In pursuit of its mission to monitor global fatwa trends and support informed religious discourse in an increasingly digitalized age, the Global Fatwa Index (GFI) at Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta continues to play a central role in analyzing and guiding the development of fatwas in response to emerging technologies. In preparation for the 10th International Fatwa Conference—will be held under the theme “The Making of the Competent Mufti in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”—the GFI has released a landmark study titled “Ethical Frameworks for the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Supporting Fatwa Work.”
This timely study offers an in-depth analysis of prominent fatwas addressing artificial intelligence across both the Arab and Islamic worlds. It also presents practical models of how AI technologies are currently being applied in religious contexts—with a particular focus on their use in the field of fatwa issuance.
The study will be formally presented during the GFI Workshop, taking place on the sidelines of the 10th International Conference hosted by Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta under the auspices of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, on August 12 and 13.
The GFI Workshop is expected to bring together leading scholars and experts from the fields of fatwa studies, artificial intelligence, and the humanities. With such a diverse and high-caliber group of contributors, the event will serve as a vital platform for rigorous intellectual exchange, generating forward-thinking insights and practical recommendations to support the ethical integration of AI into contemporary fatwa work.
At its core, the study seeks to examine the impact of technological advancements—especially the rise of AI—on religious authority and the fatwa process. Among its key objectives are: analyzing the nature and content of contemporary fatwas related to modern technologies; identifying the concerns and inquiries of petitioners about AI tools; assessing the institutional response to these concerns; and exploring the level of international collaboration among fatwa bodies in adapting to technological transformations.
The study culminates in a proposed ethical framework comprising a series of targeted recommendations for decision-makers and specialists. These recommendations are designed to maximize the benefits of AI while safeguarding the foundational principles of Islamic jurisprudence and the integrity of the fatwa process. Emphasis is placed on the importance of collective scholarly reasoning (ijtihad), enhancing the skill set of muftis in dealing with technological change, and mitigating potential harms associated with AI tools.
