Question: Is it permissible to rely on AI-powered systems for Islamic legal rulings and fatawā?
Answer: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ، الْـحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى أَشْرَفِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ، نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ، وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ.
The field of iftāʾ (legal response) is rooted in deep knowledge, ijtihād, and mastery of the uṣūl and qawāʿid of Sharīʿah. Allah says:
﴿ فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ﴾
“Then ask the people of knowledge if you do not know.” (Sūrat al-Naḥl: 43)
Fatwā is not merely the transmission of textual information, but an application of divine law upon particular realities. The one who issues fatwā must fulfill conditions including sound knowledge, upright character, understanding of circumstances (waqʿ), and training in deriving rulings from the Qurʾān, Sunnah, ijmāʿ, qiyās, and other principles.
AI-powered tools and systems, even when trained on vast Islamic texts, lack the capacity for moral reasoning, intention, and contextual judgment. They may aid in retrieving data or summarizing positions, but they cannot assume the role of a muftī or scholar.
The scholars of usūl al-fiqh define fatwā as a legal clarification issued by a qualified scholar upon request, addressing a specific case. This role cannot be fulfilled by a machine lacking discernment, taqwā, or liability.
Using AI may be allowed as a preliminary aid in gathering knowledge or reviewing scholarly positions, provided the user is qualified or cross-checks with those who are. It is impermissible to treat such systems as authoritative sources for independent legal rulings.
Therefore, AI tools are not to be relied upon for issuing or following Sharʿī rulings. The obligation remains to refer to qualified scholars and juristic councils whose guidance is rooted in fiqh and accountability.
وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ.