Artificial Intelligence and Religious Subjectivity in Contemporary Islam: Navigating Faith in the Age of Technology

Abstract

This article commences with an exploration of the intricate relationship between religious belief and practice, emphasizing the importance of these elements in shaping individual and collective identity. Drawing from postmodernist critiques, we analyze the evolving nature of religious subjectivity in an era dominated by technological and industrial advancements. In doing so, we engage with key insights from the Holy Qur'ān, as well as classical and contemporary scholarly interpretations of the corpus Islamicus, to establish a foundational framework for understanding the spiritual and ethical challenges faced by modern Islamic societies. Additionally, we review the extensive literature on the dehumanizing impact of industrial technology, focusing particularly on how it fosters the alienation of religious consciousness. This alienation, we argue, threatens the essential core of spiritual self-fulfillment and calls for the urgent implementation of both individual and collective safeguards. These safeguards, we propose, should be grounded in the higher objectives of Islamic law, or Maqāṣid al-Shariʻah, which provide a comprehensive framework for addressing contemporary ethical dilemmas. In light of recent developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its integration into the digital sphere, we further posit that this technological advancement represents a significant acceleration of the dehumanizing trends already set in motion by industrialization. The ethical challenges posed by AI, particularly in terms of its impact on human autonomy and spiritual well-being, necessitate an informed and proactive response from Islamic societies. To this end, we conclude that Islamic communities must urgently seek guidance from their rich juridical and ethical traditions to navigate the complexities of AI and its societal implications.