As artificial intelligence rapidly permeates nearly every facet of modern life—from everyday internet searches and complex data analysis to software engineering and creative writing—scholars and technologists alike are increasingly examining its broader societal and environmental implications. Among the growing questions facing contemporary believers is how traditional ethical frameworks, particularly Islamic principles regarding resource conservation and moderation, apply to modern digital infrastructure like AI models.
Addressing these emerging concerns, prominent Islamic scholar Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat has provided a comprehensive legal and ethical framework regarding the use of artificial intelligence, search engines, and coding tools. His guidance emphasizes a balanced, purposeful approach to technology, drawing a direct parallel between the resource-intensive nature of modern computing and traditional Islamic prohibitions against wastefulness.
The Islamic Perspective on Technological Tools
The discussion surrounding artificial intelligence begins with a foundational premise regarding innovation and utility within Islamic theology. Technology, when viewed through the lens of traditional jurisprudence, is generally categorized as a tool. Like many of the worldly gifts bestowed upon humanity, its moral status is determined by how it is applied.
Shaykh Abdul-Rahim notes that artificial intelligence is fundamentally a useful and beneficial tool. Within a believer’s framework, the gifts and resources provided by the Creator are meant to be utilized either to directly fulfill religious obligations or to enhance life in this world and prepare for the next. Consequently, artificial intelligence should be evaluated through this same utilitarian and purposeful lens.
However, this permissibility comes with clear boundaries. The primary caveat centers on the concept of moderation and the avoidance of excess—known in Islamic tradition as israf. Just as material goods and natural resources can be mismanaged or consumed beyond actual need, digital resources and the vast computational power required to run modern AI systems demand a level of conscious stewardship.
Environmental Concerns and the Analogy of Waste
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence has brought environmental scrutiny, primarily due to the massive amounts of electricity and water required to power and cool the data centers that train and operate large language models. While individual users often interact with AI through simple chat interfaces or search queries on their personal devices, the backend infrastructure demands significant global resources.
In addressing whether using AI constitutes wasting resources, Shaykh Abdul-Rahim highlights the direct impact that wasteful habits can have on the broader environment. He compares the unnecessary or frivolous use of AI to pointlessly burning wood in a residential garden every day—an action whose cumulative effect degrades air quality and negatively impacts the surrounding atmosphere.
To illustrate the gravity of resource conservation, the scholar invokes a well-known historical narration involving the Prophet Muhammad and the Companion Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqas. While Sa‘d was performing wudu—the ritual ablution before prayer—the Prophet observed him using a seemingly excessive amount of water and asked, "What is this wastefulness, O Sa‘d?" When Sa‘d expressed surprise, asking whether water used for an act of worship could genuinely be wasted, the Prophet replied in the affirmative, stating that wastefulness applies even if one is performing ablution at the banks of a flowing river.
This principle establishes that resource consumption must always be measured against actual utility, regardless of how abundant a resource may initially appear to be. Because running complex AI queries contributes to carbon emissions and high energy and water consumption in server farms, indiscriminate or frivolous usage carries an ethical weight.
Practical Applications: Search Engines, Coding, and Daily Use
In light of these environmental and ethical considerations, everyday technological choices are coming under closer scrutiny. Users have increasingly raised practical questions regarding how to navigate these digital tools without compromising their ethical and religious values.
Among the specific concerns addressed by scholars is whether internet users are obligated to abandon mainstream search engines that integrate artificial intelligence in favor of alternative platforms that do not rely on such technology. While the theological guidance does not mandate a strict migration away from AI-integrated platforms entirely, it advises users to exercise discernment and purpose.
Furthermore, the question of professional utility—such as utilizing artificial intelligence for software development and coding—is viewed with greater leniency when it serves a clear, productive purpose. Because writing code, solving technical problems, and building applications constitute tangible, productive work that enhances professional and personal life, using AI for these functions aligns with the principle of employing beneficial tools constructively.
Consequently, Shaykh Abdul-Rahim recommends that individuals keep their usage of artificial intelligence strictly aligned with what is genuinely useful and beneficial for their daily lives, religious practices, and long-term goals. Using AI for frivolous, trivial, or purely time-wasting matters is discouraged, as it contributes to unnecessary resource expenditure without delivering proportional value.
Broader Context and Related Scholarly Opinions
The guidance provided on artificial intelligence builds upon a wider body of contemporary Islamic jurisprudence addressing modern financial transactions, digital content generation, and consumer habits. Scholars across various institutions have increasingly tackled the intersection of technology and religious law.
Previous legal opinions issued by contemporary scholars have explored related topics, such as the legal definition of wasting money—which jurisprudence defines broadly as any usage that exceeds genuine need. Other discussions have clarified that spending on lawful enjoyment and personal recreation does not automatically constitute forbidden extravagance, provided that mandatory charitable obligations, such as zakat, are fulfilled and the spending remains within reasonable bounds.
Regarding content creation, specialized rulings from Islamic legal experts have confirmed that utilizing AI writing tools to generate articles, reports, and other media is generally permissible, provided the final output is lawful, truthful, and used within legal boundaries. However, questions concerning intellectual property, copyright infringement, and the sourcing data used to train these models remain active areas of discussion among legal scholars and ethicists globally.
As artificial intelligence continues to evolve and integrate deeper into the global infrastructure, religious guidance emphasizes that technological advancement must be balanced with moral responsibility, environmental stewardship, and a mindful approach to resource consumption.