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AI Use Must Be Guided by Faith, Not Emotion, Says Malaysian Preacher
🇲🇾 Malaysia /Technology

AI Use Must Be Guided by Faith, Not Emotion, Says Malaysian Preacher

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Analysis Named sources Context piece
  • Islamic teachings emphasize using artificial intelligence (AI) guided by faith and ethics for beneficial purposes, not emotional impulses.
  • AI itself is neutral; its morality depends on human intent and application, aligning with Islamic principles of knowledge and well-being.
  • Misuse of AI for deceit, defamation, or misinformation is forbidden and considered unjust, regardless of the technology used.

The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) presents new opportunities but requires guidance from faith, ethics, and Sharia principles to prevent societal harm, according to Islamic preacher Muhammad Hafifi Don.

Therefore, AI can be a means that brings great benefit in education, research, da'wah, health, business, and life management if used correctly.

— Muhammad Hafifi DonExplaining the potential positive applications of AI within an Islamic framework.

Islam does not reject technological progress, viewing knowledge as a divine gift to be utilized for human welfare. Historically, Islamic civilizations thrived by embracing knowledge in fields like mathematics and medicine, demonstrating the importance of leveraging advancements responsibly.

AI, in itself, is devoid of moral value; its ethical standing is determined by human intention and application. If used to aid humanity, solve societal problems, or spread beneficial knowledge, AI aligns with Islamic permissibility and can even be considered an act of worship if done with good intentions.

So, if AI is used to help humans, solve societal problems, and spread beneficial knowledge, it is included in permissible matters and can even be an act of worship if accompanied by good intentions.

— Muhammad Hafifi DonDefining the conditions under which AI usage is considered ethically sound in Islam.

Conversely, employing AI for deception, slander, spreading obscenity, manipulating facts, or damaging reputations is strictly prohibited and contradicts Islamic law. This principle extends to the admonition against exceeding limits in all matters, including technological use.

But, if it is used for fraud, slander, spreading obscene content, manipulating facts, or damaging someone's dignity, then it clearly contradicts Sharia.

— Muhammad Hafifi DonOutlining the prohibited uses of AI according to Islamic principles.

Challenges such as AI-generated fake content, deepfakes, and misinformation pose significant risks by misleading the public. The preacher stressed that deception remains forbidden, even when facilitated by AI, and spreading falsehoods constitutes a grave sin involving slander, injustice, and betrayal of trust. Muslims are urged to verify information before belief or dissemination, especially given AI's capacity to create convincing but false content.

Technology that is sophisticated does not change religious law. Fraud remains forbidden even if done using AI. Therefore, creating fake videos, pictures designed to slander, or articles deliberately made to confuse the public are considered acts of zalim (tyranny/injustice) towards others.

— Muhammad Hafifi DonEmphasizing that AI does not alter fundamental religious prohibitions against harmful actions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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