Someone asked: (Is it permissible to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in issuing fatwas or in the study and application of Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh? If permissible, what are the limitations and guidelines?)
While artificial intelligence can be used as a tool to access and verify information, it cannot be a substitute for a reliable authority or source of knowledge in Islamic law. The tradition of Isnad, or the chain of narration, is fundamental to the authenticity of Islamic knowledge, ensuring it is passed down from reliable scholars and ultimately traced back to the Prophet (peace be upon him). Therefore, AI-generated rulings should always be cross-referenced with reputable Islamic sources.
Religious knowledge is best acquired from authentic sources. Allah says, {Ask those endowed with knowledge if you don’t know.} (An-Nahl 16:43)
Allah has promised to preserve this religion by ensuring it is passed on from generation to generation by reliable authorities. Our scholars insisted on Isnad, which entails documenting the sources.
It assures that our knowledge is traced back to the source: the Prophet (peace be upon him).
Imam Ibn al-Mubarak said, “Isnad is part of religion; if not for Isnad, everyone would have attributed whatever he or she wanted to religion.”
Ibn Sirin said, “This knowledge is part of religion, so be forewarned from whom you are receiving knowledge.”
Therefore, we must not rely on sources other than reputable Islamic scholars or acceptable sources of Islamic knowledge to form a credible and authentic view of Islam.
If you can verify the integrity of the information provided by artificial intelligence, you can use it. However, it cannot be a substitute for a reliable authority or source of knowledge.
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