From Virtual Ifta’ to AI Islam: Analyzing the Emergence and Impact of AI Fatwa Generators

This paper examines the emergence and impact of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) fatwa generators, also known as fatwa engines, in and on contemporary Islamic belief and practice. It contributes to the arena of digital humanities due to its use of humanistic research into digital objects and culture, and to the field of digital Islam by offering a survey and analysis of these fatwa-generating applications. It uses small-scale data mining as well as visual and textual content analysis to understand the characteristics of these fatwa generators, and draws upon relevant literature in both fields in its analysis. It argues that the disclaimers offered by each application reveal a reticence to fully blur the historical distinctions between fatwas as authoritative, actionable jurisprudence and all other religious advice, no matter how well intended or grounded in scripture.