Ushul Fiqh Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence in Islamic Legal Determination

Abstract

The rapid development of artificial intelligence has significantly influenced various aspects of human life, including Islamic legal scholarship. This article is written to examine the position and utilization of artificial intelligence in the process of Islamic legal determination (istinbath al-hukm) from the perspective of ushul fiqh. The study employs a normative-qualitative approach with conceptual and analytical methods, drawing upon primary ushul fiqh literature and contemporary technological discourse. The analysis demonstrates that artificial intelligence can function as a supportive instrument (wasilah) in facilitating ijtihad, particularly in textual analysis, data processing, and comparative jurisprudence. Nevertheless, artificial intelligence cannot replace the role of the mujtahid, who possesses legal competence (ahliyyah) and moral responsibility in deriving rulings. Based on fiqhiyyah principles and maqasid al-shariah, the application of artificial intelligence is permissible only under specific conditions: it must not contradict explicit scriptural texts (nash), must avoid encroaching upon absolute ijtihad, and must remain under the supervision of qualified scholars. The implication of this study affirms that artificial intelligence can be accepted as a supportive instrument in the development of Islamic law, provided that human authority and the foundational principles of Shariah are preserved.