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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

AI as a tool for religious delivery, not a primary reference: Indonesian Ministry

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Analysis Official statement Context piece
  • The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs warns against using AI as a primary source for understanding Islamic teachings.
  • AI, being a tool created by humans, can only process and present data based on human input and existing digital information.
  • While AI can be a helpful tool, religious guidance and fatwas should still rely on qualified ulama and established Islamic scholarly traditions.

The rapid advancement and widespread use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) present new challenges, particularly in how individuals seek and understand religious information. While AI offers convenience for tasks ranging from creating presentations to finding quick tips, its application in religious matters requires caution, according to Indonesia's Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag).

AI is a tool that follows the commands (prompts) given by humans; it does not operate on its own.

— Ministry of Religious AffairsExplaining the nature of AI and its limitations in religious contexts.

A recent viral trend involving AI-generated "preacher" content on platforms like TikTok has raised concerns. These AI models, directed by human prompts, can mimic religious discourse, leading some followers to treat them as authoritative sources for Islamic teachings. However, Kemenag emphasizes that AI should not replace the role of qualified religious scholars (ulama) in providing guidance and issuing fatwas.

It is important to be careful and wise in using AI as a means of seeking religious information and not to make AI the primary reference in understanding Islamic teachings, even replacing the position of ulama.

— Ministry of Religious AffairsWarning against over-reliance on AI for religious understanding.

The ministry advises the public, especially the younger generation who are digitally native, to be discerning when using AI for religious information. Any output from AI must be validated and verified. Islam's legal framework traditionally relies on four sources: the Quran, the Sunnah (teachings and practices of Prophet Muhammad), Ijmak (consensus of scholars), and Qiyas (analogical reasoning). These sources are interpreted through ijtihad, a process requiring deep knowledge and understanding, traditionally undertaken by learned and pious ulama.

The results obtained must be validated and verified before being used as a reference. Because, for religious matters, especially fatwas, the primary reference remains the ulama and religious institutions that have authority.

— Ministry of Religious AffairsStressing the need for verification and the ultimate authority of scholars.

AI operates by processing vast amounts of data available online, which may not always be accurate or contextually appropriate for religious interpretation. The ministry stresses that the established chain of knowledge (sanad) within Islamic scholarship, maintained for centuries, remains the authoritative basis for understanding and practicing Islam. Relying solely on AI risks misinterpreting religious doctrines and practices.

Making AI a primary source for digging into Islamic law or teachings is wrong.

— Ministry of Religious AffairsDirectly stating the prohibition of using AI as a primary religious source.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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