established that the rulings based on customs and the interests of people accommodate changes in time, place, circumstances, and people. Imam al-Qarafi stated in Al-Ihkam fi Tamyeez Al-Fatwawa ‘an Al-Ahkam (p. 218), “Applying the rulings that were established based on customs after those customs have been changed is contrary to consensus and reflects ignorance in religion. Every ruling in Islamic law that is based on customs changes accordingly when the custom itself changes.”

 

The ruling

Based on the above, it is impermissible in Islamic law to rely on AI applications to obtain a fatwa. Despite technological advances, no current applications match the human flexibility possessed by those equipped with the tools necessary for issuing fatwas, including comprehensive knowledge of the relevant sciences, and the ability to consider the shifting contexts of time, place, and the particular circumstances surrounding each fatwa. While some applications have reached human expert and professional levels in performing certain tasks, they remain outside the scope of fatwa.

And Allah Almighty knows best.