God’s command to Prophet Nuh to build the Ark under His observance and inspiration (Surah Hud, 11: 37) illustrates that the Ark was more than a technological feat; it was a divinely guided tool for saving humanity. Likewise, technological advancements must align with a greater purpose—serving humanity within the bounds of justice and morality.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the most significant technological developments of our time, with roots stretching deep into the history of Muslim intellectual contributions. It is essential to recognise that the relationship between intelligence and ethics has long been a point of reflection for Muslim scholars.
Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali describes intelligence as a unique attribute that elevates the status of human beings above plants, animals and even angels, allowing the pursuit of scientific and ethical knowledge. Thus, intelligence is deeply intertwined with moral judgment and action.
Recent research done by AI researchers and cognitive scientists arrived at the conclusion that advancements in cognitive science have enabled the design of AI systems which can perform specific mental processes such as learning, problem-solving, and pattern recognition without replicating the full spectrum of human thought, including emotions and ethical reasoning. However, this also acknowledges that AI lacks human-like consciousness and emotional depth, limiting its capacity for judgment and ethics.
On the one hand, framing AI as cognitive intelligence helps maintain realistic expectations; while AI can handle complex tasks, it remains a tool—not a substitute for human intelligence. On the other hand, AI lacks moral agency, and thus, it falls upon human developers to infuse it with ethical considerations. Therefore, the distinction between tool and intelligence becomes crucial as we explore how to shape AI to align with moral principles.
Historically, Muslim scholars significantly contributed to fields that would later form the foundation of AI. For instance, in the 9th century, Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khawarizmi developed algebra and mathematical principles that became the basis for algorithms, which in turn are directly related to modern computational systems.
Similarly, the Banu Musa brothers, al-Jazari, and Taqi al-Din pioneered early machines and automata, which were remarkable for their time. These innovations mirror today’s aspirations for robotics and AI, striving for autonomy.
Across the centuries and in the realm of logic and reasoning, thinkers like al-Farabi, Ibn Sina, al-Ghazali, al-Abhari, Ibn Rushd, Tashkoprizade and many others laid the groundwork for logical systems that would influence AI development, underpinning decision-making frameworks.
Whether aiming to create a rational and systematic approach to understanding the relations between the universe and human society, addressing philosophical challenges, or establishing a more rigorous and structured approach to logical reasoning, these thinkers were motivated by a combination of intellectual curiosity, religious devotion, and a desire to improve human understanding and knowledge.
For certainly, these foundations paved the way for Lotfi Zadeh’s invention of fuzzy logic in 1965, enabling machines to handle uncertainty and mimic human decision-making more closely.
Given these contributions, Muslims hold a unique responsibility to guide AI’s future. The concept of “making” or “producing” extends beyond technical achievement to an intention of benefiting humanity.
As a tool designed to replicate cognitive functions, AI must be developed with ethical considerations at the forefront. Muslims, with their rich ethical tradition and historical contributions to science and technology, are uniquely positioned to guide AI’s development and use. The inheritance of scholars like al-Khawarizmi and the Banu Musa reflects a worldview that sees technology as a means to enhance everyday living while remaining within divinely ordained limits.
The contributions of Muslim scholars and thinkers offer a multidisciplinary foundation that has shaped both AI and its ethical development. By drawing on their intellectual heritage and ethical teachings, Muslims today can shape a future where AI becomes a tool for human benefit rather than a source of harm. They have the responsibility to continue this legacy, ensuring that AI serves the greater good, fostering justice, and elevating human potential in meaningful and purposeful ways.
